These pan-fried salmon balls are one of my go-to recipes for transforming fresh salmon into something fun, quick, and totally crave-worthy. Whether you serve them with a salad, as an appetizer, or in a sandwich, they bring restaurant-worthy flavor to your home kitchen.
Chop the salmon into large chunks and pulse it in a food processor just until it’s finely chopped. Avoid pureeing it—you're aiming for texture, not paste.
Transfer the salmon to a large bowl.
Add the Panko, mayo, shallots, parsley, capers, lemon juice, Dijon, salt, pepper, and flour (if using).
Mix everything gently until the ingredients are evenly combined. The mixture should feel tacky and hold together easily. If it's too wet, stir in a little more Panko or pop it in the fridge to firm up.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the balls hold their shape during frying.
Form the mixture into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter—you’ll get around 20 to 24.
Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s bubbling and hot (but not smoking), it’s ready.
Fry the salmon balls in batches, turning every 2–3 minutes to brown all sides evenly. Cook each batch for 6 to 8 minutes or until the interior temperature hits 125–130°F.
Drain the cooked salmon balls briefly on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve warm.
To make the pan sauce:
Melt the butter in a small skillet then add the olive oil. Turn off the heat when the butter is melted.
Add the chopped parsley, capers, lemon juice, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, then drizzle over your salmon balls.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
This recipe is designed for fresh salmon. Canned salmon will be too wet and may need extra breadcrumbs or even flour to bind it into balls.
Don’t skip the chilling time. It’s tempting to rush, but the mixture firms up significantly, making shaping and frying much easier.
If you’re meal prepping, shape the balls ahead of time and store them uncooked in the fridge up to 24 hours.
Try adding a little chopped dill or a pinch of smoked paprika for a flavor twist.
Keep the heat at medium—not high—or the outside will brown too fast before the inside cooks through.
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.