Salmon is one of the most versatile and nutritious types of fish you can have in your kitchen. It’s rich in protein omega-3 fatty acids and various vitamins and minerals. No wonder it’s such a popular choice for a healthy dinner.
But like with any protein, you may sometimes cook more salmon than your family can eat in one sitting. Don’t worry – there are plenty of tasty ways to use up leftover salmon!
In this article, I’ll share 12 of my favorite recipes for repurposing leftover salmon. From salmon cakes to pasta dishes, bowls to sandwiches, there’s something here for every palate.
1. Make Simple Salmon Salad
One of the easiest leftover salmon recipes is to simply turn it into a salmon salad. Flake the cooked salmon into bite-size chunks. Toss with mayonnaise chopped celery red onion, capers, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dill, and any other ingredients you like.
Serve the salmon salad over greens, stuffed in a pita or sandwich, heaped on top of cucumber slices, or scooped onto endive leaves. It’s a versatile, protein-packed salad you can enjoy for lunch or a light dinner.
2. Whip Up Salmon Cakes
Salmon cakes are a classic way to repurpose leftover cooked salmon. The basic method is to combine flaked salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings like Dijon, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, etc. Form into patties and pan-fry until golden.
Serve salmon cakes on their own, in a sandwich or burger bun, or with any accompaniments you enjoy – tartar sauce, ketchup, coleslaw, etc. They make a tasty main or appetizer.
3. Make Salmon Fried Rice
Fried rice is a great way to stretch small amounts of leftover protein into an easy one-pan meal. Simply cook rice if you don’t have leftover, then stir-fry with sesame oil, garlic, ginger, veggies, soy sauce, and your salmon chunks.
Garnish with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, sriracha, etc. Salmon fried rice works for lunch or dinner and reheats beautifully.
4. Toss With Pasta
Pasta and salmon pair wonderfully together. Flake your leftover grilled or baked salmon over any kind of pasta – linguine, farfalle, penne, etc.
Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, capers, cherry tomatoes, spinach or arugula, Parmesan, and seasonings. The salmon makes it a hearty, protein-rich meal.
5. Make Salmon Niçoise Salad
A Niçoise salad traditionally contains tuna, but leftover salmon works great too. To assemble: toss lettuce, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Top with salmon chunks and dressing.
This hearty French salad makes a fantastic summer lunch or light dinner, especially with a loaf of crusty bread on the side.
6. Stuff Into Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps make an easy no-cook meal with leftover salmon. Simply flake the salmon and combine with any veggies and sauce you like. Spoon into lettuce leaves.
Some tasty flavor combos are salmon with carrot-cilantro slaw and peanut sauce, or salmon with avocado, corn, black beans, and chipotle mayo. Wrap it up!
7. Add to Your Breakfast
Leftover salmon can elevate your morning meal! Flake it over egg scrambles, breakfast bowls, omelets, hash, avocado toast, or smoked salmon toppings on bagels.
Some delicious breakfast recipes to try are huevos rancheros salmon bowls, frittatas, salmon and cream cheese stuffed bagels, and more.
8. Make Salmon Tacos
Tacos are a fun way to use up leftover salmon. Flake the salmon into a pan and heat through, seasoning with taco spices. Serve in warmed corn tortillas with all your favorite taco toppings.
Some tasty additions are shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, Cotija cheese, cilantro crema, lime wedges, etc. Easy and delicious!
9. Blend Into Salmon Dip
Here’s an easy appetizer for your next party: salmon dip! Blend together cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice,Worcestershire sauce, onion, and leftover salmon.
Season with salt, pepper, dill, and any other herbs you enjoy. Chill for at least an hour before serving with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies.
10. Make Quick Salmon Quiche
Quiche is a great make-ahead meal for breakfast or brunch. To make a salmon version, simply combine eggs, cream, cheese, and salmon in a pie crust.
Bake at 375F until set in the middle, about 30-40 minutes. Let cool slightly before slicing. Serve with a green salad for a tasty meal.
