Salmon Croquettes

Salmon Croquettes with Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce

A Salmon Croquette is a small, formed disc (some may call it a patty) made with flaked, canned salmon, herbs, and seasonings.  I grew up on these; my mother made them on a regular basis and I looked forward to it. They’re pan fried, crispy on the outside, and soft in the middle. If you’re not familiar, try them at least once! Today we had a mother/daughter day at her house and she cooked these up but added a little heat, which I loved.  

If you’re not a salmon fan, do NOT run!

Just continue to read before you say ‘ugh’. It’s not a big piece of fish, it won’t kill you. However, stay away if you’re allergic. 

You know how you have certain dishes that you grew up eating – the ones that you’re used to and don’t give much thought until you get older? When that happens, you appreciate them.

For me, those foods would include (and I don’t mean all together) butterbeans (we would put ketchup on them…just try it sometime), a bone in chicken breast dish with a creamy sauce that I can’t replicate to save my life, her biscuits and gravy, and salmon croquettes.   

Salmon Croquettes

I can remember thinking as a kid “What in the hell is a croquette?“.  But as far as I remember I don’t think I ever asked. 

I just ate.

By the way, here’s the official definition according to Wikipedia:

A croquette is a small fried food roll containing usually as main ingredients mashed potatoes, and/or minced meat (veal, beef, chicken, or turkey), shellfish, fish, vegetables, and soaked white bread, egg, onion, spices and herbs, wine, milk, beer or any of the combination thereof, sometimes with a filling, often encased in breadcrumbs.

The croquette is usually shaped into a cylinder or disk, and then deep-fried. The croquette (from the French croquer, “to crunch”) was a French invention that gained worldwide popularity, both as a delicacy and as a fast food.

My mother typically has never measured, weighed, or really went by any recipe.  The food she made she literally just put together and it was always good. 

Sometimes I have that knack…. sometimes not so much

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If you aren’t familiar with horseradish mustard, here’s a pic of what she used. 

I will be buying this from now on.

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Let’s Make Salmon Croquettes

Combine the dipping sauce ingredients together in a small bowl; refrigerate.

Begin by opening the can of salmon and drain it – I like to de-bone (or fillet?) the salmon before using it, but you don’t have to. 

It’s those tiny little round bone thingy’s that gross me out so I have to get rid of them.

Next, mix the salmon and egg until combined.  Then throw in the rest of the ingredients.  Mix together (my mother used her hands, and so do I).

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Then form into burger-sized croquettes.

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Heat a grill or saute pan over medium-high heat and add the canola and chili oil. 

If you don’t have chili pepper oil, that’s ok – there’s enough heat in the croquettes themselves if you’re a heat-a-holic.

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When the oil is hot, add the salmon croquettes to the pan.

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Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom, then flip.

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Cook about another 5-7 minutes until browned on the bottom. 

Remove from heat.

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Immediately grab a fork, cut into one and dunk it into the dipping sauce. 

Then get a plate and have one. 

Or three.sal12

Salmon Croquettes

Spicy Salmon Croquettes with Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce

Yield: 4 Croquettes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Dipping Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp horseradish mustard

Salmon Croquettes:

  • 1 can salmon
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 envelope onion soup mix
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp horseradish mustard
  • 1 tbsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp mango-lime seasoning (we used Weber brand)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp chili pepper oil
  • 1 tbsp canola oil

Instructions

  1. Combine the dipping sauce ingredients together in a small bowl; refrigerate
  2. Begin by opening the can of salmon and drain it - I like to de-bone (or fillet?) the salmon before using it, but you don't have to.  It's those tiny little round bone thingy's that gross me out so I have to get rid of them
  3. Next, mix the salmon and egg until combined.  Then throw in the rest of the ingredients.  Mix together (my mother used her hands, and so do I).
  4. Then form into burger-sized patties.
  5. Heat a grill or saute pan over medium-high heat and add the canola and chili oil. If you don’t have chili pepper oil, that’s ok – there’s enough heat in the croquettes themselves if you’re a heat-a-holic.When the oil is hot, add the salmon croquettes to the pan.
  6. When the oil is hot, add the salmon croquettes to the pan.
  7. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom, then flip.
  8. Cook about another 5-7 minutes until browned on the bottom. Remove from heat.
  9. Immediately grab a fork, cut into one and dunk it into the dipping sauce. Then get a plate and have one. Or three.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 351Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 1362mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 19g

The provided nutrition calculated may not always be accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

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Want more salmon croquette inspiration?

Salmon Croquettes from Grandbaby Cakes

Salmon Croquettes with Dill from Skinnytaste

Salmon Croquettes with Cilantro Mayonnaise from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Author

  • Shea

    Shea Goldstein is a writer and the voice behind Dixie Chik Cooks. She's also a recipe developer and brand ambassador. She has been published in several media platforms such as Redbook, Parade, Food Blogger Magazine and more. She has been developing recipes and writing since 2009. Shea is a Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch

This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Nothing like Mom’s cooking! I love salmon but am a little hesitant to use horseradish. Is the sauce strong?

    1. admin

      No, the sauce isn’t strong but is sooo good. I wanted to eat it by itself. If you don’t like real spicy leave out the red pepper flakes and maybe the cayenne from the croquettes. If you do, the kick is great but you wouldn’t miss it.

  2. Tiffany

    My only attempt at making “crab cakes” was a total failure, but with your step by step instructions, and tempting recipe, I will try these! Thanks to your Mom for sharing!

  3. Tiffany

    My only attempt at “crab cakes” was a total failure, but with your fantastic step by step instructions and very tempting recipe, I might try these!

  4. Annie

    Oh my goodness, I grew up with a version of the vary same thing but we called them salmon patties. We never did have a sauce for them even though I thought we should. Now I have a sauce! Thanks!

    1. admin

      LOL we called them that too…they weren’t spicy and we dipped them in ketchup. I told my mother we needed to give them a makeover 😉

  5. Kate @ Diethood.com

    Hi dixiechikcooks’ Mom! Thank you for sharing your recipe – these salmon croquettes sound incredible!

  6. Tiffany

    Salmon croquettes make me think of my nana! Thanks for sharing!

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