These salmon patties are soft and flavorful on the inside and have a delightful crunchy outer shell. It’s a special recipe for salmon patties because I added rice right into the patty mixture and flavored it with onions and sun-dried tomatoes. What gives these patties the beautiful crunch on the outside is the bread crumb coating. You can use Panko or regular bead crumbs for that.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of rice in salmon patties, make sure to try my Teriyaki Salmon patties too. While I absolutely adore salmon patties with rice added, I also love my classic Salmon Patties.
SALMON AND RICE PATTIES
I originally created this recipe almost 10 years ago, when I tried to use up leftover rice from our Chinese food order. We fell in love with it then, and I still make salmon patties with rice more often than the classic way.
It comes together in no time and tastes so good. My favorite part is the texture of the crunchy outside while it’s still soft and tender inside. I achieve that crunch by coating the outside with bread crumbs. Panko is actually better to use on the outside because it gets so nice and crispy when you fry it in the pan.
Regular bread crumbs are usually better to mix into the salmon and rice mixture because it absorbs the moisture better. It also helps hold the shape of the patty better. But, great thing about Panko and regular bread crumbs is that they can be used interchangeably.
Both ways, you will get an easy, delicious, and filling dinner.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I Use Fresh Salmon?
Yes you can! You can use leftover cooked salmon or you can bake salmon to use in patties.
Can I Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes In Oil?
Yes, you can substitute jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil but you would need to squeeze out the oil. (Save squeezed oil, don’t discard it, and it’s great for dipping bread.)
Can I Use Panko Bread Crumbs?
Absolutely! I actually prefer to use Panko for coating the outside of the patties. You can use Panko outside for coating and inside in salmon mixture though.
Panko is light and airy and generally made with only the inside of white bread, without the crust. So it does crisp up much better when used as a coating. It’s also softer so when it’s mixed into the meatball, vegetarian burger, or salmon patty mixture, it doesn’t thicken as well as regular bread crumbs. So you usually need a couple of extra tablespoons of Panko to mix into the mixture.
So the choice is ultimately yours, to use all regular bread crumbs, all Panko, or a mix of both.
WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THESE SALMON PATTIES?
Since this recipe already has the salmon and rice together in one patty, I like to make a light side dish. Try:
Side salads
Green Beans
Asparagus
Zucchini
Carrots
Roasted cauliflower or broccoli
Roasted vegetable medley
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Salmon and Rice Patties
Ingredients
Salmon Patties:
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp oil to cook onions and tomatoes
- 10 oz canned salmon (no bones or skin) mostly drained
- 1 1/2 cups cooked jasmine rice lightly packed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 3 tbs mayo
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs for coating (can use regular bread crumbs)
- 2 tbsp oil for cooking
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp capers drained
Instructions
- Preheat a pan over medium heat and add some oil. Saute chopped onions and chopped sun-dried tomatoes until golden and tender. After it's cooled a little, add the mixture to a mixing bowl.
- Drain most of the juice from salmon and add it to the bowl. Add cooked rice and remaining ingredients for the salmon patties. (Except for the Panko crumbs that are meant for coating the patties.)
- Mix everything well until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form patties and lightly coat them in the Panko bread crumbs. Prepare all the patties before adding the to the pan and place the on a clean cutting board or a sheet of parchment paper
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add oil.
- Cook the patties, over medium heat, until golden brown. About 5-7 minutes on each side.
- While the patties are cooking, make the sauce. Combine all ingredients in the bowl and mix well. Serve on top of salmon rice patties.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published December 7, 2012. Updated April 2, 202o.
Megan says
Question; Does this make 4 patties, or serves 4. I would think a serving would be more then one, depending on size of course.
Jacquelyn says
What a great recipe. I had leftover brown rice and leftover cooked fresh salmon and wondered about making salmon patties. I was able to use your recipe as a base and have a great leftover meal. Thanks! I’ll be checking out the rest of your website. Really enjoyed this idea of yours.
LyubaB says
Awe thank you, Jacquelyn! I love hearing that and I am so happy you liked the recipe! 🙂
Marti says
Just made these and they were a hit! Mine were a bit crumbly so I might add another egg next time. I wasn’t sure whether to pack the rice into the measuring cup so that may have made a difference.
LyubaB says
Hi, Marti! You do want to pack it, but not too tight just pat it down a little.
Janeen says
Hi, I want to make these tonight, but have a silly question. Is the rice measured before or after cooking ?
lyuba says
Hi Janeen! I’m sorry to get back to you late. Feel free to email me directly or message me on FB page when you have a pressing question 🙂 Since the rice that goes in here is cooked, it is measured already cooked. I hope you will enjoy them!
easy family meals says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about chicken feeds.
Regards
Penguins mom says
Loved this recipe and so did my boys (hubby and son)! We have TONS of salmon, smoked and fresh. I used smoked salmon instead of canned, but it still came out delicious! I have been looking for new recipes for Halibut and Rock Fish, any suggestions? Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says
These look so good! You will be one of the features at Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House. Pop on in and grab a feature button. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Food Done Light says
Delicious. Love that you used jasmine rice in the patty itself. It will bring a great background flavor. I saw you on Lady Behind the Curtain. Would love for you to share tonight on Thursdays Treasures. Link opens at 8pm
Jen says
Pinned it! These look delish and I have tons of salmon in my food storage! Great recipe!
http://Www.utahmunchies.blogspot.com
Roslyn@Sew Delicious says
They look so delicious! I usually make mine with mashed potato but rice would make a nice change, and I know my kids will really love it too 🙂
lulu says
Something new for the menu! I cannot wait to try these which are a nice change from the croquettes filled with bread crumbs.