Salmon patties are a delicious and healthy option for a quick meal, but sometimes they can be tricky to handle. If you’ve ever had trouble with your salmon patties falling apart in the pan or on the plate, don’t worry! There are a few simple tricks that you can use to keep your salmon patties together and looking great.
1. Use the Right Binders
One of the most common reasons that salmon patties fall apart is because they lack the right binders. Binders are ingredients that help hold everything together. Some common binders include eggs, breadcrumbs, flour, or cornmeal.
If you’re making salmon patties from scratch, try adding one or two beaten eggs to your mixture. This will help bind everything together and keep it from falling apart. You can also add breadcrumbs or flour to help absorb any excess moisture.
Pro Tip: If you’re using canned salmon, make sure to drain it well before mixing it with other ingredients. Too much moisture can cause your patties to fall apart.
2. Chill Your Mixture
Another trick for keeping your salmon patties from falling apart is to chill your mixture before cooking it. This will help firm up the ingredients and make them easier to handle.
After mixing all of your ingredients together, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will give everything time to set up and become more cohesive.
3. Form Your Patties Carefully
When forming your salmon patties, be gentle! Use a light touch when shaping them so as not to break apart what has been just set in place by binding agents and chilling in the refrigerator.
Use a measuring cup or ice cream scoop to portion out equal amounts of mixture for each patty. Gently shape each portion into a ball, then press down lightly with your hand to flatten it into a patty.
Pro Tip: Make sure your patties aren’t too thick! Thin patties cook more evenly and are less likely to fall apart.
4. Cook Your Patties Properly
Finally, cooking your salmon patties properly can make all the difference. If you’re cooking your patties on the stovetop, use a non-stick pan and heat it over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a little bit of oil (olive or coconut oil work well) and carefully place your patties in the pan.
Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You can also bake your salmon patties in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
Pro Tip: Don’t flip your patties too soon! Let them cook for a few minutes before attempting to flip them so that they have time to set up and become more cohesive.
In Conclusion
There you have it – four simple tricks for keeping your salmon patties from falling apart. By using the right binders, chilling your mixture, forming your patties carefully, and cooking them properly you can enjoy delicious salmon patties that hold together perfectly every time!
- Use the right binders like eggs, breadcrumbs or cornmeal
- Chill mixture before cooking
- Gently form the patty
- Cook properlty with patience
Cooking Tips:
The Best Type of Salmon for Patties
Fresh salmon is ideal but if fresh is not available then canned or frozen can be used as well. Canned salmon is already cooked so it will be easier to mix with other ingredients but frozen salmon needs to be thawed before using.
Flavoring Your Salmon Patties
Adding ingredients like onion, garlic, bell pepper, or herbs like dill and parsley can enhance the flavor of your salmon patties. Be mindful of the ratio of these ingredients to the salmon so as not to overpower the fish.
Serving Suggestions
Salmon patties are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. They can be served on a bed of greens, on a bun with lettuce and tomato, or with a side of rice and veggies. A squeeze of lemon juice or tartar sauce can add additional flavor to your meal!
