Salmon Patties with Tartar Sauce are an inexpensive and delicious meal that’s a fun childhood memory for me. And through the years I’ve adapted my mom’s recipe for this into a version that’s low-carb and gluten-free.

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Low-Carb Salmon Patties with Double-Dill Tartar Sauce found on KalynsKitchen.com

I don’t remember my mom ever cooking fresh fish for our family, except for the very occasional time when my dad would go fishing and bring home Utah Rainbow Trout, which mom would pan-fry whole and we’d eat them with lots of lemon juice. However, I do have fond memories of my mom making Salmon Patties, made from canned salmon, and fried until they were crispy on the outside.

Some other kids in the family would turn up their nose at the idea of Salmon Patties for dinner, but I always loved them, and when I think about my mom making dinner for our huge family of ten kids, this is one of her recipes that I remember most.

And years ago I posted a recipe for my mom’s Salmon Patties, but then I started adapting her recipe a little bit nearly every time I made them, and I ended up with these delicious and Salmon Patties with Tartar Sauce that are low-carb and gluten-free. If you’re a fan of salmon, I hope you try this recipe!

What ingredients do you need for this recipe?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

How did I make the salmon patties recipe low-carb and gluten-free?

In this updated version of salmon patties I switched bread crumbs for a combination of Almond Flour (affiliate link) and Hemp Seeds (affiliate link), which added lots of nutty flavor. And this updated version of my mom’s recipe has only 1 net carb per serving!

What else did I change to add flavor to the updated salmon patties?

In the new salmon patties recipe I also increased the amount of finely chopped green onions and added some finely chopped capers, probably an ingredient my mom never heard of. And my upgraded low-carb Salmon Patties have a little of my favorite Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link) for even more good flavor. These salmon patties may not compare with fresh wild salmon, but they’re a frugal pantry meal that’s healthy and very tasty.

What if you don’t have Almond Flour or Hemp Hearts?

I know some people won’t want to buy Almond Flour and/or Hemp Hearts, although you might be able to find both of them at Costco. Another option for the binding ingredient is Flaxseed Meal (affiliate link), or you could use oat bran (affiliate link) or Gluten-Free Rolled Oats (affiliate link) that’s been ground in a food processor, although those will add more carbs. But if you can possibly acquire the combination of Almond Flour and Hemp Hearts that I used, I think you’ll love the nutty flavor they add, and if you’re not familiar with Hemp Seeds (also called hemp hearts), they are also very nutritious!

What sauces would be good with the Salmon Patties?

These Salmon Patties are great with my Homemade Tartar Sauce, but you could also eat them with Cucumber Dill Sauce, or Tzatziki sauce. And some people might enjoy them with Sriracha Dipping Sauce as well!

Low-Carb Salmon Patties process shots collage

How to Make Salmon Patties with Tartar Sauce:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

  1. Drain the canned salmon into a colander placed in the sink, break apart with a fork and let it drain well.
  2. While salmon drains measure the Hemp Seeds and Almond Flour and finely chop the green onion and capers.
  3. Put drained salmon, almond meal, hemp seeds, chopped green onion, chopped capers, Fish Rub, salt, and pepper into a bowl and add 2 eggs. (Bad photo, but there is another egg under there!)
  4. Mix together with a fork until all ingredients are moistened.
  5. Shape the salmon mixture into 6 patties and put them on a small baking sheet. Use parchment paper sheets (affiliate link) if you have some, which will prevent sticking.
  6. Chill the salmon patties in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
  7. Then heat olive oil over medium-high heat in the biggest non-stick frying pan you have.
  8. Cook the salmon patties about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
  9. Serve hot.

Salmon Patties on serving plate with Tartar Sauce

More Tasty Low-Carb Ideas with Salmon:

Low-Carb Salmon Patties with Double-Dill Tartar Sauce found on KalynsKitchen.com
Yield: 6 salmon patties

Salmon Patties with Tartar Sauce

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes

Salmon Patties with Double-Dill Homemade Tartar Sauce are a recipe that has fun childhood memories for me.

Ingredients

  • 2 6 oz. cans salmon, well drained (see notes)
  • 3 T Almond Flour (see notes)
  • 3 T Hemp Seeds (see notes)
  • 3 T chopped green onion
  • 1 T capers, drained well and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. Szeged Fish Rub (see notes)
  • salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 T olive oil (or slightly more, depending on your pan)

Instructions

  1. Drain the salmon in a colander placed in the sink, breaking apart with a fork.
  2. While the salmon drains, measure the almond flour or Almond Meal and hemp seeds. Chop the green onions, and drain and finely chop the capers.
  3. Put drained salmon into a mixing bowl with almond meal, hemp hearts, chopped green onion, chopped capers, fish rub, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add 2 eggs; then use a fork to gently combine the mixture until all the salmon is moistened with eggs.
  5. Use your clean hands to form 6 patties and put them on a small baking sheet (with parchment paper if you have some.) Put salmon patties in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill. (Probably optional, but this definitely helps them hold together better.)
  6. After 15 minutes chilling, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick frying pan. Cook salmon patties about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they're golden brown and cooked though. Lift up an edge to see when it's time to turn them, and turn carefully!
  7. Cooking time will vary depending on your pan and how hot medium-high is on your stove, so watch for that golden brown color.
  8. Serve hot, with Double-Dill Tartar Sauce. These would also be delicious with Cucumber Dill Sauce, or Tzatziki sauce.

Notes

You can also use or one large 14 3/4 oz. can of salmon if that's what you have.

I used Almond Flour (affiliate link) but Almond Meal will also work for this recipe.

Hemp Seeds (affiliate link) were a delicious flavor boost, but you could use Flaxseed Meal (affiliate link) if that's what you have.

I love the flavors in Szeged Fish Rub (affiliate link) but any fish rub will work.

For the tartar sauce, I love using my favorite dill pickles.

Nutritional information does not include Tartar Sauce or other sauces.

This recipe was first posted as my mom's Salmon Patties, and adapted many times through the years to this keeper version.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 232Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 3gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 98mgSodium 190mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 17g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating (under the PRINT button in the recipe) or share a photo of your results on Instagram! THANKS!

Square image of Salmon Patties with Tartar Sauce shown on serving platter.

Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
The Salmon Patties recipe served with my Homemade Tartar Sauce are suitable for any low-carb or Keto diet, or for any phase of the original South Beach Diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Denny Family Recipes to find more recipes like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This recipe for Salmon Patties was first posted in 2007! It was updated with better photos in 2018 and was last updated with more information in 2024.

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