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

How do you make fish cakes not fall apart? ›

Chill the fish cakes in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them set up so they don't fall apart doing cooking.

Why do my homemade fish cakes fall apart? ›

Your recipe is out of balance. Too much sugar, fat or liquid or not enough flour. Or you could be opening your oven before the cake is set and the cake is falling at that point.

Why are my fish cakes rubbery? ›

Most version include egg which is used as a binder. In this recipe, you have that option but personally I prefer the texture without the egg. Adding egg gives the Thai fish cakes a rubbery texture which some people like.

Why are my fishcakes mushy? ›

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.

What is the best binder for fish cakes? ›

Eggs and cracker crumbs will help bind everything together below a drift of spice.

What to use as binder 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 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? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

Then you can scoop the cakes and put them on a sheet pan to cool down in the fridge once again. The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely.

Why won't my salmon patties stay together? ›

Make sure your mixture isn't too wet or too dry

For your patties to stay together and cook without falling apart, you must get the moisture just right.

How do you know when fish cakes are done? ›

Add vegetable oil to a frying pan until it around 1cm deep. Heat this until a small piece of fishcake dropped in starts to bubble. Fry the fishcakes a few at a time until the base is golden, flip them and repeat with the other side. Keep flipping until the fishcakes are a deep brown colour (but not burnt).

What is the swirl in fish cake? ›

This processed roll is primarily made of frozen surimi (processed, pureed whitefish), while the pink swirl comes from food coloring.

How to thicken fish cake mixture? ›

One egg per 6 ounce can of fish and just enough bread crumbs or matzoh meal to make the mixture firm enough to form patties. Some people like to use mayonnaise as a binder inatead 9f, or combined with the egg.

Why did my salmon patties fall apart? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

Why are my fish cakes falling apart when frying? ›

Firstly, make sure you're using something to bind your ingredients together – like an egg. Secondly, use a firm fish when making your fish cakes, and thirdly you can always add cornflour or panko breadcrumbs to help your fish cakes stay together.

Can I freeze homemade fish cakes? ›

Dip each of the fish cakes in flour, pat off any excess, then dip in the egg. Finally, coat in the breadcrumbs and transfer to a clean plate or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining fish cakes. You can freeze the fish cakes now for up to three months, or chill for 1-2 days.

How to make fish cakes stay together? ›

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. Not only will these ingredients help to hold your fish cake together; they'll help to keep your cakes from becoming dense pucks of protein.

References

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