Salmon patties are a delicious way to enjoy canned or fresh salmon. However, a common frustration when making salmon patties is that they often fall apart, resulting in mushy patties that won’t hold their shape when cooked. There are several reasons why your salmon patties might not be sticking together and a few easy ways to fix it
Reasons Salmon Patties Fall Apart
Here are some of the most common culprits for salmon patties that won’t stay together:
-
Not enough binder Binders like eggs mayonnaise or breadcrumbs are essential for holding the patties together. Too little binder and the patties won’t have anything to adhere to.
-
Too much liquid Salmon releases a lot of moisture Excess liquid in the patties can prevent the ingredients from binding properly
-
Undermixing: The ingredients need to be thoroughly combined so everything sticks together. Lightly mixing can result in pockets of dry and wet ingredients that don’t bind.
-
Overhandling: Once mixed, overhandling the salmon patties can break down the proteins in the fish, causing them to fall apart.
-
Large salmon chunks: Large chunks of salmon don’t hold together as well as finer flakes.
-
Not chilling: Letting the patties chill in the fridge allows time for the ingredients to set up and bind.
How to Fix Falling Apart Salmon Patties
Luckily, with a few simple tweaks you can get your salmon patties to hold their shape perfectly:
-
Add more binder: Up the egg, mayo or breadcrumbs to help hold the patties together. Generally 1 egg per 1 lb salmon is a good starting point.
-
Dry the salmon: Drain any excess liquid from canned salmon before mixing. For fresh salmon, pat dry with paper towels.
-
Mix thoroughly: Make sure ingredients are evenly distributed and broken down. Light mashing with a fork can help.
-
Flake salmon finely: Break salmon down into very small flakes for the best consistency.
-
Handle gently: After mixing, handle patties lightly and avoid compressing them.
-
Chill well: Refrigerate patties for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight before cooking.
-
Coat with breadcrumbs: Lightly coat formed patties in breadcrumbs or panko for added stability.
-
Use a binder when cooking: Brushing patties lightly with mayo or egg wash helps hold them together during cooking.
Helpful Tips for Great Salmon Patties
Follow these tips for flavorful salmon patties that hold together perfectly:
- Use wild caught salmon for the best flavor
- Season the salmon generously with herbs, spices, lemon, etc before mixing
- Use chilled salmon for easiest handling
- Add minced onion, bell pepper or parsley for extra flavor and moisture
- Shape patties to a thin, uniform size and thickness to prevent breakage
- Pan fry over medium-low heat until deeply golden on both sides
- Bake at 375°F until cooked through and lightly browned on top
- Store fully cooked patties layered between parchment in the fridge or freezer
With a few simple binding and handling adjustments, you can get restaurant-quality salmon patties at home that hold their shape beautifully when cooked. Adjust the binders, moisture and salmon flake size as needed until you get the perfect consistency. Use flavorful seasonings and gentle handling for the best results. Soon your salmon patties will come out picture perfect every time.
Balance the binders with the moisture
Every salmon patty or cake recipe calls for some combination of binding ingredients. These usually include eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, ground flaxseed, and so on. Without these binders, the salmon has nothing to stick to, so you cant form patties. However, you can go overboard with the binders. If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isnt properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly. Try to always follow your recipe carefully, but if youre going without a recipe the goal is to make a mixture that will stick together when you pinch it between your thumb and index finger.
Its a good idea to make a test patty once youve mixed all the ingredients and let it sit for about 10 minutes so that the dry ingredients can absorb moisture. A test cake will give you an idea of how well your cakes will stay together in the pan before you go to the trouble of forming the whole batch. If they seem too wet or too dry during the test, go back and add an extra egg or some more breadcrumbs to the mix, let it sit for a few more minutes, and repeat the process until the cakes stay together.
How do I keep my salmon patties from falling apart?
FAQ
How to prevent salmon patties from falling apart?
To prevent salmon patties from falling apart, focus on binding and proper cooking techniques. Use a good binding agent like egg or mayonnaise. Ensure the mixture is cooled before forming patties, and handle them gently.
How to get salmon patties to stick together?
- Let the mix rest for 30 minutes so the breadcrumbs can soak up any loose liquid.
- A small amount of flour can help bind things together too.
- Reserve a bit of the canning liquid in case the mix ends up too dry.
- Thin patties–about a finger thick–are better than really think ones.
Why does my salmon always fall apart?
IF your salmon is falling apart, you are cooking it too long and too dry. It should be pulled from the grill prior to falling apart. It should not be dry in the center but still moist. It will continue to cook once you pull it from the grill. Simply pull it and cover it with foil for about 5 minutes …
How to make salmon burgers that don’t fall apart?
The critical detail here is that you absolutely must drain the salmon very well before emptying it into the bowl; not draining it sufficiently will introduce …Aug 6, 2024
How to keep salmon Patty from falling apart?
Canned Salmon Patties or Fresh Salmon Patties need some kind of binder to keep them in a patty shape. You may prevent your Salmon patties from falling apart by choosing a sustainable binder in your recipe. All-purpose flour, bread crumbs, eggs, flax eggs are all good binders.
What makes salmon patties stay together?
A lot of what makes salmon patties stay together depends on the ingredients you use to hold it together, the temperature, and the amount of water in the mixture. Patties without enough sticky stuff to hold them together will be frustrating to work with. Ditto for salmon cakes that are too wet or too dry.
Do salmon patties & cakes fall apart?
Just make sure you know the right amount of each ingredient before you start, because salmon patties and cakes tend to fall apart. A lot of what makes salmon patties stay together depends on the ingredients you use to hold it together, the temperature, and the amount of water in the mixture.
Are salmon patties difficult to make?
Salmon patties in themselves are not difficult to make, but it is not as delicious if without a side dish. Of course, it is packed with nutrients, but another dish that compliments the taste of the patty adds to not only the health aspect but also the taste factor. Typically, salmon patties are deep-fried or seared.
Can you make salmon Patty without binders?
Every salmon patty or cake recipe calls for some combination of binding ingredients. These usually include eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, ground flaxseed, and so on. Without these binders, the salmon has nothing to stick to, so you cant form patties. However, you can go overboard with the binders.
Why do we love salmon patties?
We love these easy and delicious salmon patties because they are a nutritious and affordable source of protein. Salmon patties, also known as salmon croquettes, date back to the era of the Great Depression when canned salmon was a cheap and accessible source of important nutrients.