If you are looking for a dish that’s both delightful and surprisingly simple to make, this Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe is here to win your heart and your taste buds. These salmon patties are perfectly crispy on the outside yet tender and flavorful inside, carrying the freshness of lemon and the warmth of garlic in every bite. The creamy lemon-garlic sauce complements the patties beautifully, elevating this recipe from everyday dinner to an impressive yet effortless treat that you’ll want to share with family and friends again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, each chosen to add depth, texture, and bright flavors. Fresh herbs and lemon juice bring lightness, while almond flour keeps the patties wonderfully moist and gluten-free. The sauce ingredients blend creamy tanginess with a subtle punch that transforms the entire dish.
- Mayonnaise: Adds rich creaminess to the lemon-garlic sauce for perfect balance.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Provides tang and thickness while keeping the sauce light.
- Fresh lemon juice: Gives an irresistible zesty brightness to both patties and sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Infuse bold aromatic flavor, both in the patties and sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of green and a fresh herbal note to elevate every bite.
- Cooked or canned salmon: The star ingredient, offering tender, flaky fish packed with protein.
- Large eggs: Act as the binding agent, keeping patties perfectly shaped.
- Chopped onion: Gives a sweet savory crunch and texture contrast.
- Almond flour: Keeps patties moist and gluten-free with a subtle nutty flavor.
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all flavors.
- Neutral oil: For cooking the patties to crispy golden perfection without overpowering flavors.
How to Make Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Lemon-Garlic Sauce
Start by combining mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, chopped garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. Stir everything until smooth, cover it, and pop it in the refrigerator. This sauce will sit beautifully while you assemble the patties, building its flavors to complement the salmon perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Salmon Patty Ingredients
Flake your cooked or canned salmon into a medium mixing bowl using a fork. Then add the eggs, chopped onion, almond flour, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Gently mix everything until it’s just combined—overmixing can make the patties dense, so keep it light and easy.
Step 3: Form the Patties
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, portion out roughly 2-ounce amounts of your salmon mixture. Roll each into a ball, then flatten gently to create nicely shaped patties. Uniform size helps ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add about a tablespoon of neutral oil. Place the patties in the pan without crowding them, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a crisp golden-brown crust that locks in the moist interior. Transfer the cooked patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil while you finish the batch.
Step 5: Serve with the Lemon-Garlic Sauce
Arrange the salmon patties on your serving plates, generously drizzle the tangy lemon-garlic sauce over them, and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. This combination makes a stunning and satisfying plate every time.
How to Serve Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten your dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a few lemon wedges on the side. The parsley adds a fresh herbal kiss, while the lemon wedges invite your guests to add an extra twist of citrus, making every bite lively and refreshing.
Side Dishes
These salmon patties pair wonderfully with light, fresh sides such as a crisp green salad, roasted asparagus, or even a tangy coleslaw. For a heartier meal, consider serving with creamy mashed potatoes or flavorful quinoa to soak up every bit of that zesty lemon-garlic sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Turn these patties into sliders with soft brioche buns and add pickled onions or avocado slices. Or serve them atop a bed of mixed greens as part of a nourished protein bowl. Whatever way you choose, this Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe lends itself beautifully to creative presentations that impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover salmon patties, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the lemon-garlic sauce separate to maintain its fresh texture and brightness.
Freezing
To freeze, place patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Then transfer them into a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep well for up to two months and can be cooked straight from frozen for convenience.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat to retain their crispy crust or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect crispness.
FAQs
Can I use fresh salmon instead of canned or cooked salmon?
Absolutely! If using fresh salmon, cook it thoroughly first by baking or pan-searing, then flake it. This will give you the same wonderful texture for your patties.
Is almond flour necessary, or can I substitute it with something else?
You can substitute almond flour with breadcrumbs or panko if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free. Keep in mind, the texture might differ slightly, but the patties will still be delicious.
Can I prepare the lemon-garlic sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The sauce actually benefits from chilling and blending flavors for a few hours, so making it a day ahead is a great idea. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Are these patties suitable for meal prep?
They are perfect for meal prep since you can make a batch, store leftovers, and quickly reheat them. It’s an easy way to enjoy a nutritious, flavorful meal throughout the week without extra effort.
What kind of neutral oil works best for frying the patties?
Oils like canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil are ideal because they have a high smoke point and neutral flavor that won’t compete with the salmon’s delicious taste.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard not to get excited about such an approachable and delicious option like this Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe. Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or looking to impress guests without stress, these salmon patties hit all the right notes with their wonderful texture and bright flavors. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals!
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Easy Salmon Patties with Lemon-Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy salmon patties are a delicious and healthy option for a quick meal. Made with cooked or canned salmon, almond flour, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon-garlic sauce, they are flavorful and satisfying. Pan-fried to golden perfection, these patties can be served with fresh lemon wedges and extra parsley for garnish, making for a perfect appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Lemon-Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Salmon Patties
- 16 ounces cooked salmon or 1 (14.75-ounce) can canned salmon, flaked
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup chopped onion
- â…” cup fine almond flour
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- â…› teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- â…› teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
- Neutral oil (approximately 2-4 tablespoons, as needed)
Optional Serving Suggestions
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Make the Lemon-Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. Stir until smooth, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare the Salmon Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, flake the cooked or canned salmon with a fork.
- Add Ingredients: Add eggs, onion, almond flour, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the salmon. Mix until well combined.
- Form the Patties: Scoop out 2-ounce portions of the salmon mixture using a cookie scoop or disher. Roll each portion into a ball, then gently flatten into a patty shape.
- Heat the Skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil.
- Cook the Patties: Cook the patties in batches, without overcrowding the skillet. Fry each side for 5-6 minutes until the patties are golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer cooked patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Repeat the frying process with remaining patties, adding more oil if needed.
- Serve: Place the salmon patties on serving plates, drizzle with the lemon-garlic sauce, and garnish with additional chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh or canned salmon according to availability; canned salmon should be well drained before mixing.
- Almond flour helps bind the patties and keeps them gluten-free; you can substitute with breadcrumbs if preferred but will change the texture.
- If patties are falling apart, add a little more almond flour or an extra egg to them mixture.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before adding patties to achieve a crisp crust.
- Serve with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
