12 Simple Canned Salmon Recipes for Quick Meals
Updated: Apr. 27, 2024
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.
Speedy Salmon Patties
Total Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, egg, saltines, Worcestershire sauce, butter
Level: Beginner
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.
“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 also tasty with chopped green peppers added to the mixture.” —Recipe contributor Bonnie Evans, Cameron, North Carolina
Garlic Salmon Linguine
Total Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, linguine, garlic, chicken broth
Level: Beginner
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.
“The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit.” —Recipe contributor Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Air-Fryer Salmon Patties
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Canned salmon, onion, egg, saltines
Level: Beginner
We can’t think of an easier, more satisfying way to transform canned salmon into 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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Bonnie Evans, Cameron, North Carolina
Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese
Total Time: 10 minutes + chill time
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, green onions
Level: Beginner
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Raymonde Hebert Bernier, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Baked Salmon Patties
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, egg substitute, sweet red pepper, cilantro, mayonnaise
Level: Beginner
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Salmon Loaf
Total Time: 1 hour + standing
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, onion, bread crumbs, butter, eggs
Level: Intermediate
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 into the salmon mixture. The accompanying olive cream sauce is a fantastic use for pimiento-stuffed olives.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Dorothy Bateman, Carver, Massachusetts
Potato Salmon Casserole
Total Time: 40 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, cooked potatoes, mayonnaise, cornflakes, cubed Velveeta
Level: Beginner
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Laura Varney, Batavia, Ohio
Simple Salmon Chowder
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, dill, cream-style corn, half-and-half
Level: Intermediate
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Josephine Parton, Granger, Washington
Southern-Fried Salmon Patties
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, eggs, heavy whipping cream, cornmeal, flour, baking powder
Level: Beginner
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
Potato Cheese Soup with Salmon
Total Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, onion, potatoes, chicken broth, milk, cream, cheddar cheese
Level: Beginner
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.
“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!” —Recipe contributor Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Salmon Quiche
Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, refrigerated pie crust, Swiss cheese, eggs
Level: Intermediate
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.
“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 unlike some quiches, it’s very hearty!” —Recipe contributor Deanna Baldwin, Bermuda Dunes, California
Salmon Salad Sandwiches
Total Time: 10 minutes
Main Ingredients: Canned salmon, cream cheese, mayo, lemon juice, buns
Level: Beginner
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.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Yvonne Shust, Shoal Lake, Manitoba
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.
Originally Published: February 10, 2020
