I make these patties the way my mother used to make her “salmon” patties, which were actually mackerel. Mother didn’t have the money for the expensive salmon and I think mackerel was about 10 cents per can back in the 1940s. Although I loved her version and didn’t have a very big food budget when I married, I always made the patties with salmon and used her method of adding only crackers, onions and seasoning to the mix, no egg (my mother used as few eggs as possible in every dish). My family prefers them this way and they are never as crispy on the outside and moist on the inside as when they are fried in Crisco.
MOM’S SALMON PATTIES
- 1 Tblsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- One 14-15 oz. can Alaskan pink salmon
- 12 saltine crackers, crushed
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Crisco for frying
In a small skillet, heat oil and saute onions on low heat until they are soft.
Drain salmon and remove any bones. Place salmon in a bowl and add the sauteed onions. Add the crushed saltines and a grind or two of black pepper. The saltines add enough salt for our taste. Mix together and form into 6 patties. The mixture should hold together but still be slightly moist.
Melt Crisco in a large skillet and add the patties, browning/cooking about 5 minutes on each side.
We always serve the salmon patties with macaroni & cheese and scalloped tomatoes.
I love airports as well
I had never even thought of using cracker crubs in fish cakes. I have always just used fresh breadcrumbs. I like the idea though. I’ll give it a try. I’m guessing Aussie Ritz or Jatz crackers are kind of the same as the ones in the US – kind of small and round, little bit salty and you have them with dips and cheese?
It always intrigues me when I read about maccaroni cheese being used as a side dish in the US. In the UK and OZ it is almost always THE main dish. Like a light meal, maybe with salad or something. I love learning about how other folks eat – thank you Lillian
no dude its saltine crackers lol. and mac & cheese is a side dish because here in America we eat meat as a main dish. That’s whatsup.
You made me think of mother, who used the same basic ingredients for her Salmon Patties.
A few years ago, I began to vary the receipe and came up with this–as soon as I post this I’m heading for the kitchen to make a batch of Salmon Patties ala OldMack.
14 oz can of Pink Alaskan Salmon
1/2 cup of plain bread crumbs
2 eggs
4 tablespoons of Olive oil
1/4 teaspoon each of the following spices:
salt
Garlic powder
Dill weed (ground)
Cilantro (fresh or dried flakes)
Cumin
Mix ingredients in a large bowl, make patties and fry in Crisco.
I serve with slices of fresh lime; a few drops will do it. I also like Tabasco on my patties when I eat them cold.
thats gross yo. cold with tabasco? and garlic and cilantro and cumin? i can understand the dillweed. Bread crumbs = no lol
LOVE Salmon Patties…haven’t had them in awhile.
That is the same recipe that my Mother used, jack mackeral was cheaper than salmon, she used to say..she rolled her patties in cornmeal before frying. So good, thank you for the reminder.
THANKYOU ,I WASNT SURE WHAT TO SERVE WITH SALMON PATTIES .GLAD YOU WERE THANKS AGAIN LELAND
I’m making salmon patties tonight and couldn’t come up with a side dish. The tomatoes sound great!
Thanks, you sure took me back to the 50s and even 60s when my Mother use to make the mackerel(sp) also.
My Mom passed away and I have used every recipe I can find to try and repeat. Hers was just delicious. So crispy on the outside and didn’t fall apart like most of mine have. You may have solved my problem.
Thanks..
Thank you Lillian, I have made up my mind as to what I will fix here in a few minutes to ring in the new year, Salmon Patties it is!, I will go with the taters and the mac and cheese too…..God Bless, Happy New Year!
Thanks for the memories. Funny thing is- when my mother was making these salmon patties in the 60’s she also served homemade macaroni and cheese with them every single time! I just can’t recall whether it was saltines or Ritz crackers she used but I’m guessing Ritz because she used to crush some of those into the mac and cheese. My mother only used the more expensive red salmon because of the stronger flavor and that upgrade was truly one of their few financial “indulgences!”
Lillian,
Thank you so much for the salmon recipe. I have been looking for one that was close to my grandma’s and this is it. My grannie also used mackerel but it’s still the same.
I will be making this for my family tomorrow so that can see what wonderful food reallky is.
Oh, but I will cook in olive oil and not Crisco.
me and my husband mike was just sitting here thinking about salmon patties, now i do know what to put with the patties, we live down in hackberry, la and we eat seafood, salmon patties arethe best.
GOD BLESS YOU, PAM AND MIKE
This is my mackerel Patty recipe:
1 15 OZ can of mackerel
1 egg
12 to 15 crackers
pepper
onion
Olive oil, Crisco, or Vegetable oil
Cornmeal(For an extra added Treat)
Mix Mackerel, egg, crackers, pepper, and onion in a mixing bowl. Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. cook for about 5 min on each side or to your preference.
Serve with:
Mac & Cheese
Potatoes any way u like
Tomato Slices
sorry u should dip your patties in the cornmeal before cooking for extra added flavor