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    Frizzled Leek » Recipes » Mains

    Published: Jul 22, 2022 •Modified: Sep 26, 2023 by Mike Cleavenger • This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission • 4 Comments

    Whole30 Southwestern Salmon Cakes

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    These Southwestern salmon cakes are Whole30, Paleo, and Keto approved! No shortcuts here! We make our salmon patties from fresh wild-caught salmon served with roasted green chili aioli!

    Southwestern salmon cakes on a large plate. this recipe

    Salmon patties are a great addition to your Whole30 rotation. Salmon is packed full of Omega 3's, making this a healthy dinner option.

    We serve these low-carb patties with the best salmon cake sauce. Roasted green chili aioli!

    Southwestern salmon cakes make for the perfect lunch meal prep throughout the week. If you are wondering what meal prep container I use, check these containers out.

    In my opinion, the best salmon for salmon cakes is always fresh salmon. You can still use canned salmon, but it's not as good as fresh.

    Our salmon patties are gluten-free. This recipe is made with almond flour instead of bread crumbs.

    If you are looking for another delicious way to cook salmon check out our Keto Oven Baked Salmon. It's a quick and easy recipe during the week. If you are in the mood for a hearty meal this Easy One-Pot Salmon Stew is what you are looking for.

    For a breakfast option, place my air fryer poached eggs on top.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make southwestern salmon patties
    • Substitutions + Swaps
    • How do you cook salmon patties?
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Chef Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Whole30 Recipes...
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Mike's Tips
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • So easy to meal prep. Serve with a mixed green salad for a grab-and-go lunch.
    • Whole30, Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free, and low carb.
    • An air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook these salmon cakes. Another salmon recipe to try is our Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon.

    Ingredients

    You can use canned salmon, but for the best results, we recommend wild-caught sockeye salmon.

    Salmon cakes ingredients.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Almond flour - is used in place of breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free
    • Mayo - we recommend avocado oil mayo or make your paleo mayo
    • Salmon - wild-caught salmon is the best look at that color
    • Spices - a mixture of salt, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make southwestern salmon patties

    Making Whole30 Salmon Cakes is so easy, here's how to make it:

    Oven baked salmon on baking tray.

    Step 1: Bake salmon in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

    Roasted green chilies on baking tray.

    Step 2: Broil chilies for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wrap with plastic wrap. Peel and deseed the chilies.

    Green chili sauce in food processor.

    Step 3: In a food processor, blend mayo, chilies, garlic, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro.

    Salmon cake in large mixing bowl.

    Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked salmon and the rest of the ingredients.

    Formed salmon cakes on baking tray.

    Step 5: Use a ⅓ dry measuring cup to form salmon patties. Place onto a parchment-lined baking tray.

    Baked salmon patties on baking tray.

    Step 6: Bake salmon cakes in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes, flipping at the halfway point.

    Substitutions + Swaps

    • Salmon - If you are looking for a time saver and can't find fresh salmon, canned salmon works in a pinch.
    • Eggs - Flour, almond flour, and flax eggs are eggless binders.
    • Spices - This recipe has a southwestern flair, but you can change up the herbs and spices. Parsley, dill, and lemon is a great variation.
    • Sauce - Lemon dill aioli, roasted red pepper aioli, or a cajun tartar sauce would be amazing.
    Southwestern salmon cakes with aioli on top.

    How do you cook salmon patties?

    There are different methods for cooking your salmon patties, here are a few:

    Option 1: Baked salmon patties

    1. Preheat oven to 425°
    2. Place salmon patties on a parchment-lined baking tray.
    3. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from the oven and turn the salmon cakes over.
    4. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

    Option 2: Air fryer salmon patties

    1. Spray your air fryer basket with avocado oil so the patties won't stick.
    2. Preheat the air fryer to 425°F and cook salmon cakes for 15 minutes.

    Option 3: Pan-Seared Salmon Patties

    1. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
    2. Add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and sear salmon patties for 5 minutes per side.

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • Baking Tray
    • Air fryer

    Storage

    Place salmon cakes in glass airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator for 4 days. To reheat, place in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel on 70% power for 3 minutes.

    Freezer: Place cooked salmon cakes on a small baking tray and flash freeze for a couple of hours. Transfer into zip lock bags for 2 months.

    Chef Tips

    • Salmon cakes are perfect for meal prep. They reheat great and pair well with salads and veggies.
    • Chuck your salmon trimmings, and end cuts into the freezer for salmon patties.
    • Salmon should be cooled down to room temperature before mixing. Hot salmon will scramble the eggs.
    • Use canned salmon to make easy salmon cakes.
    • If using fresh salmon, make sure to remove pin bones. These are the tweezers I use.
    Southwestern salmon cakes with aioli.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I freeze salmon cakes?

    Salmon patties freeze very well. I love doing this for an easy dinner at night when I don't feel like cooking.

    Are salmon cakes healthy?

    Salmon is packed full of omega 3's making this a healthy recipe. We swap out almond flour for breadcrumbs making this a healthier recipe.

