What is paleo food

Main Dishes

October 25, 2026

Spicy Salmon Cakes – spicy salmon cakes

Spicy Salmon Cakes

1 pound (454 g) canned wild-caught salmon (or equivalent amount of cooked fish)

¼ cup Paleo Mayonnaise (see recipe) or store-bought mayo (just check your labels!)

1 large egg

2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely minced green onion (white and green parts)

2 teaspoons (10 ml) sriracha (or more if you like yours extra spicy!)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil

1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil or cooking fat of choice

  1. Combine all the ingredients except for the 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil or cooking fat in a medium bowl. Form into fish cakes of equal size. We like ours about 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
  2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches, if need be, cook the salmon cakes for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and hot. Alternatively, you can finish these off in a 350°F (180°C) oven, should you choose, about 8 to 10 minutes.

NOTE: We have found great canned wild-caught salmon at Costco for an excellent price. Just be sure to check your labels!

More Recipes You'll Love

These spicy salmon cakes turn canned wild salmon into crisp-edged, golden cakes with mayo, green onion, sriracha, and a touch of sesame oil. They fry in minutes and can finish in the oven if you are feeding a crowd. Weeknight protein that feels like a treat.

Pro Tips

  • Mix everything except the frying oil in one bowl, then form cakes about 2-3 inches in diameter. Uniform size means even browning.
  • Work in batches so the pan is not crowded. Overcrowding drops the pan temperature and the cakes steam instead of crisping.
  • Cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through, or finish them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes for a hands-off batch.
  • Check your labels - canned wild-caught salmon is the star here, and brands vary in their additives.
  • Like them extra spicy? Add more sriracha to the mix - it is the sole source of the heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spicy salmon cakes paleo?

They are, with compliant mayo - canned salmon, paleo mayonnaise, egg, green onion, sriracha, and sesame oil. No breadcrumbs anywhere.

Can I use fresh cooked salmon instead of canned?

Yes - an equivalent amount of cooked fish works. Flake it well so it mixes evenly with the mayo and egg.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes. Give them a quick sear and finish in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes, or bake them fully for a lighter take.

How do I store leftovers?

Refrigerate the cakes for up to 3 days and rewarm them in a hot skillet so the outsides crisp up again.

Recipe Card

Spicy Salmon Cakes – spicy salmon cakes
Stav Kogan

Spicy Salmon Cakes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb canned wild-caught salmon (or equivalent amount of cooked fish)
  • ¼ cup Paleo Mayonnaise (see recipe) or store-bought mayo (just check your labels!)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp finely minced green onion (white and green parts)
  • 2 tsp sriracha (or more if you like yours extra spicy!)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp oil or cooking fat of choice

Method
 

  1. Combine all the ingredients except for the 1 tablespoon oil or cooking fat in a medium bowl.
  2. Form into fish cakes of equal size. We like ours about 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
  3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
  4. Working in batches, if need be, cook the salmon cakes for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and hot. Alternatively, you can finish these off in a 350°F oven, should you choose, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

More Paleo Recipes

How to Make Roasted Seafood with Herbs & Lemon – paleo recipe

Roasted Seafood with Herbs & Lemon

Ingredients 0.25 cups (2 fluid ounces / 60g) extra virgin olive oil 8 whole scallops on the half shell (approx. 8 ounces / 225g) 8 large green prawns (approx. 8 ounces / 225g) 8 whole scampi, halved and cleaned (approx. 10 ounces / 285g) 2 garlic cloves (approx. 0.2...

Fish with Herb sauce – paleo recipe

Fish with Herb sauce

Ingredients White Fish Fillets: 4 fillets (snapper or blue-eye), skin on, weighing 6.3 oz (180g) each Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 0.33 cup (2.5 oz / 75g), divided use Flat-Leaf Parsley: 1 cup (2.1 oz / 60g) roughly torn leaves Garlic: 3 cloves (0.5 oz / 15g), sliced Fresh...

Barbecued salmon with lemon and herbs – paleo recipe

Barbecued salmon with lemon and herbs

Yields: 12 Servings Total Time: 4 Hours 27 Minutes Prep Time: 4 Hours 15 Minutes Cook Time: 12 Minutes Ingredients 12 Atlantic salmon fillets, with skin on (6.3 oz / 180g each) 0.5 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil (4.0 fl oz / 108g) 1 bunch lemon thyme, roughly...

How to Make Roasted Seafood with Herbs & Lemon – paleo recipe

Roasted Seafood with Herbs & Lemon

Ingredients 0.25 cups (2 fluid ounces / 60g) extra virgin olive oil 8 whole scallops on the half shell (approx. 8 ounces / 225g) 8 large green prawns (approx. 8 ounces / 225g) 8 whole scampi, halved and cleaned (approx. 10 ounces / 285g) 2 garlic cloves (approx. 0.2...

Fish with Herb sauce – paleo recipe

Fish with Herb sauce

Ingredients White Fish Fillets: 4 fillets (snapper or blue-eye), skin on, weighing 6.3 oz (180g) each Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 0.33 cup (2.5 oz / 75g), divided use Flat-Leaf Parsley: 1 cup (2.1 oz / 60g) roughly torn leaves Garlic: 3 cloves (0.5 oz / 15g), sliced Fresh...

Barbecued salmon with lemon and herbs – paleo recipe

Barbecued salmon with lemon and herbs

Yields: 12 Servings Total Time: 4 Hours 27 Minutes Prep Time: 4 Hours 15 Minutes Cook Time: 12 Minutes Ingredients 12 Atlantic salmon fillets, with skin on (6.3 oz / 180g each) 0.5 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil (4.0 fl oz / 108g) 1 bunch lemon thyme, roughly...

Why You Will Love This Grilled Lemony Chicken – paleo recipe

Grilled Lemony Chicken

Why You Will Love This Grilled Lemony Chicken This refreshing Grilled Lemony Chicken is the perfect balance of bright citrus flavors and earthy herbs. Whether you are meal-prepping for the week or hosting a light summer dinner, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with...