How to Make Delicious Salmon Cakes Without Eggs

A classic and tasty way to enjoy the taste of salmon in a fun, hand-held form is with salmon cakes. The crisp, golden exterior pairs perfectly with the soft, flaky salmon interior. Most of the time, eggs are used to help hold the cakes together, but sometimes eggs aren’t available, or people with food allergies may need an eggless salmon cake. There are many simple things you can use instead of eggs to make delicious salmon cakes!

At our site we love cooking up quick easy meals to feed our families. Salmon cakes are in constant rotation for busy weeknights since they use simple ingredients we usually have on hand. While we normally make our salmon cakes with eggs, we’ve discovered some great methods to bind the cakes and keep them together when eggs aren’t an option.

Why Use Eggs in Salmon Cakes?

In a typical salmon patty recipe, eggs serve a few important purposes:

• Binding agent – Eggs help bind the other ingredients together so the patties hold their shape during cooking Salmon can be quite delicate on its own

• Moisture – Eggs add moisture to the patties, keeping them tender and preventing dryness.

• Structure – The protein structure of eggs physically supports the patties and gives them an inner “skeleton” so they don’t fall apart.

• Taste—The eggs have a mild taste that goes well with the salmon.

When making salmon cakes without eggs, we have to find substitutes that can perform some or all of these functions. Luckily, there are plenty of handy ingredient swaps to choose from!

Handy Egg Substitutes for Salmon Patties

If you’re looking to recreate the binding power of eggs in salmon cakes, here are some of our favorite substitutions:

1. Ground Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds offer an amazing egg substitute thanks to their gelatinous texture when mixed with water. To replace one egg, simply mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water. Let sit for a few minutes to thicken. The “goop” mimics the binding qualities of an egg.

2. Chia Seeds

Like flaxseeds, chia seeds become gelatinous when combined with water, making them an excellent egg replacement. For each egg, mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before using.

3. Mashed Potatoes

Cooked and mashed potatoes add moisture and starch to help bind salmon cakes. Substitute 2-3 tablespoons of mashed potato per egg. Make sure the potatoes are fully cooked and well-mashed.

4. Mayonnaise

Adding a couple tablespoons of mayo per missing egg provides moisture and richness. Take care not to add too much mayo or the flavor will overpower the salmon.

5. Crushed Crackers

Saltine, Ritz, or other crackers crushed into crumbs mimic the starch and binding qualities of breadcrumbs. Use about 3-4 crushed crackers per egg.

6. Breadcrumbs or Panko

Sprinkle in a few extra tablespoons of breadcrumbs or panko per missing egg to absorb moisture while adding more structure.

7. Oats

Dry oats blended into a flour-like consistency can provide substance and absorb moisture. Use 1-2 tablespoons oat flour per egg.

8. Silken Tofu

Blended silken tofu adds protein and moisture similar to eggs. Use about 1/4 cup blended tofu per egg.

Tips for Making Eggless Salmon Patties

When developing our own eggless salmon cake recipe, we discovered a few helpful tips:

• Use very fresh, high-quality salmon. Old or lower quality fish will be even more delicate without eggs to bind it.

• Chill the patties after forming for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This firms them up to hold their shape better.

• Handle patties gently when placing in the pan. Use a spatula to transfer instead of fingers.

• Don’t move the patties around once they hit the pan. Let them set and brown before gently flipping.

• Cook over medium to medium-high heat. High heat can cause delicate patties to break apart.

• Include a starch like potatoes or oats to mimic the binding ability of eggs.

• Add a touch of mayo or oil for extra moisture and richness.

• Use panko breadcrumbs instead of plain to provide more structure.

• Consider baking instead of pan-frying. The oven’s gentle heat won’t disturb the patties as much.

Our Favorite Eggless Salmon Cake Recipe

After lots of trials, we developed an eggless salmon cake recipe that produces tender, flavorful patties that hold together beautifully. Here’s how we make them:

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can salmon, drained and flaked

• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped onion

• 1⁄4 cup minced fresh parsley

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water

• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1⁄4 teaspoon smoked paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine drained salmon, onion, parsley, mayonnaise, mustard, panko, flaxseed mixture, garlic powder, paprika, and salt and pepper. Gently mix just until combined.

2. Form mixture into 4 patties, about 1⁄2 inch thick. Chill for 10-15 minutes.

3. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry patties for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

The flaxseed mixture helps bind while the onion, parsley, and panko add moisture and texture. The mayo and mustard provide richness to make up for the missing egg yolks. Feel free to experiment with other egg substitutes as well!

Serving Up Your Eggless Salmon Cakes

Once your eggless salmon cakes come hot off the skillet, you’ll want to serve them in style. Here are some of our favorite ways to complete the meal:

• Top with lemon wedges, dill sauce, or caper-dill tartar sauce

• Nestle on a bed of leafy greens for an entree salad

• Place on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce for salmon sliders

• Pair with classic sides like potato salad, coleslaw, roasted veggies, or instant potato flakes

• Top with a fried egg for extra protein if not avoiding eggs entirely

Now that you know our tricks for making salmon cakes without eggs, you can enjoy this tasty meal anytime – with or without eggs on hand! Let us know if you try our eggless salmon patty recipe, or if you have your own favorite substitutions. Wishing you lots of success serving up egg-free salmon cakes for your family.