How Many Carbs Are In Salmon Patties? A Detailed Look Into This Keto-Friendly Seafood Dish

Salmon patties, also known as salmon cakes or salmon croquettes, are a classic seafood dish made by combining canned or cooked salmon with eggs, breadcrumbs or binders, and seasonings. They are then shaped into patties and fried until golden brown. But how many carbs are actually in salmon patties? Let’s take a closer look.

An Overview of Salmon Patties

Salmon patties have been around for decades and are a budget-friendly way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of salmon. The fish provides a good source of lean protein omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and B vitamins.

Traditional salmon patty recipes call for breadcrumbs as the main binding ingredient. However, for those following lower-carb or keto diets, the carb count in regular salmon patties can be too high

Luckily, there are simple changes you can make to salmon patties that will let you still enjoy them while greatly lowering the carbs.

Carb Count in Traditional Salmon Patties

A standard salmon patty made with white breadcrumbs contains approximately

• Total carbs: 18-22g
• Net carbs: 16-20g
• Fat: 10g
• Protein: 10g
• Calories: 190

This is based on a 3.5 ounce (100g) salmon patty.

The high carb count comes mainly from the white breadcrumbs, which provide about 15-20g net carbs per 100g serving.

Salmon does have some carbs because of the glycogen stores in its muscles, but a 100g serving of wild salmon only has about 0 to 2g net carbs.

So the breadcrumbs are responsible for most of the carbs in a classic salmon patty recipe.

How To Make Low Carb Salmon Patties

Luckily, it’s easy to reduce the carbs in salmon patties with a simple substitution:

• Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour.

This switches out the high-carb breadcrumbs for a very low carb binding agent.

Pork rinds contain 0g net carbs per serving. Almond flour has only 2-3g net carbs per 100g.

Here is an example recipe for keto-friendly salmon patties using pork rinds:

• 1 lb canned wild salmon, drained
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup crushed pork rinds
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients except pork rinds. Stir in crushed pork rinds until mixture is fully combined and thickened. Form into patties and pan fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

This recipe makes six 3.5 ounce patties, with just 1.5g net carbs per salmon patty. Compared to 16-20g net carbs in a classic breadcrumb salmon patty, this keto version cuts the carbs by over 90%!

You can use almond flour instead of pork rinds, or a combination of the two. The carb count will be very similar.

Nutrition Facts For Low Carb Salmon Patties

Here are the full nutrition facts for a 3.5 ounce (100g) serving of low carb salmon patties made with pork rinds:

• Total carbs: 2g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Net carbs: 1.5g
• Fat: 14g
• Protein: 13g
• Calories: 170

As you can see, the carb count is significantly lower than a classic salmon patty, while still providing ample protein and healthy fats.

Tips For Making The Best Low Carb Salmon Patties

Here are some helpful tips for achieving the perfect crisp and flavorful keto salmon patties:

• Use wild-caught canned salmon for better nutrition and flavor. Bones and skin should be removed.
• Grate onions instead of dicing them, for an even texture without big chunks.
• Chill the uncooked patties in the fridge for 30 minutes before frying, to help them hold their shape better.
• Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown.
• Check that they are cooked through and flaky in the center before removing from pan.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze for longer term storage.
• Reheat frozen patties in a hot skillet until heated through.

Serving Ideas For Salmon Patties

Salmon cakes pair nicely with fresh lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or yogurt dill dipping sauce.

They can be served as an appetizer or entree. For low carb meal ideas, try:

• Salmon patties over a bed of leafy greens with lemon aioli
• Inside a lettuce wrap with mayo and hot sauce
• As a salmon slider on low carb buns or cloud bread
• With roasted asparagus or cauliflower mash on the side

The options are endless for enjoying these flavorful, budget-friendly seafood patties!

Are Salmon Patties Healthy?

Salmon patties made the low carb way can be a very nutritious addition to your diet.

Here are some of the health benefits of salmon patties:

• High in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA
• Excellent source of protein to help maintain muscle mass
• Contains key micronutrients like selenium, potassium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D
• Low mercury levels compared to some other fish
• Provides anti-inflammatory effects to reduce disease risk
• Heart healthy fats improve cholesterol levels

So yes, salmon patties are incredibly healthy! Choosing wild caught salmon and making them low carb ramps up the nutritional value even more.

Traditional salmon patties can have up to 20g net carbs per serving, mostly from white breadcrumbs. But by swapping in pork rinds or almond flour instead, you can easily make low carb salmon patties with just 1.5g net carbs per patty.

These keto-friendly salmon cakes provide ample protein and nutrition in each serving. Plus they are budget-friendly, quick to make, and satisfying. With healthy fats and key nutrients, salmon patties make an excellent addition to a well-rounded ketogenic diet.