Spicy Chipotle Salmon Cakes with Lemon Mayonnaise

Food & Wine’s Kelsey Youngman loves making these Spicy Chipotle Salmon Cakes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using pantry staples and some fresh lemon, the cakes come together quickly and get some bold spice from the chipotle in adobo. Feel free to use any citrus you have on hand; lime would work particularly well. Slideshow: More Salmon Recipes 

Spicy Chipotle Salmon Cakes with Lemon Mayonnaise
Photo: Abby Hocking
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs
Yield:
8 patties

Ingredients

LEMON MAYONNAISE:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallions

  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

CHIPOTLE SALMON CAKES:

  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallions, plus more for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon seeded and minced chipotle in adobo

  • 1 1/2 cups panko

  • Two 4-ounce cans sockeye salmon, drained and bones removed

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • Canola oil, for frying

Directions

  1. Make the Lemon Mayonnaise In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the scallions and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer 1/2 cup to a small bowl and reserve the remaining mayonnaise for serving.

  2. Make the Chipotle Salmon Cakes In a medium bowl, mix the 1/2 cup of reserved lemon mayonnaise with the scallions, chipotle and 1/2 cup of the breadcrumbs. Gently fold in the salmon and season with salt and pepper.

  3. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Form the salmon mixture into eight 2-inch patties and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

  4. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt. Spread the flour and panko into 2 separate shallow bowls. Dredge the patties in the flour, gently shaking off any excess. Dip the patties in the eggs and then dredge in the panko, pressing lightly to help it adhere.

  5. In a large skillet, heat 1/4-inch of canola oil until shimmering. In batches, fry the salmon cakes in a single layer over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden and hot, about 6 minutes total. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Arrange the salmon patties on a platter, garnish with thinly sliced scallions and serve with the lemon mayonnaise.

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