Eating salmon straight from the can sounds like a sad prospect, especially if it’s a meal you’ve often had. You can elevate such a humble affair into a fun treat by transforming your canned salmon into salmon patties. You might also know them as salmon croquettes or cakes.
Salmon patties are tender, savory, and crunchy. When cooked, they have a golden coating that attracts kids and adults alike; thus, they’re great for family meals! They’re even tastier when served with simple and delicious side dishes, like dips, pasta, salads, and more. Find recipes for 12 irresistible salmon patty sides here!
1. Homemade Tartar Sauce
Fish and chips are usually served with tartar sauce. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that salmon patties, which are also made of fish and have a crunchy coating, are perfect with the same condiment. The combination probably works out because the sauce’s zesty and sweet flavors brighten up the savory and crunchy fish dishes. That effect is even more pronounced when you opt for homemade sauce over a store-bought one.
2. Cajun Remoulade
Cajun remoulade is as creamy as tartar sauce; however, although the latter promises cool, sweet, and tangy flavors, the former features the opposite. This remoulade is a blend of spicy and savory flavors derived from mayo, hot sauce, creole mustard, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Creole or Cajun seasonings, tangy juices, and spices. You can add intense peppers like jalapenos or serranos for extra heat and kick.
3. Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce
This avocado cilantro sauce is reminiscent of guacamole; thus, it’s popular with Mexican treats. However, it’s also incredible with salmon patties and contributes fruity, creamy flavors you’ll scarcely find in other condiments. Moreover, it’s a healthy choice – fresh avocados used in this recipe are packed with beneficial vitamins, fats, and nutrients. Besides the avocados, this dip has cilantro, jalapenos, garlic, sour cream, lime, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Fresh Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is another Mexican-inspired, fruity side dish. It’s made from a blend of mangoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, jalapenos, and lime juice, so it’s bound to be extra juicy, sweet, tangy, and spicy. To pair it with your salmon patties, top each piece with some salsa and take a bite! Try to get all the elements – salmon and salsa – in one mouthful!
5. Coleslaw
If you prefer crisp, cold, creamy sides over fruity, juicy ones, switch your fresh mango salsa recipe for this coleslaw. Preparation is quick and easy, as the recipe only calls for cabbages, carrots, and a homemade, mayo-based dressing. If you opt for pre-shredded cabbages and carrots, you’ll need even less preparation time. However, this still has to chill before serving, so don’t cram your coleslaw!
6. Buttered Egg Noodles
Serve your salmon patties with these buttered egg noodles, and you’ll have a quick and easy meal that feels luxurious and taste delectable. However, don’t let appearances deceive you – this noodle dish is simple, easy, and quick to make. You’ll need only egg noodles, butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and the optional parsley. While that doesn’t seem much, it is precisely this recipe’s simplicity that makes the dish so elegant.
7. Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese
A big mac and cheese casserole is the perfect match for your salmon patties when having such meals with kids. However, why would you make this homemade recipe instead of a boxed one? Wouldn’t the latter be quicker? Well, that’s true – boxed mixes are fast, while this recipe takes at least an hour. However, they will never achieve the same goodness, creaminess, and cheesiness as homemade does.
8. Homemade Hamburger Buns
You can use your salmon cakes as you usually use a patty: to make a delicious and irresistible burger. Of course, you can’t have a burger without buns, so here’s a guide to making them at home. To warn you, though, this recipe does take time to complete – around three hours at least. However, the exquisite flavors, golden finish, and irresistibly fluffy textures make it worth the while.
9. Pocket Pita Bread
Another way to serve your salmon patty is to stuff it inside a pocket pita. If you want more flavors and textures, add other ingredients, like tomatoes and sauces, into the pocket. But before you can assemble your salmon patty pitas, you need the bread first. If your nearby grocery or bakery doesn’t have it – or doesn’t make pita well – your best option is to follow this recipe!
10. Brown Rice
Turn your salmon patties into a satisfying main course by serving them with brown rice. This rice type stands out from the usual white for its nutty flavors and improved nutrition. But when cooked perfectly, its textures are the same as white rice: fluffy and tender. However, note that it’s tricker to achieve perfectly cooked brown rice because of the stiff hull; thus, follow this guide carefully.
11. Lemony Sauteed Spinach
There are many benefits to serving leafy greens, like this lemony sauteed spinach, with your salmon patties. Firstly, the nutrition – veggies like spinach offer many nutrients and vitamins, especially when used fresh. Secondly, their tender textures delightfully contrast with the patties’ crunchy breading. Lastly, the flavors are incredible and complement the salmon patties; for instance, this spinach dish’s tanginess and savoriness uplift the salmon cakes!
12. Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Arugula is another leafy green that’s perfect with salmon patties. However, instead of preparing it as a cooked side dish, opt for this fresh salad with lemon vinaigrette. It’s ideal for quick meals because you’ll need only ten minutes to prepare it. Moreover, there’s more to it than just arugula. There are also grapes, almonds, tamari, and parmesan or pecorino, each providing unique flavors and textures.
