This salmon croquettes recipe is easy and bursting with flavor! Dip in tartar sauce or remoulade for a tasty appetizer or main.

Are you a salmon lover? Here’s one for you: this salmon croquettes recipe! Similar to salmon cakes or salmon patties, they’re simple and incredibly tasty. Mix canned salmon with some spices and breadcrumbs, then pan fry them until golden. Serve dipped into tartar sauce or remoulade, and they’re a total treat! You can serve them as an appetizer or as a meal with some simple sides. Our 6 year old absolutely gobbles these down!

Ingredients in salmon croquettes

Croquettes are deep fried breaded rolls that can be stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables or seafood. (I often enjoyed the Spanish version, croquetas, while living in Madrid.) Salmon croquettes are a Southern-style recipe that’s similar to salmon patties, but fried until even crispier. Another difference between this recipe and our salmon patties is the type of canned salmon. Here’s what you’ll need:

Canned salmon, bone and skin included
Egg
Green onion
Mayonnaise
Worcestershire sauce
Parsley
Old Bay, garlic powder, and salt
Breadcrumbs
Neutral oil, for frying

A note on the canned salmon

For this salmon croquettes recipe, look for a large 15-ounce can of salmon labeled, “Salmon, bones and skin included” or something to that effect. Of course you can use any type of canned salmon, but this type is beneficial because:

It’s cheaper. It makes this recipe very inexpensive.
There’s zero waste. Skin and bones are left in the can because there’s no waste in the canning process.
You can eat the skin and bones: you won’t notice a texture difference! The skin and bones are edible and so soft you won’t notice them in salmon croquettes. And bonus: they have nutrients like calcium and phosphorus.

How to make salmon croquettes

Salmon croquettes are simple to make: the dough comes together quickly and then they just need a quick pan fry in a skillet! It takes just 2 minutes per side. Here are the main steps for how to make salmon croquettes (or see the recipe below for specifics):

Mix: Drain the salmon and shred it with a fork. Mix it with the other ingredients (parsley, spices, breadcrumbs, and mayonnaise).
Form discs: Form the dough into 8 disc shapes that are about ½ inch thick. Or, you can make smaller sized discs to make 10 croquettes.
Pan fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for about 2 minutes per side until lightly browned on both sides.

Dipping sauces

These salmon croquettes taste great on their own, but they’re best dipped into a creamy sauce. We like to serve them with homemade tartar sauce because it’s so simple to make and we often have most of the ingredients on hand. Here are a few dipping sauce ideas:

Tartar Sauce is a mayonnaise-based sauce that’s often served with seafood, made with pickles, capers and seasonings
Remoulade Sauce is mayonnaise-based sauce that originated in France and is popular in US Cajun and Creole cuisine
Creamy Dill Sauce is a mix of sour cream, mayo, lemon, and fresh dill.
Horseradish Sauce is creamy and spicy, featuring sour cream, mayo, horseradish and chives.

What to serve with salmon croquettes

Salmon croquettes work well as an appetizer, though they are tricky for entertaining because they’re best warm right from the skillet! We prefer them as a light lunch or dinner. Here are a few ideas for what to serve with them:

Serve over greens. Serve them on top of greens and use the sauce as a dressing.
Add a side salad. Try Easy Arugula Salad, Watercress Salad with Apple, or Butter Lettuce Salad with Parmesan Dressing.
Add grits. Try the grits from this Cajun Shrimp and Grits.
Go for succotash. Add this Easy Succotash as a colorful side.
Serve with rice or quinoa. Try Spinach Rice with Feta or Seasoned Quinoa.
Add a side of fries. Go for Baked Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, or your favorite frozen brand.

More salmon recipes

Here are a few more canned salmon recipes and salmon recipes that you might enjoy:

Make tasty Salmon Salad or Salmon Salad Sandwich
Go for easy Salmon Cakes
Opt for Stuffed Salmon or Honey Garlic Salmon
Make Salmon Burgers

This salmon croquettes recipe is…

Pescatarian and dairy-free.