Easy Ina Garten Salmon Cakes Recipe: Golden Crispy Goodness

These delectable salmon cakes showcase a perfect balance of oceanic richness and zesty seasoning.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate such culinary creations that transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals.

Fresh seafood transforms into crispy, golden delights that tantalize taste buds with complex flavor profiles.

Delicate fish combines harmoniously with aromatic herbs and carefully selected vegetables, creating a robust and satisfying dish.

Carefully selected ingredients elevate this recipe from ordinary to exceptional, offering a gourmet experience right in your kitchen.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of textures and nuanced flavors that complement one another beautifully.

You will find these salmon cakes irresistibly appealing, whether served as an elegant appetizer or a hearty main course: give them a try.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes Crispy on the Outside, Tender Inside

• Savor Rich Flavor Layers: Packed with a complex taste profile, these salmon cakes blend roasted salmon, sautéed vegetables, and zesty seasonings like capers and hot sauce for an explosion of maritime deliciousness.
• Achieve Crispy Texture Perfection: The carefully toasted bread crumbs and pan-frying technique create an irresistibly crunchy exterior while maintaining a tender, moist interior that melts in your mouth.
• Master Gourmet Cooking Technique: This recipe teaches professional-level cooking methods like roasting salmon, creating custom bread crumbs, and properly sautéing vegetables, which elevates home cooking skills to restaurant-quality preparation.
• Enjoy Flexible Meal Versatility: Whether served as an elegant appetizer, hearty lunch, or sophisticated dinner, these salmon cakes adapt beautifully to different dining occasions and can be paired with multiple accompaniments.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes

• Salmon: Fresh, wild-caught salmon preferred for best flavor and texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold the salmon cakes together.

• Red Onion, Celery, Bell Peppers: Provide flavor depth and aromatic base for the salmon cakes.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness and color to the mixture.
• Capers: Briny, tangy ingredient that enhances overall taste profile.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing salmon's natural flavor.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides richness and helps with frying and sautéing.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy ingredient that adds moisture and helps bind the cakes.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the salmon mixture.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides depth and umami flavor.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a subtle kick of heat.
• Crab Boil Seasoning: Provides additional complex flavor notes.

• Stale Bread: Used for creating crispy, textured bread crumbs.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Salmon

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Roast for 15-20 minutes until fish easily flakes. Cool and refrigerate salmon to firm it up.

Step 2: Create Vegetable Base

• Red onion
• Celery
• Bell peppers
• Parsley
• Capers
• Hot sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Crab boil seasoning

Let mixture cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Toast Bread Crumbs

Crumble stale bread in food processor until fine. Spread crumbs on baking sheet and toast in oven for 5 minutes until golden and crispy.

Step 4: Combine Salmon Mixture

• Flaked salmon
• Toasted bread crumbs
• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Eggs

Fold in cooled vegetable mixture. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Shape Salmon Cakes

Using damp hands, form 10 evenly sized cakes from chilled mixture.

Step 6: Fry Cakes to Perfection

Heat butter and olive oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Fry salmon cakes 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate hot salmon cakes immediately. Pair with lemony salad or favorite dipping sauce for a delightful meal.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes

• Crack Open Flavor: Experiment with different types of salmon like wild-caught sockeye or king salmon for unique taste profiles and richer textures.
• Sneak in Moisture: Fold a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream into the mixture to prevent dryness and create incredibly tender salmon cakes.
• Spike with Spice: Dash in some smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to give your salmon cakes a subtle heat that awakens the palate.
• Customize Crunch: Toast breadcrumbs in butter before mixing to add a golden, nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish's texture.
• Maximize Freshness: Grate fresh ginger or citrus zest directly into the salmon mixture for an unexpected burst of bright, vibrant flavor.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes

