• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Taste Love and Nourish logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
Crispy Salmon Cakes - you'll love this recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated! Makes a fantastic dinner or impressive appetizer served with a Creamy Lemon-Herb Dipping Sauce. | @tasteLUVnourish on TasteLoveAndNourish.com

Crispy Salmon Cakes

March 15, 2015 By Caroline 46 Comments

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on Pinterest

I’ve always been drawn to food. From my early days of blissfully devouring jars of Gerber Peaches to watching my Mom, happily cooking in the kitchen, then fast-forward to now…living life as a foodie…I’ve always been enamored. The process of cooking, the science of food, the tastes and the memories they create…I love it all. So, when food is your obsession, cookbooks naturally find their way onto your shelves. To be completely honest, there are many that I just never really open much. I do have a few though, that I love and they inspire me.

The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook is one that I treasure. It’s a resource of knowledge, not just a book of recipes. Similar to the format of their magazine, each recipe begins with “Why This Recipe Works” and explains the tastes and textures of the finished dish. They examine different techniques they’ve tested and sum up what works best and what doesn’t, totally feeding my geeky food-science side. I love that many recipes have several variations and recipes for perfect accompaniments as well. With over eight hundred pages, this book covers just about anything you can think of, from traditional standards to international dishes and everything in between.

It was so difficult, with an extensive book like this, to choose just one recipe to share with you. I wanted something that was special, yet easy enough to prepare any night of the week. These salmon cakes are just that. This recipe works because it uses fresh salmon as opposed to canned and is binded with panko and mayonnaise in place of traditional fish cake’s potato binder that can be doughy. The panko mix gives you a lighter texture within and a crisp exterior. Exactly the way you imagine it should be. I’ve changed a few things to lighten the recipe up just a bit, but really, you’d never know.

Some of my favorite food blogger friends and I thought it would be fun to share our favorite books with you! We are each giving one copy away to one lucky reader! Yes…one of you will win all twelve of them! To be honest, I’m so jealous…I wish I could enter myself! Find the entry form below…best of luck and happy cooking!

Crispy Salmon Cakes - you'll love this recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated! Makes a fantastic dinner or impressive appetizer served with a Creamy Lemon-Herb Dipping Sauce. | @tasteLUVnourish on TasteLoveAndNourish.com

Crispy Salmon Cakes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons plus 1 cup panko bread crumbs I use whole wheat panko
  • 1 scallion sliced thin
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/4 pound skinless salmon fillet cut into 1 inch pieces (see Notes)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • lemon wedges for serving
  • Creamy Lemon-Herb Dipping Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup non fat plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1 scallion minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Line a large dish with paper towels and set aside.
  • Combine the 3 tablespoons of panko, scallion, shallot, parsley, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Divide the salmon pieces into three batches. In your food processor, pulse one batch at a time to coarsely chop into about 1/4 inch pieces. Two quick pulses should be enough. Transfer each batch to the bowl with the panko mixture. Gently mix in the salmon just until combined.
  • Place the remaining 1 cup of panko on a dish. Using a 1/3 cup measure, scoop a level amount of the salmon (avoid packing the mixture) and drop it onto the dish of panko. Carefully coat the cake in the crumbs and pat into a 2 3/4 inch round, about 1 inch high. Place on a dish or baking sheet and repeat with the remaining salmon to make 8 cakes.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon cakes in the skillet and cook without moving for about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully flip the cakes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the cakes to the paper towel lined plate to rest for one minute before serving.
  • To make the dipping sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  • Serve 2 cakes per person with a wedge of lemon and some Creamy Lemon-Herb Dipping Sauce.

Notes

When processing the salmon, it is fine if you have some chunky pieces. Err on the side of chunky as you do not want to over process the fish.
If you are buying skin-on salmon, ask for 1 1/3 pounds of fish.
Serve these salmon cakes as a fantastic dinner or as an impressive appetizer! Try scooping them up in a smaller size for bite-sized appetizers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Both recipes adapted from The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook, 2011Crispy Salmon Cakes - you'll love this recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated! Makes a fantastic dinner or impressive appetizer served with a Creamy Lemon-Herb Dipping Sauce. | @tasteLUVnourish on TasteLoveAndNourish.com


Enter To Win…

 

 

Cookbook Giveaway on TasteLoveAndNourish.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.