11. Mix Into Salmon Patties
Similar to salmon cakes, salmon patties are a Southern classic. The method is very similar – combine cooked salmon with eggs, breadcrumbs, seasonings, etc. Then form into patties and pan-fry.
Serve the crispy salmon patties on buns, over grits, with remoulade or tartar sauce, alongside hushpuppies, with a side salad, or however you prefer. Easy and delicious!
12. Top Smoked Salmon Pizza
Here’s a fun way to use up extra smoked salmon: top it onto pizza! Spread pizza dough with cream cheese. Top with smoked salmon slices, red onion, capers, dill, and everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds.
Bake until the crust is golden. Finish with a squeeze of lemon over the top. This unique pizza makes an easy weeknight meal.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless for repurposing leftover salmon fillets into all kinds of delicious dishes. With a little creativity, you can give new life to excess salmon and avoid food waste.
Next time you have extra cooked salmon on hand, try out one of these tasty recipes. Your family will love these creative ways to enjoy salmon twice!
Full step-by-step marry me salmon recipe
Can leftover cooked salmon be frozen?
Leftover cooked salmon can be frozen for 6-9 month, but it is recommended to store it in freezer bags or freezer containers, perfectly sealed. You can then use it for a creamy pasta with salmon recipe or for a light salad.
What to Do with Leftover Salmon or Canned Salmon? Salmon Burgers!
FAQ
How to eat leftover cooked salmon?
Think adding a sauce or broth: swap salmon in that tuna salad with some mayo and Dijon, make it a creamy pasta protein addition, flake it into a seafood chowder or curry, or run it in the food processor and form it into patties to sear and serve with a generous dollop of avocado cream.
How long is leftover salmon good for in the fridge?
What can I make with salmon scraps?
- Make Crispy Salmon Hash. …
- Make Chowder. …
- Make Quick Salmon Cakes or Patties. …
- Make a Niçoise Salad. …
- Make Salmon Tacos. …
- Make a Pasta. …
- Make a Frittata. …
- Make Salmon Fried Rice.
What is the best way to reheat leftover salmon?
In general, the best and easiest way to reheat salmon is to place the piece of salmon you want to reheat on a fresh piece of foil and bake it in the oven at a lower temperature than you cooked it. Heating the oven to 275 F is a good temperature that will heat the fish without overcooking it.
What can you do with canned salmon?
Whatever you could do with canned salmon, you can also do with leftover grilled or baked salmon. Because of that, it’s important you find some leftover salmon recipes where you can use up the last pieces without having to throw them away. These top-rated salmon recipes below will give you a range of options from salads to rich entrees.
What can I do with leftover smoked salmon?
You can simply use salmon as an addition to sandwiches and salads or transform the fish into tasty salmon cakes or croquettes. We’ve even included a few leftover smoked salmon recipes that go way beyond your typical bagel spread. And, be sure to check out our tips for reheating rice –it’s helpful for making the popular salmon rice bowls.
How do you get rid of Leftover Salmon?
The easiest way to get rid of your salmon leftovers is to make a dip. The dip helps when you don’t have fresh salmon but still want a way to incorporate it into a dish. This simple recipe takes very little effort to make and you’ll love dipping crackers, chips, or whatever else you want in the creamy goodness of this salmon spread.
What can I do with leftover chicken fillets?
If you cooked a big fillet, simply shred your leftovers (salmon usually flakes pretty easily, but check out our guide for how to shred chicken if you need some tips), and use them like you would the canned stuff. Try our lemon-dill salmon burgers, salmon croquettes, or salmon patties and see for yourself.
What to do with Leftover Salmon burgers?
Starting with cooked salmon means these burgers cook up even faster in a skillet or on the grill. Stuff leftover salmon inside a warm tortilla with lime-tinged avocado, crunchy shredded cabbage, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves and you won’t be disappointed.
What to eat with leftover fish?
Leftover fish and hearty salads are a match made in heaven. Since it’s best served room-temp, you could even pack it for lunch. 3. Creamy Bowtie Pasta With Salmon And Asparagus Coterie member Heidi Larsen knows that a little pasta goes a long way to elevate your humble leftovers. Ditto for the freshly grated Parmesan garnish. 4.