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15 Minute Salmon and Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini and salmon fritters are the perfect quick and healthy dinner when you’re in a pinch. Made with canned salmon, zucchini, breadcrumbs and some spices, my zucchini salmon cakes are high in protein and healthy fats, and ready in less than 20 minutes!

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As a Registered Dietitian, I’m all about getting people to eat more fish. After all, most of us aren’t reaching our EPA and DHA dietary goals (essential healthy unsaturated fatty acids).

While fresh seafood can be expensive, canned seafood is totally budget-friendly and has a long shelf-life. There’s a reason it’s a pantry staple over here!

Canned salmon is wonderful for making patties, salads, and even burgers and meatballs. And these are very kid-friendly – as you can see from reader reviews!

When I’m short on time, I reach for these zucchini salmon fritters. The most time intensive part is spiralizing the zucchini (even though it only takes minutes!), but for a shortcut, buy pre-spiralized zucchini and then it’s done for you!

Although if you don’t want to spiralize your zucchini, you can make these Salmon and sweetpotato cakes – also very delicious!

overhead view of table with zucchini turmeric salmon patties on white plate with fries and side of tomatoes and ketchup

Why We Love These Zucchini Salmon Fritters

  • Quick weeknight dinner – 15-20 minutes? Say no more.
  • Budget-friendly recipe – That still provides ample nutrition!
  • Great way to expose toddlers and kids to fish – Don’t be intimidated by salmon – they can use their favorite dip in these salmon and zucchini fritters. We love salmon for babies!
  • Easy for meal prep – You can make these in bulk and either freeze them cooked or uncooked.

Ingredients

These salmon fritters have zucchini, salmon, breadcrumbs and some spices – they make a delicious combination!

white bowls with ingredients to make salmon patties

How To Make Salmon and Zucchini Fritters

First and foremost, buy yourself a spiralizer! If you haven’t purchased one of these yet, it will be the best $9.00 you’ve ever spent.

It’s a great way to add in veggies, fiber and nutrients in to your next meal (like sweet potato spaghetti), and a fun way to sneak veggies in a non-traditional way. 

Step 1: You’ll start by spiralizing your zucchini. As previously mentioned, you can save a few minutes here by buying frozen spiralized zucchini that’s already ready to go!

mixed ingredients for turmeric salmon burgers
Spiralized zucchini mixed with other ingredients in mixing bowl.

Step 2: Next, mix the zucchini in a bowl with the other ingredients (eggs, canned salmon, and some spices).

So easy, and did I mention, ready in under 20 minutes? Ideal Thursday night dinner idea. If you prefer baked salmon patties, you can just toss them in the oven.

Mixing bowl with spiralized zucchini and canned salmon before cooking

Step 3: Form your batter into 2-3-inch patties. My batter made about 6 patties. Cook them for about 4-6 minutes per side, until they reach your desired crispiness.

zucchini salmon cakes before baking
Salmon and zucchini fritters before baking

I’ve figured out how to make dreams come true: I’ve used canned salmon and molded it into mini burger patties with these zucchini salmon fritters.

Salmon patties with zucchini are a great and easy lunch idea for a toddler.
Zucchini and salmon patties make for an easy weeknight family dinner!

I recommend pairing these canned salmon patties with some fries, fruit, or hummus pasta salad to make them a more complete meal option.

Interested in trying a different fish sliders recipe? These alaska cod sliders have more of a neutral whitefish taste and are delicious topped with the homemade cranberry chutney!

Storage

Store your cooked zucchini salmon fritters in the fridge.

You can also freeze them, cooked or uncooked, though I prefer cooked.

To freeze, let them cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe airtight container or ziplock bag. I like to use parchment paper or fax paper to help prevent them from sticking.

When ready to cook, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and heat.

Other Recipes You May Like

open faced zucchini salmon cake with canned salmon in the background
Servings 6

Salmon Zucchini Fritters

Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN
These zucchini salmon fritters can be made in less than 20 minutes and are high in protein and healthy fats!
4.53 from 17 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  1. Using a spiralizer, zoodle one zucchini.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix zucchini, salmon, eggs, spices and panko.
  3. Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  4. Form salmon patties (I used ¼ cup measurement size) and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until browned

Notes

*The black pepper will help with the absorption of turmeric

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 15gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 336mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
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  1. These look simple and delish! I’d like to make them for blw for my 7.5 mo, but we can’t have egg. Thoughts on maybe using flax instead?

  2. I recommend straining the water out of the zucchini before mixing it all together. It helps create more of a patty and easier to fry on the stove!

  3. Yummy. I just finished making the salmon cakes and it was great. I didn’t have panko bread crumbs so I used Italian seasoned bread crumbs.
    I put it on a bunch with lettuce, tomato, mayo and a drop of lemon juice.
    Then I ate another salmon cake with just lemon juice on it.
    Next time I will shred vs spiral the zucchini and add a little more tumeric.
    I loved it. Thank you for the recipe.

    1. Yes, you can! I just added instructions to the blog post. Just let them cool and then store them in freezer friendly bags or containers. I like to keep wax or freezer paper around them to prevent them from sticking!