Make-Ahead Paleo Salmon Cakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep salmon cakes from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

Then you can scoop the cakes and put them on a sheet pan to cool down in the fridge once again. The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely.

To freeze: Form salmon cakes, but do not broil. Place them on a baking sheet; freeze until firm. Wrap each cake in plastic; transfer to resealable freezer bags. Store up to 1 month.

You can use wheat flour, oat flour or mashed potatoes egg substitute for binder in salmon patties. Replace each egg with 1/3 cup of flour or mashed potato.

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

TO STORE: Uncooked salmon patties can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Individually wrap each patty and store it in an airtight container. Cooked salmon patties can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. TO REHEAT: Reheat gently in a lightly oiled skillet on the stove.

A perfectly cooked salmon patty should be moist and tender inside with a slightly crispy exterior. If your salmon patty has a grey or mushy texture on the inside, the color may come from the skin side of the flesh, but if it's mushy, it may be undercooked.

The appealing pink-brown color of salmon patties would fade alongside pan-browned or baked potatoes or brown rice. Conversely, the pink fish brightens the plate when placed alongside green, yellow, bright red or white foods such as broccoli, summer squash, roasted tomatoes or white asparagus.

Can You Freeze Salmon Patties? Yes! But it's best to freeze the salmon patties before cooking them.

Is it better to freeze salmon patties cooked or uncooked? ›

Yes! You can freeze them before or after cooking. If you want to freeze them first, form the patties and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray in the freezer. Give them an hour to solidify, then pack them into freezer safe containers or freezer bags.

Make-ahead: Fish cakes can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, then pan fried when ready to eat. To freeze uncooked fish cakes: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Transfer uncooked cakes to a freezer-safe airtight container, then freeze for up to 3 months.

I like this recipe for salmon patties because it uses oatmeal instead of bread crumbs or crackers. I add lemon pepper and salt and pepper so that it has a bit more zing. Also, since I have a dairy allergy, I used rice milk in place of the milk, and fried them in olive oil with a bit of "buttery spread".

In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped salmon, finely chopped onion, bell pepper (if using), fresh herbs, egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Instead of adding breadcrumbs, add flour gradually to the mixture, a tablespoon at a time.

You can also lessen salmon's strong flavor by soaking it in a milk bath for 20 minutes and then draining it and patting it dry before cooking. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.

The proteins in the egg will help bind together your fish cake mix as it cooks. Think of it as your glue: Without it, your fish cakes are going to fall apart. At minimum, you'll want to use one egg for every pound or so of fish so that you have enough “glue.” More is fine, though.

Your recipe is out of balance. Too much sugar, fat or liquid or not enough flour. Or you could be opening your oven before the cake is set and the cake is falling at that point.

Use Salmon WITH the Skin On

Keeping the skin on salmon makes it easier to flip, as the salmon is less likely to fall apart (also recommended for Instant Pot Salmon). Making pan seared salmon with skin insulates it and makes it more difficult to overcook.

Get an oven thermometer and make sure your temperature falls within the right range. You under-mixed the batter. Leaving pockets of dry ingredients that aren't mixed into the batter well enough can cause weak points inside your cake. Make sure to mix your batter thoroughly and that there are no dry spots.