Thai Salmon Cakes

We love Chinook (king) salmon baked or pan-fried on its own, but sometimes we crave a little variety. 

One of the many selling points of Chinook (king) salmon is its versatility. We love it simply prepared in the oven with a little salt, pepper, and lemon—or paired with the vibrant flavors of ginger, garlic, cilantro, and lime. Here, we opted for the latter, gently mixing freshly flaked salmon with classic Thai ingredients. Top these Thai salmon cakes with freshly torn cilantro, sweet chili sauce, and homemade cilantro-lime-mayo and serve as an appetizer—or add rice or noodles and make it a main course. 

THAI SALMON CAKES RECIPE 

IMPORTANT: Make sure your Chinook (king) salmon is properly thawed before cooking.

Ingredients (Serves 2-4 adults):

• 1 pound local Chinook (king) salmon
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 large egg 
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or any crushed cracker)
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic 
• Salt to taste
• 1-2 tablespoons sesame oil for pan frying 
• Freshly chopped cilantro to garnish 
• 4 fresh lime wedges 
• Sweet Thai chili sauce for dipping 
• For additional dipping: mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, juice of 1 fresh lime wedge, and 1 tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro

Cooking Instructions: 

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Generously salt salmon fillets. Place salted salmon fillets on a baking sheet and cook for 10-15 minutes.  
2. Allow salmon fillets to cool, then flake large chunks with a fork. 
3. Add the salmon flakes to a large mixing bowl. Add green onions, egg, panko breadcrumbs, fish sauce, mayonnaise, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of salt. 
4. Mix until combined but be careful not to over mix—you should still see large chunks of ingredients. 
5. Form into 1/2 inch patties. 
6. Over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon at a time of sesame oil to frying pan. Place 3-4 patties in pan at a time. Cook 2-3 minutes per side. (Only flip the patties once and be gentle while flipping.)
7. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, fresh lime wedges, and 2 dipping sauces: Sweet Thai chili sauce and homemade cilantro-lime-mayo.