• Cool Down Quickly: Spread salmon cakes on a wire rack immediately after cooking to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crispy exterior. Let them reach room temperature within 30 minutes before storing.
• Vacuum Seal Method: Use a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness and freezer protection. This technique removes air completely, preventing freezer burn and preserving the delicate salmon flavor for up to 3 months.
• Parchment Paper Layering: Stack salmon cakes between parchment paper sheets inside a rigid container. This prevents sticking, absorbs excess moisture, and maintains individual cake structure during refrigeration or freezing. Gently press layers to minimize air pockets.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace capers with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and add crumbled feta cheese. Incorporate fresh oregano and za'atar spice blend for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that transforms the salmon cakes into a Mediterranean delicacy.
• Spicy Southwest Sensation: Swap bell peppers for roasted poblano chilies and mix in some chopped cilantro. Add ground cumin and chili powder to create a zesty southwestern version. Top with fresh avocado salsa for an extra kick of flavor and texture.
• Asian Fusion Flair: Infuse the salmon cakes with grated ginger, minced garlic, and green onions. Replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce and add a splash of sesame oil. Serve with a quick sriracha-mayo dipping sauce and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an authentic Asian-inspired experience.
• Herb Garden Celebration: Enhance the herb mixture by incorporating fresh dill, chives, and tarragon alongside the parsley. Include lemon zest to brighten the overall flavor profile. Serve with a light dill-yogurt sauce that complements the herbaceous salmon cakes perfectly.

Ina Garten’s Salmon Cakes: A Perfect Seafood Treat

Garten’s salmon cakes embody coastal cuisine with elegant simplicity.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted bite.

Complex layers of flavor dance across palates with remarkable harmony.

Salmon cakes represent more than mere sustenance – they tell culinary stories of tradition and creativity.

Crisp exteriors give way to tender, seasoned interiors that delight discerning tastes.

Passionate chefs and home cooks will discover pure culinary magic in this recipe – reach out, share your salmon cake experiences, tag fellow food enthusiasts, and spread deliciousness across digital landscapes.

Ina Garten Salmon Cakes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s salmon cakes bring coastal comfort to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Crispy exterior and tender interior make these gourmet patties a perfect weeknight meal that delights home cooks and seafood enthusiasts alike.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• ½ pound (0.23 kilogram) fresh salmon
• 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
• 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) small-diced celery (4 stalks)
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) small-diced red bell pepper (1 small pepper)
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) small-diced yellow bell pepper (1 small pepper)
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) capers, drained
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) crab boil seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
• 3 slices stale bread, crusts removed
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) good mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the salmon.
2. Arrange salmon on a parchment-lined baking tray, generously brushing with olive oil and seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes until the fish easily flakes with a fork. Chill the cooked salmon in the refrigerator to firm its texture.
3. Prepare the vegetable medley by melting butter in a skillet and adding a drizzle of olive oil. Sauté red onion, celery, and bell peppers until they become tender and fragrant. Incorporate parsley, capers, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and crab boil seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat, then allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
4. Transform stale bread into delicate crumbs using a food processor. Spread the crumbs on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for approximately 5 minutes until they achieve a golden, crispy texture.
5. Combine the chilled salmon, breaking it into delicate flakes with a fork. Introduce the toasted bread crumbs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and eggs, mixing thoroughly. Gently fold in the cooled vegetable mixture. Refrigerate the combined ingredients for 30 minutes to enhance cake formation.
6. Using moistened hands, carefully shape the salmon mixture into 10 uniform cakes, ensuring consistent size and shape.
7. Heat a combination of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully fry the salmon cakes for 3-4 minutes on each side, developing a crisp, golden-brown exterior.
8. Serve the salmon cakes immediately, accompanied by a zesty lemon salad or preferred dipping sauce for an enhanced culinary experience.

Notes

• Elevate your culinary experience by experimenting with herb variations like dill or tarragon to personalize the flavor profile.
• Zesty remoulade or tangy tartar sauce beautifully complements the rich salmon flavor when served alongside these delectable cakes.
• Fresh, high-quality wild-caught salmon ensures the most robust flavor and best texture for an outstanding dish.
• Toasting bread crumbs adds a delightful nutty crunch that transforms these salmon cakes from good to extraordinary.
• Chilling the mixture before forming cakes prevents crumbly disappointment and helps them hold together perfectly during cooking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg