From crispy salmon patties to creamy salmon chowder, canned salmon recipes make some of our all-time favorite pantry meals.
Packed with protein, nutrients and tons of flavor, canned salmon makes easy salmon recipes even easier. Not to mention, when you’ve made all the canned tuna recipes you can possibly imagine, it’s nice to be able to change things up. Because canned salmon is so versatile, you can use it for quick desk lunches or when you need pantry dinner recipes. We love ways to cut our weekly grocery bill, after all!
To serve canned salmon recipes, opt for the typical salmon side dishes like rice, asparagus and light salads.
1/14
Speedy Salmon Patties
From the Recipe Creator:
I combine seven easy ingredients for these salmon patties. When I was a girl growing up on the farm, my mom often fixed these when we were late in the field. They're are also tasty with chopped green peppers added to the mixture. —Bonnie Evans, Cameron, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2 patties: 307 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 179mg cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein.
These no-fuss canned salmon patties taste as good as crab cakes, but are definitely more wallet-friendly. We love crushed saltines as the binding agent, but you could easily use other crushed crackers you have on hand, like Ritz. Make sure to drain the salmon well before forming the patties, as too much moisture will cause them to lose structural integrity.
2/14
Garlic Salmon Linguine
From the Recipe Creator:
The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 489 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 693mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
Garlic lovers, this one’s for you. This ultimate pantry pasta is packed with loads of garlic and salmon flavor. For even more complexity, add capers and finish with fresh lemon.
3/14
Salmon Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to experiment with cooking new things, which is how I came up with this tasty dish. It's a wonderful way to work salmon into your menu. —Laura Varney, Batavia, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 614 calories, 42g fat (10g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1038mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
4/14
Air-Fryer Salmon Patties
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom would often fix these air-fryer salmon patties when we were working late. Feel free to add some chopped green or red peppers to the mixture. —Bonnie Evans, Cameron, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2 patties: 285 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 172mg cholesterol, 876mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein.
We can’t think of an easier, more satisfying way to transform canned salmon into a main dish material than this. Crispy, golden brown salmon patties come together in no time at all and are endlessly customizable. (Try mixing in chopped peppers!) We highly recommend serving these with a creamy remoulade sauce.
5/14
Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese
From the Recipe Creator:
This salmon dip is a delightful hors d'oeuvre that's excellent for any occasion. The combination of salmon, cream cheese and spices gives it terrific flavor. —Raymonde Hebert Bernier, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 103 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 233mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
The key to this creamy dip is letting it sit for at least an hour before serving it so all the flavors meld together. We like to serve this dip with crunchy crudites and crackers, and we garnish it liberally with chopped green onions or parsley, if you have it on hand.
6/14
Salmon Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom always made salmon pie on Christmas Eve. Now I bake this dish for the holidays and other get-togethers during the year. It takes little time to prepare, and with a salad on the side, it makes a satisfying meal. -Jeanne Uttley, Salem, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 409 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.
7/14
Baked Salmon Patties
From the Recipe Creator:
Made in muffin pans and served with sauce on the side, these baked salmon patties make a fantastic light meal. You can also bake a double batch and freeze some for a quick lower-fat supper later on. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
2 salmon cakes: 266 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 914mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein.
Our readers can’t get enough of these super-flavorful salmon cakes baked inside muffin pans. Feel free to add even more fresh herbs to the mixture to amp up the flavor, or sprinkle in a half teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for heat. Serve with lots of fresh lemon.
8/14
Salmon Loaf
From the Recipe Creator:
During the Depression, Mom's tasty salmon loaf was a welcome change from the usual meat loaf everyone made to stretch a meal. I still like a lot of the make-do meals of those days, but this loaf is one of my favorites. —Dorothy Bateman, Carver, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 476 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 264mg cholesterol, 1334mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
You won’t miss the beef in this delicious, flavor-packed twist on classic meat loaf. To nail the perfect fluffy texture, the recipe calls for beating egg whites into stiff peaks before folding them into the salmon mixture. The accompanying olive cream sauce is a fantastic use for pimiento-stuffed olives.
9/14
Potato Salmon Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to experiment with cooking new things, which is how I came up with this tasty dish. It's a wonderful way to work salmon into your menu. —Laura Varney, Batavia, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 614 calories, 42g fat (10g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 1038mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
This simple, satisfying casserole comes out of the oven golden brown thanks to a top layer of crunchy cornflakes. The frozen peas add a pop of brightness and color, while the boiled potatoes absorb all that savory salmon flavor. Save the leftover cereal to use with these other cornflake recipes.
10/14
Salmon Chowder
From the Recipe Creator:
I've lived on a farm in the Yakima Valley all my life. I have a big garden, and by the end of fall, my cellar shelves are full of canned fruits and vegetables. This salmon chowder recipe uses some of the root vegetables I grow—along with the delicious salmon that is so plentiful here. —Josephine Parton, Granger, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 273 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 1060mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
Anyone who needs convincing about the deliciousness of canned salmon should try this super-creamy, hearty salmon chowder, which is packed with vegetables and protein. The secret ingredient is a can of cream-style corn, which adds a touch of sweetness. We like to garnish this chowder with crumbled bacon, minced chives and cracked black pepper.
11/14
Southern-Fried Salmon Patties
From the Recipe Creator:
Since pinto beans and mashed potatoes were our usual daily fare, salmon was a special treat on Sundays. We ate these Southern-fried salmon patties as fast as Mama could fry them—she couldn't get them off the griddle fast enough. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 patties: 451 calories, 25g fat (10g saturated fat), 267mg cholesterol, 694mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
These rich, crispy salmon patties pair wonderfully with coleslaw recipes or a zesty green salad. To make sure your patties don’t fall apart, drain the salmon very well, and if you’d like, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before you fry them.
12/14
Potato Cheese Soup with Salmon
From the Recipe Creator:
I started cooking for a harvest crew when I was 10 years old. Now, decades later, my husband and I live in the heart of a potato-growing area. One year, this recipe won me a prize! —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 505 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
Cheesy potato soup is the perfect canvas for canned salmon. This thick soup is super comforting, flavorful and even better the next day. We recommend serving this with crusty bread and a lot of fresh parsley.
13/14
Salmon Quiche
From the Recipe Creator:
Cooking is something that I’ve always liked doing. I pore over cookbooks the way other people read novels. This recipe came to me from my mother—it’s the kind of recipe you request after just one bite. And, it’s very hearty! —Deanna Baldwin, Bermuda Dunes, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 456 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 221mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein.
We love this impressive quiche with canned salmon, but you could easily make it with chopped smoked salmon or even lump crab. Feel free to get creative with your cheese choice—creamy goat and tangy feta work especially well. For a supremely elegant presentation, serve with creme fraiche and, if you’re feeling extra fancy, a dollop of caviar.
14/14
Salmon Salad Sandwich
From the Recipe Creator:
Salmon salad sandwiches are perfect to pack in lunchboxes when your kids can’t face another boring sandwich. We love salmon, cream cheese and dill tucked inside a crusty roll. The carrots and celery add a nice crunch. —Yvonne Shust, Shoal Lake, Manitoba
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 463 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1158mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein.
Salmon salad is one of the best and simplest uses for the canned salmon in your pantry. In this tasty recipe, cream cheese adds a lush texture to the salad, while lemon juice keeps it bright. We like to serve salmon salad on toasted whole wheat buns, but you can choose your favorite bread. Just don’t forget to serve with homemade potato chips.
Canned Salmon Recipes FAQ
Should you rinse canned salmon?
Rinsing canned salmon is a matter of preference. If you would prefer to remove some of the fishy scent or some oil (if that’s what it was packaged in), go ahead and rinse it. You can do this by placing the salmon in a fine mesh strainer and running it under water. Give it a good shake or gently pat it dry with paper towels before using the fish in recipes.
What is the white stuff in canned salmon?
Canned salmon, like regularly cooked salmon fillets, often has “white stuff” on it, for lack of a better explanation. This substance you see in the fish is called albumin, and it’s a type of protein that becomes visible as the fish cooks. It’s perfectly safe to eat, but not always visually appealing. You can flake it off if you prefer not to eat it.