    Are these salmon cakes keto?

    This recipe is Keto and Whole30 friendly. The combination of mayo, eggs, and salmon offers a lot of healthy fats.

    Can I use gluten-free flour instead of almond flour?

    Yes, gluten-free flour works as a binder. Almond flour is the best swap for breadcrumbs because it has a similar texture.

    More Whole30 Recipes...

    • Sloppy joe stuffed sweet potato {Whole30, Paleo}
    • buffalo chicken featured image
      Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • sweet potato hash in large skillet
      Sweet Potato Hash with Bacon and Kale {Whole30 & Paleo}
    • whole chicken in air fryer
      Crispy Air Fryer Whole Chicken

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @thefrizzledleek on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

    📖 Recipe

    Salmon cakes featured image.

    Whole30 Southwestern Salmon Cakes

    Mike Cleavenger
    These salmon cakes are incredibly moist and flavorful. I used fresh salmon, but you could use canned salmon as well. Read the notes below for more information.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 salmon cakes
    Calories 232 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • baking tray
    • food processor

    Ingredients
      

    Salmon Cakes

    • 1 pound fresh salmon or 4 6-ounce cans of salmon
    • 1 whole red bell pepper roasted
    • ½ red onion diced
    • 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • ¼ cup Mayo
    • 2 eggs
    • ⅓ cup almond flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder

    Green Chili Aioli

    • 3 whole anaheim chilies roasted
    • 1 cup mayo
    • 1 clove garlic chopped
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 lime juiced
    • 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped

    Instructions
     

    Salmon Cakes

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place salmon onto a parchment-lined baking tray.  Brush salmon with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Bake for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees. 
    • When salmon has cooled down to room temperature, break it apart in your hands and transfer it to a large bowl.
    • Using a ⅓ measuring cup, scoop the mixture to shape 8 equal-sized salmon cakes. Place onto a parchment-lined baking tray.
    • In a 425-degree oven, bake salmon cakes for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes.
    • Serve these salmon cakes with the Green Chili Aioli.

    Green Chili Aioli

    • Place chilies on a foil-lined baking tray and place them under the broiler. Cook until the chilies are shared and soft. Place chilies in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the chilies to steam for 15 minutes. Peel, seed, and dice the chilies.
    • In a food processor combine chilies, mayo, garlic, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro. Blend until smooth.

    Notes

    Mike's Tips

    • Salmon cakes are perfect for meal prep. They reheat great and pair well with salads and veggies.
    • Chuck your salmon trimmings and end cuts into the freezer for salmon patties.
    • Salmon should be cooled to room temperature before mixing. Hot salmon will scramble the eggs.
    • Swap 4 6-ounce cans of canned salmon for fresh salmon.
    • If using fresh salmon, make sure to remove pin bones. These are the tweezers I use.

    Air Fryer Instructions

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 °.  Spray the basket with oil, then add salmon patties into the basket.  Spray the tops of the salmon patties for better browning.
    2. Cook for a total of 10 minutes.  Keep in mind that all air fryers cook differently. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 122IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram. Tag @thefrizzledleek and hashtag it #thefrizzledleek.

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    Comments

    1. Cinda Goodner says

      August 07, 2022 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe sounds so delicious and easy. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    2. Brenda says

      August 01, 2022 at 4:25 am

      5 stars
      I made these salmon patties tonight and they were delicious! I used 12 oz. Of canned pink salmon. I guesstimated on amount. Might be helpful to add amount of canned salmon to the recipe. I used my air fryer. The recipe wasn't clear on what temp. to set airfryer at. The highest temp. on my Corsori is 400 degrees. First batch was at 400 degrees for 15 min. The cakes were a bit over browned but still good. Next batch was better, I reduced cook time to 13 min. Recipe update on temp for air fryer would be helpful. These salmon cakes have super flavor and the aioli was amazing. We loved them. Thanks for a great dish.

      Reply
      • mikecleavenger says

        August 01, 2022 at 2:30 pm

        5 stars
        Hi Brenda,
        I am so glad that you enjoyed these salmon cakes! I have updated my recipe card to specify the amount of canned salmon to use. I included air fryer cooking instructions in the recipe card as well. My Instant Pot has an Air Fryer attachment and I cook the Salmon Patties for 10 minutes at 390°F. Stay tuned for more great recipes!

        Reply
    3. mikecleavenger says

      July 27, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite Whole30 and Keto recipes. It's so easy to meal prep for healthy lunches all week long. I also love to freeze these salmon patties for an easy dinner on nights I don't feel like cooking.

      Reply
    5 from 4 votes

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    Wearing a chef jacket standing with my arms crossed in front of floating shelves.

    I'm a chef, husband, and father of two beautiful girls. The Frizzled Leek is a blog about getting families back in the kitchen. Here you won't just follow recipes, you will be developing your cooking skills too!

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    Salmon cakes with aioli on top.
    Salmon cakes on a large plate.
    Salmon cake mixture in a large bowl.
    Salmon cake with aioli.

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