Crispy Salmon Patties & Tangy Lemon Garlic Sauce Recipe

Zesty Salmon Patties with Lemon Garlic Sauce Recipe

Sizzling salmon patties with a zesty lemon garlic sauce bring pure culinary magic to your dinner table.

These golden-brown delights pack a serious flavor punch that turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Fresh salmon mixed with herbs and spices creates a delectable patty that melts in your mouth.

The homemade lemon garlic sauce adds a bright, tangy complement that perfectly balances the rich salmon.

Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these patties work wonderfully as a quick weeknight dinner or impressive weekend meal.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of fresh seafood and bright, creamy sauce.

Get ready to impress everyone at the table with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Kitchen Tools for Salmon Patties Success

  • Large Skillet: Essential for perfectly golden-brown salmon patties with even cooking.
  • Medium Bowl: Ideal for mixing salmon, eggs, and other ingredients smoothly.
  • Disher or Measuring Cup: Helps create uniform-sized salmon patties with precise scooping.
  • Parchment Paper: Provides a clean surface for shaping and resting patties before cooking.
  • Spatula: Helps flip salmon patties gently without breaking them during cooking.
  • Mixing Spoon: Perfect for combining salmon mixture ingredients thoroughly.
  • Small Bowl: Used for preparing the lemon garlic sauce quickly and easily.

How to Make Salmon Patties & Garlic Sauce

Salmon Patty Adventure

  • Salmon Preparation

Grab fresh or canned salmon and break it into delicate, flaky pieces in a roomy mixing bowl. The texture should be light and loose, creating the perfect foundation for your culinary creation.

  • Flavor Fusion

Blend the salmon with a delightful combination of eggs, finely chopped onions, almond flour, vibrant parsley, zesty garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Mix gently, allowing the ingredients to dance together without becoming too compact.

  • Patty Shaping

Using your hands, craft beautiful circular patties. Each one should be compact yet tender, about the size of your palm. Place these delicate discs on a clean surface, ready for their cooking journey.

  • Sizzling Transformation

Heat a skillet with a whisper of neutral oil. When the pan is hot and welcoming, carefully slide the salmon patties into their cooking stage. Let them turn a gorgeous golden brown, creating a crispy exterior that promises deliciousness.

  • Finishing Touches

Cook each side until it reaches a perfect golden hue, typically around 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer the patties to a serving plate, where they’ll await their final garnish of fresh herbs and a tangy lemon-garlic sauce.

Tasty Twists for Lemon Garlic Sauce

  • Prep salmon patties in advance by forming them and storing in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to keep fresh and prevent drying out.
  • Enhance the exterior crunch by rolling patties in panko breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers before pan-frying. This extra step creates a golden, crispy exterior that adds delightful texture to each bite.
  • Cooked salmon patties can be refrigerated for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to maintain their moisture and prevent becoming dry or tough.
  • Elevate the lemon garlic sauce by adding a dash of hot sauce, finely chopped capers, or a sprinkle of fresh dill to create a more complex and exciting flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions for Salmon Patties

  • Coastal Picnic Platter: Arrange salmon patties on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of lemon garlic sauce, fresh lemon wedges, and scattered herb sprigs for a Mediterranean-style presentation that feels like a seaside lunch.
  • Green Salad Companion: Serve salmon patties atop a crisp mixed greens salad with cucumber, dill, and a light vinaigrette, creating a refreshing and protein-packed meal that balances the rich salmon flavor.
  • Brunch Elegance: Pair salmon patties with soft-scrambled eggs, roasted asparagus, and a dollop of the lemon garlic sauce for a sophisticated weekend brunch that impresses guests with minimal effort.
  • Sandwich Transformation: Use salmon patties as a gourmet filling between toasted brioche or ciabatta bread, adding arugula, extra sauce, and a slice of tomato for a delightful sandwich alternative.

Saving Salmon Patties

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep cooked salmon patties in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freezer Friendly Approach: Uncooked salmon patties can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to 2 months. Place formed patties on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe bags for easy meal prep.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed patties in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain crispy exterior and prevent texture breakdown.
  • Quick Meal Transformation: Crumble leftover salmon patties into salads, stuff into wraps, or use as protein topping for grain bowls to create exciting new meal variations without waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 309 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Salmon Patties & Garlic Sauce

For Salmon Base:
  • Salmon: Wild-caught or canned salmon works perfectly, offering rich omega-3 nutrients and tender texture.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together, creating a cohesive patty structure with added protein.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onion, Garlic: Fresh ingredients that provide depth and aromatic complexity to the salmon mixture.
  • Parsley: Bright green herb adding fresh, clean flavor and beautiful visual appeal.
  • Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and balance the salmon's natural taste.
For Binding and Texture:
  • Almond Flour: Gluten-free alternative that helps hold patties together and adds subtle nutty undertones.
For Lemon Garlic Sauce:
  • Mayonnaise: Creamy base that creates smooth, rich sauce consistency.
  • Lemon: Adds zesty brightness and cuts through the richness of salmon.
  • Garlic: Provides sharp, pungent flavor that complements seafood beautifully.
For Cooking and Finishing:
  • Neutral Oil: Helps achieve golden, crispy exterior when pan-frying salmon patties.
  • Fresh Parsley: Garnish that adds color and fresh herbaceous note.
  • Lemon Wedges: Provides optional extra citrus burst when serving.
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Crispy Salmon Patties & Tangy Lemon Garlic Sauce Recipe

Crispy Salmon Patties & Tangy Lemon Garlic Sauce


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Mediterranean-inspired salmon patties shine with crispy edges and zesty lemon garlic sauce. Home cooks will savor this quick protein-packed meal that brings coastal flavors to dinner tables worldwide.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) salmon, fresh or canned
  • ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
  • ½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk lemon garlic sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and uniform. Refrigerate to allow flavors to develop while preparing salmon patties.
  2. Salmon Mixture: Flake cooked salmon into delicate pieces using a fork. Blend eggs, onion, almond flour, parsley, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper into salmon. Fold gently to maintain texture and prevent overworking.
  3. Patty Formation: Shape salmon mixture into uniform patties using clean hands. Arrange on parchment paper, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
  4. Cooking Process: Heat skillet over medium temperature with a thin layer of neutral oil. Once oil shimmers, carefully place patties in the pan, maintaining space between them for proper browning.
  5. Searing and Finishing: Cook patties for 5-6 minutes per side until golden-brown and crispy. Aim for a perfectly bronzed exterior and thoroughly heated interior.
  6. Plating and Serving: Transfer patties to serving plate. Garnish with fresh parsley sprigs and lemon wedges. Drizzle with prepared lemon garlic sauce and serve immediately while patties remain hot and crisp.

Notes

  • Salmon Texture Tip: Break salmon into fine, delicate flakes to ensure a light, tender patty that holds together perfectly without becoming dense or tough.
  • Binding Technique: Use eggs and almond flour as natural binders that help create cohesive patties without compromising the delicate salmon flavor.
  • Oil Temperature Matters: Heat skillet to medium-high with shimmering oil to achieve a golden-brown crispy exterior while maintaining a moist, flaky interior.
  • Sauce Flavor Enhancement: Refrigerate lemon garlic sauce briefly before serving to allow ingredients to blend and intensify their tangy, aromatic profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 309
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 361 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 76 mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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