Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (2024)

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (1)

Fishcakes can make for a tasty tea time meal. Crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside- they're easy, relatively quick to make and involves getting your hands messy which is always fun! My mum first introduced me to this recipe from Jamie Oliver, and I have loved them ever since.

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (2)

One of the beauties of the fishcake is how easy it is to play around with: once you've suited the basics to your satisfaction, the choice of icing on this particular 'cake' is very much up to you.In theory, your choice of fish with such a dish is entirely dependent on your leftovers – fishcakes are, as you will see, very flexible things (well, until you try to keep them together in the pan, that is).

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (3)

So be experimental and try whatever fish you fancy, but bear in mind you many need more or less binding agent- in this case, the wetness of the fish together with the egg, so that your fishcakes remain sturdy. But to be on the safe side, if you're feeling in aHeston Blumenthal sort of mood, then pick a 'solid' fish - whitefish or tuna work well.

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (4)

I believe homemade fishcakes taste miles better compared to any of your traditional shop-bought equivalents and this way you'll be able to know exactly what goes into them (which you can't always guarantee when they are cheap-factory made versions.)

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (5)

I enjoy having these fishcakes with some sweet thai chilli sauce (as you can see from my photos) and garnished with coriander, but I have also added a little extra recipe of Jamie's for a tomato, olive, basil and chilli sauce which he recommends as a little bit of extra zing!

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (6)

Be sure to chill your mash potato before using as this makes forming into little patties a piece of cake. (excuse my pun...)

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (7)

Salmon Fishcakes with optional tomato, olive, basil and chilli sauce

A recipe slightly adapted from Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
600g potatoes
500g salmon fillets, skin on, scaled and bones removed
olive oil
a bunch of fresh coriander
1 tablespoon flour, plus extra for dusting
1 large egg
2 lemons
Note: you could prepare the salmon and mash potato the day before you want to eat them, chill them overnight in the fridge, and then use as normal. This makes for sturdy fishcakes which are easier to handle.

Method

Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Peel your potatoes and chop them into even-sized chunks. Rub the salmon fillets all over with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the potatoes to the pan and bring back to the boil. Put the fish into a colander, covered with foil, and place it over the pan of potatoes. Turn the heat down and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the potatoes and fish are both cooked then remove the fish from the colander and put on one side. Drain the potatoes in the colander, then return them to the pan and let them steam dry. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop them.
Mash your potatoes, and then place into another bowl or plate and leave to cool completely. Remove any skin from the fish and when the potatoes are cold, put them into a bowl and flake the fish into it with a tablespoon of flour. Add the egg and chopped coriander with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Then finely grate over the lemon zest, and mash all together to mix it up well.
Dust your work surface with flour, divide the fishcake mixture into 8 and lightly shape and pat into circles about 2cm thick, dusting them with flour as you go. Get yourself a plate or tray, dust it with flour and place your fishcakes on top. Pop them into the fridge for an hour before cooking or in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes for speed. This will allow them to firm up slightly.
Put a large frying pan on a medium heat and add a couple of lugs of olive oil. When the oil is nice and hot, add your fishcakes and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until crisp and golden - you may need to cook them in batches, keeping the others warm in the oven on a very low heat. Serve straight away, with lemon halves for squeezing over, and some peas, broccoli, greens or salad.

Tomato, olive, basil and chilli sauce

Ingredients:

2 cloves of garlic
a small handful of black olives
a few sprigs of fresh basil
1 fresh red chilli
olive oil
1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
sea salt and black pepper

Method

Peel and finely slice your garlic, squash the olives, using the base of a jar or something heavy, and remove the stones. Roughly chop the olives. Pick the basil leaves off their stalks, ripping up any larger leaves then deseed and finely slice the red chilli. In a large frying pan on a high heat add a lug of olive oil followed by the garlic, olives and chilli. When the garlic is lightly golden add the tomatoes, season with just a small pinch of salt (as the olives can be salty) and pepper and leave to simmer for 4-5 minutes. Serve while still hot with your fishcakes.

Jamie's Salmon Fishcakes recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the binding agent for fish cakes? ›

Potato – This is used to bind and fill out the fish cakes. Any starchy or all-rounder potatoes will work fine here. It's better to avoid waxy potatoes if you can but to be honest, even waxy potatoes will work ok. Garlic, chilli, green onion, parsley and thyme – These are the flavourings for the fish cakes.