Take a peek at these participating bloggers and their recipes…

 

 


Savory Simple
Bakeaholic Mama
Foodness Gracious
All Day I Dream About Food
Life’s Ambrosia
The Beeroness
Une Gamine Dans La Cuisine
A Brown Table
Very Culinary
Cooking With Books
Cravings Of A Lunatic

Filed Under: Seafood Tagged With: appetizer, cook's illustrated cookbook review, crispy salmon cakes, dinner, dipping sauce, easy, easy salmon recipe, fritters, giveaway, lemon, mayonnaise, panko, parsley, quick, recipe, salmon, salmon cakes, scallion, scallions, seafood

Previous Post: « White Bean and Chicken Chili
Next Post: Mandarin Almond Cake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chandler

    March 27, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Perhaps doesn’t hold a candle to some other cookbooks in terms of the recipes, but The Cancer Fighting Kitchen cookbook holds a special place for both me and my mom. I bought it for her when she was first diagnosed nearly 5 years ago and purchased a copy for myself as well. It’s helped my mom arm herself with good nutrition in her fight against a terrible disease. Look forwarding to trying your salmon cake recipe, which looks delicious! Also, much respect for the food photography! I love that matte finish – striking. Very tastefully and artfully done!

    Reply
    • Caroline

      April 12, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      Chandler, I’m so glad to hear your Mom is doing well and that cookbook helped so much. That makes it the best cookbook ever in my opinion! Thanks so much for your kind words…you made my day. xo

      Reply
  2. Becca

    March 21, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    My go-to cookbook is Joy of Cooking.

    Reply
  3. Terri S

    March 20, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    I love my Joy of Cooking.

    Reply
  4. cat

    March 20, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    My alltime fav would be the Joy of Cooking

    Reply
  5. Emily

    March 19, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    Your salmon cakes look perfect! Beautiful! Right now my fave cookbook is Amy Chapin’s At Home in the Whole Foods Kitchen.

    Reply
  6. Rebecca Wilson

    March 18, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    My usual go-to is Good Housekeeping’s cookbook. I have the edition from like 1974 and still refer to it though I have other, newer cookbooks.

    Reply
  7. Allison

    March 18, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    My go-to book is the Food52 cookbook. Then, really, anything by Martha Stewart. Her original blue book keeps to the basics, but with nice twists.

    Reply
  8. Barbara

    March 18, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Currently, my favorite cookbook is Nourishing Meals.

    Reply
  9. Nicole gamma

    March 17, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Super excited for the chance to win all these!!

    Reply
  10. Rosa

    March 17, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    My favourite cookbook must be Joy of Cooking. Most used anyway.

    Reply
  11. Debbie

    March 17, 2015 at 6:22 pm

    Choosing a favorite cookbook would be like choosing a favorite child.

    Reply
  12. ilyse schuckman

    March 16, 2015 at 11:41 pm

    It’s hard to pick just one. I really like several community cookbooks that i own

    Reply
  13. Jan

    March 16, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    All the Taste of Home cookbooks

    Reply
  14. Pam

    March 16, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    It’s hard to pick just one……I am a serious cook book a holic……..How to cook everything……love that book!

    Reply
  15. Andrea D.

    March 16, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    I love the Betty Crocker from my grandma. It will always be the best to me.

    Reply
  16. Holly E

    March 16, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    My favorite is Against All Grain.

    Reply
  17. Sara

    March 16, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    Plenty More is the cookbook that helped e step out of my veggie comfort zone! :)

    Reply
  18. Karen T

    March 16, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Joy of Cooking

    Reply
  19. Sara

    March 16, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Plenty More is the book that helped me venture further into vegetables!

    Reply
  20. Leslie Navratil

    March 16, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    I haven’t found a favorite cookbook. I’m searching for a good one?

    Reply
  21. Melanie

    March 16, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    clean food is my favourite cook book!

    Reply
  22. Wendy

    March 16, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    Anything by Cooks Illustrated!

    Reply
  23. Elizabeth G.

    March 16, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I’ve always loved “How To Cook Everything”.

    Reply
  24. Lindsay Zaraska

    March 16, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    I love my Jamie Oliver cookbooks.

    Reply
  25. Nathalie

    March 16, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    One of the best cookbooks is indeed “The Joy of Cooking”, which my mother gave me a couple years ago. There are so many recipes. This is a classic!

    Reply
  26. Paula Walsh

    March 16, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    I like Canadian living cookbooks :D I use them quite often

    Reply
  27. Courtney Howard

    March 16, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Lately, my favorite is The Kind Diet

    Reply
  28. Laura

    March 16, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    One of my favorite cookbooks is Lisa Leake’s 100 Days of Real Food cookbook.

    Reply
  29. Maria Proctor

    March 16, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    I love the Better Homes & Gardens cookbooks!

