Got Ground Salmon? Here Are 10 Delicious Ways to Use It

When you think of salmon, you probably picture a fillet baked with olive oil, lemon, and seasonings. But ground salmon is surprisingly versatile. Its texture makes it perfect for patties, burgers, kebabs, fillings, and even meatball-style dishes, while its mild flavor pairs beautifully with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, vegetables, and Asian-inspired seasonings.

Best of all, the same basic ingredient can become an entirely different meal depending on what you add to it. Here are 10 easy ways to turn ground salmon into something delicious.

One important rule before you start: Salmon cooks quickly. Overcooking can leave it dry, so cook it only until the fish is fully cooked through.

1. Juicy Salmon Patties in Tomato Sauce

For the patties: 1 pound ground salmon, 1 egg, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves, minced, 1/2 cup chopped parsley or cilantro, 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and paprika.

For the sauce: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, black pepper, and 1/2 cup water.

Mix all the patty ingredients and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a wide pot and lightly sauté the garlic. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Shape the salmon mixture into patties and gently place them in the sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

2. Salmon Burgers With Avocado

Mix 1 pound ground salmon with 1 egg, 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, 1 small diced onion, 1 teaspoon mustard, a little minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

Shape the mixture into four large patties and refrigerate for about 20 minutes to help them firm up. Cook in a lightly oiled skillet for a few minutes on each side, until cooked through.

Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato, avocado slices, and a simple sauce made from mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice.

3. Herbed Salmon Kebabs

Combine 1 pound ground salmon with 1 small finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs.

Mix well and shape into elongated kebabs. Brush lightly with olive oil and cook in a skillet, in the oven, or on the grill until cooked through.

4. Crispy Salmon Arayes

Mix 1 pound ground salmon with 1 small chopped onion, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, paprika, a little cumin, salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Cut pita breads in half and fill each pocket with a thin layer of the salmon mixture. Brush the outside of the pita with a little olive oil and cook in a grill pan or oven until the pita is crisp and the salmon is cooked through.

Serve hot with tahini and tomato salad.

5. Peppers Stuffed With Salmon and Rice

Mix 1 pound ground salmon with 1 cup partially cooked rice, chopped onion, parsley or cilantro, salt, black pepper, and paprika.

Remove the tops and seeds from 5 to 6 bell peppers and fill them with the mixture, taking care not to pack the filling too tightly.

Arrange the peppers in a pot and pour a sauce made from crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, water, and seasonings around them. Cover and cook until the peppers and rice are tender and the salmon is cooked through.

This is an especially good way to stretch a relatively small amount of salmon into a satisfying family meal.

6. Salmon and Potato Latkes

Boil 2 potatoes until tender and mash them. Add 14 ounces ground salmon, 1 egg, 1 small chopped onion, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and a little minced garlic.

Shape into flat patties. Fry them in a small amount of oil, or arrange them on a baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and bake at 400°F until golden and cooked through.

7. Asian-Style Salmon Patties

Combine 1 pound ground salmon with 2 chopped scallions, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 egg, and 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs.

Shape into small patties and cook in a lightly oiled skillet until browned on both sides.

For a quick sauce, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, a splash of lemon or lime juice, and 1 tablespoon water. Pour the sauce over the patties toward the end of cooking and let everything cook together for another minute or two.

Serve with white rice and stir-fried vegetables.

8. Pasta With Mini Salmon Meatballs

Combine 14 ounces ground salmon with 1 small egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.

Shape into small balls and gently brown them in a skillet. Prepare a simple tomato sauce with olive oil, garlic, and crushed tomatoes, then add the salmon meatballs and simmer for just a few minutes.

Toss with your favorite cooked pasta and serve immediately.

9. Salmon and Vegetable Casserole

Mix 14 ounces ground salmon with 1 grated zucchini, squeezed well to remove excess liquid, 1 grated carrot, 1 chopped onion, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and a little paprika.

Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until set, golden, and cooked through.

You can also divide the mixture among greased muffin cups to make individual portions.

10. Salmon Patties in Lemon-Garlic Sauce

If you prefer bright, lemony flavors to tomato sauce, try this simple one-pot version.

Mix 1 pound ground salmon with 1 egg, chopped onion, chopped cilantro, 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide pot and add 5 sliced garlic cloves. Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 cup water, salt, and black pepper, and bring to a gentle boil.

Shape the salmon mixture into patties and carefully add them to the sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Finish with fresh cilantro and an extra squeeze of lemon juice.

The Secret to Juicy Ground Salmon

The biggest mistake with ground salmon is adding too many breadcrumbs or cooking it for too long. The uncooked mixture should remain somewhat soft rather than becoming firm and dense.

If the mixture feels too soft to shape, refrigerate it for about 20 minutes before adding more breadcrumbs. Chilling often makes it much easier to work with without sacrificing moisture.

With one package of ground salmon and a few pantry staples, you can make everything from burgers and crispy pita pockets to saucy patties and pasta. Once you start treating ground salmon as more than just an alternative way to serve fish, the possibilities are surprisingly varied.