How do you make fish cakes not fall apart? ›

If you feel that your recipe needs more of a binder, Melanie Cooks suggests adding a bit of flour into the mix to help hold the ingredients together more. Most crab or tuna cakes don't include flour because it's finicky. Too much flour can make them tough, but if you add just a sprinkle in, it will do wonders.

Why do my homemade fish cakes fall apart? ›

You need to work the mixture more. Kneading or mixing the mixture changes the protein and makes it sticky. That help the cakes stay together.

What is a good binder for fish cakes? ›

In addition to the egg, you'll want to add another binding ingredient to help give the fish cake form. A classic choice is breadcrumbs, but you could integrate crushed up crackers, almond flour, or even mashed (or smashed) potatoes into your fish cake mix.

What can I use instead of egg to bind fish cakes? ›

You don't really need egg to bind. Chia seed and chick pea flour can be used to make an egg substitute if you happen to have either to hand. If your potato / fish mix seems a bit wet add a few breadcrumbs and if dry, a splash of milk.

How to get salmon cakes to stay together? ›

egg – the egg helps to bind the salmon patties together. mayonnaise – this also helps to bind the salmon patties, but also adds some creaminess. capers – capers have a lovely briny flavor that add some tartness.

How to stop salmon patties from falling apart? ›

All you have to do is scoop them (make sure they're the same size), flatten them, then set a timer and turn the cakes over halfway through the bake. Make sure to grease the pan or use a sheet of parchment paper to prevent the patties from sticking, and you'll have perfect-looking salmon patties every time.

Why are my salmon cakes mushy? ›

Excess moisture can contribute to a mushy texture in the patties. The binding ingredients may not be in the right proportion. Overmixing can break down the structure. Allowing the salmon mixture to rest before shaping the patties is crucial.

Is the fish in fish cakes already cooked? ›

Products made from minced fish, such as fish cakes, must be cooked thoroughly to make them safe to eat.

What is the pink in fish cake? ›

This processed roll is primarily made of frozen surimi (processed, pureed whitefish), while the pink swirl comes from food coloring. Invented in the 1800s and prepared by slicing and steaming, narutomaki has a history of gracing traditional noodle soups, such as ramen and soba.

What is in a fish shop fish cake? ›

Minced White Fish (33% (Fish), Partially Reconstituted Potato, Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin (B3), Thiamin (B1)], Sunflower Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Water, Palm Oil, Potato Fibre, Seasoning [Salt, Parsley, Black Pepper Extract], Stabiliser: Methylcellulose; Salt, Yeast, Turmeric, Colours: ...

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in fish cakes? ›

Cornflakes are classic breading material, but any grain-based, not-too-sweet cereal works great as a stand-in for traditional breadcrumbs. Corn or rice Chex, Wheaties, and even savory granola and oat-based cereals would make a great crust for your chicken breast or fish filets.

How to stop salmon from falling apart? ›

Grill salmon flesh side down FIRST, then flip over once.

Place the salmon fillets on the grill flesh side down first (so the skin is facing you). Raw salmon is relatively firm, so starting it off with the flesh facing down is a great way to get some nice grill marks on the salmon without it falling apart.

Why are my fishcakes mushy? ›

Typically, if the fishcakes turn out mushy, there's too much moisture in the patties. You can remove excess moisture by pressing the patties with a paper towel. Avoid overdrying them out, or they'll fall apart while cooking.

How do you keep fish cakes from sticking? ›

Add more oil to the pan as needed; you really don't want these to stick. When the bottom surfaces of the fish cakes turn a beautiful golden brown and releases from the pan (about 5 minutes for us), flip them over. Once you've flipped all the fish cakes over, turn the heat to medium.

What can I use as a binder for fish? ›

First, use the right “glue.” If you've got the time and patience, a traditional breading (flour, egg and breadcrumbs) will work, but a far less messy and time-consuming binder is mayonnaise. It brings a bit of richness to the fish and spreads onto the fillets with a spatula so you can keep your hands clean.

What are the binding agents for fish food? ›

Carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, pectin) and various other polysaccharides, such as extracts or derivatives from animals (gelatin), plants (gum arabic, locust bean), and seaweeds (agar, carageenin, and other alginates) are also popular binding agents.

What is the binder in fish feed? ›

Most of binder are protein and sugar, can provide a certain of nutritive. Consider the impacts of binder on aquatic animals' growth and survive, if there are too much starch, that will effect the growth of fish. Use the binder properly. Enough temperature, moisture and time.

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