    Reply
  30. sydney85

    March 16, 2015 at 11:29 am

    I am always using Mark Bittman’s Around the World cookbook. Fabulous recipes and easy to follow.

    Reply
  31. Victoria

    March 16, 2015 at 11:25 am

    I love my copy of “From Curries to Kebabs” by Madhur Jaffrey. We live in a rural area and don’t have access to good Indian restaurants, so instead we’ve been learning to cook it ourselves. This book is great because it includes recipes from throughout South Asia and they all turn out great.

    Reply
  32. alex

    March 16, 2015 at 10:50 am

    I don’t have one yet!

    Reply
  33. Lauren

    March 16, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I love clean food by terry Walters for the seasonal recipes! Would love to try some new cookbooks!

    Reply
  34. Alyssa M

    March 16, 2015 at 10:19 am

    My favorite cookbook right now is Smitten Kitchen’s!

    Reply
  35. kimberly

    March 16, 2015 at 9:33 am

    It’s old but I still love The Joy Of Cooking

    Reply
  36. JamieK

    March 16, 2015 at 9:31 am

    I am a super fan of Cook’s Illustrated as well!

    Reply
  37. Alina

    March 16, 2015 at 8:20 am

    Favorite cookbook would have to be Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes. Love Italian food, plus the recipes take no time at all.

    Reply
  38. Sean

    March 16, 2015 at 8:18 am

    My all time favorite cookbook is Barefoot Contessa: Make It Ahead by Ina Garten. Love her style, her easy recipes and super delicious!

    Reply
  39. Susi

    March 16, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Choosing just one cookbook is tough! If I have to….I would say the first edition of the Gourmet Cookbook (yellow cover), edited by the amazing Ruth Reichel! I would be thrilled to win this giveaway!!!

    Reply
  40. Ginger Clor

    March 16, 2015 at 7:24 am

    My go to cook book is the America’s Test Kitchen, everything I’ve tried has been great!

    Reply
  41. Kathleen

    March 16, 2015 at 6:48 am

    The Vegan Zombie Cookbook

    Reply
  42. Marsha A

    March 16, 2015 at 6:15 am

    The Joy of Cooking. Mine is so old, but it was my mother’s and I love it as it reminds me of her.

    Reply
    • Marsha A

      March 16, 2015 at 11:49 am

      I must have been tired when I read this. I didn’t know it was one reader getting all 12 books! WOW! Thank you so much! Salmon is also my favorite fish and I adore salmon cakes! Pinned this recipe for Lent! Thanks, again!!

      Reply
  43. Carolsue

    March 16, 2015 at 5:45 am

    My favorite cookbook is The Silver Palate cookbook

    Reply
  44. Anne

    March 16, 2015 at 1:36 am

    Favorite cookbook: Don’t really have one but my mom loved the Joy of Cooking.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

My name is Caroline. I’m so happy you’re here! I’m a bit obsessed with food, cooking and nutrition. Here you'll find plant-based recipes using seasonal, fresh and whole-food ingredients that are completely decadent and gratifying.

Holiday Favorites!

This Loaded Hummus is a great crowd-pleasing appetizer, but the hummus recipe itself is a keeper! Make this regularly and keep a container in the fridge! It's great for snacking, lunches and dinners. Naturally vegan and gluten-free. From @tasteLUVnourish
This decadent Baked Mushrooms and Fontina Dip recipe is a super easy crowd pleaser! Made with white wine and some fresh thyme, this cheesy dip has amazing flavor! | @tasteLUVnourish
Hippie Chocolate Bark - dark chocolate loaded with fruits, nuts and seeds. Tips on how to create chocolate bark with just one baking sheet. | @tasteLUVnourish on TasteLoveAndNourish.com
Bump your pumpkin bread up a notch with this Bourbon Glazed Orange Spiced Pumpkin Bread. Fall flavors that will make your mouth super happy, but with a bit less sugar and with heart-healthy fats. Easy, quick and perfect for breakfast, snacks or even dessert! From @tasteLUVnourish #pumpkin #bread #bourbon #glaze #orange #spice #fall #autumn #quickbread #easy #healthy #recipe #tasteloveandnourish #virtualpumpkinparty
Armenian Easter Bread Rounds (Choereg) - we love this brioche-like bread so much, we make it all year round! | @tasteLUVnourish on TasteLoveAndNourish.com
Almond Cookies - chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, these are my favorite cookie! Naturally gluten free. | @tasteLUVnourish

See More...

Copyright © 2025 TASTE LOVE AND NOURISH