Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise
Updated Apr 19, 2021, Published Apr 03, 2016
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Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise combine two of summer’s best—healthful salmon and fresh basil! They’re easy to make, freeze great, and provide a vibrant, zesty flavor that elevates any meal. Perfect for a quick dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these cakes are as versatile as they are delicious. Perfect with my Thai Green Beans on the side!
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
If you are apprehensive about preparing wild salmon correctly, you can’t go wrong with these crispy Thai salmon cakes. The assertive flavors in Thai cuisine pair well with the richness of salmon to create this lovely dish that doubles as an entrée or appetizer.
These Thai salmon cakes pair beautifully with the basil and fresh lime-infused aioli. Use Thai basil if you can find it. If not, any fresh basil will do.
Tips for making Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise:
- Fourteen ounces of fresh salmon (or two 7-ounce portions) is the perfect amount for two people. However, because salmon is combined with other ingredients when making cakes or patties such as these, you get a little more bang for your buck as this recipe makes eight cakes.
- Any leftover salmon cakes will reheat beautifully in the oven.
- These Thai Salmon Cakes also freeze well and don’t need to be thawed before being placed in the oven to reheat which is ideal when you need a quick meal.
- To cook salmon prior to forming into patties, simply bake to a point where it can be flaked. Don’t be concerned if it’s still a bit raw, it will finish cooking when browned.
- I like to use a 1/3-cup measuring cup to create uniform-sized cakes. Fill it to just below the rim, then invert onto a baking sheet.
- It’s important for the cakes to “set up” before browning so they don’t fall apart. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about an hour or in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Serve with:
- Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Thai Sweet Chili – Orange Glaze
- Cold Thai Cucumber Avocado Soup with Cucumber Relish
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Thai Green Curry Butter
More great fish cake recipes:
- Shrimp Cakes with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Mayonnaise
- Tuna Kimchi Cakes with Soy – Ginger Dipping Sauce
- Maryland-Style Crab Cakes
Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise
Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise combine two of summer's best—healthful salmon and fresh basil! They're easy to make, freeze great, and provide a vibrant, zesty flavor that elevates any meal. Perfect for a quick dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these cakes are as versatile as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 14 ounces wild salmon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 scallions, white and light green part only, finely chopped
- ¼ small red bell pepper, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, about 1 large lime
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon red curry paste, or to taste (taste before adding egg!)
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- ½ cup panko, plus more for coating cakes
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup canola oil, or vegetable oil for frying
Basil Lime Mayonnaise
- 1 cup mayonnaise, regular or reduced-fat
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, about 1 large lime
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded if desired, chopped
- 8-10 large leaves fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
Instructions
Salmon Cakes
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season salmon with salt and black pepper. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until salmon is almost cooked through and can be flaked. Cool 15 minutes.
- Combine scallions, red bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, ginger, fish sauce, red curry paste, chili garlic sauce and panko in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, adjusting any other seasoning as desired.
- Flake salmon into the bowl, add the egg and gently stir to combine. Form into 8 uniform cakes. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Coat salmon cakes with panko.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet or sauté pan.
- Place salmon cakes in hot oil, working in batches if necessary. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 2-3 minutes per side or until nicely browned.
- Place on a cooling rack to drain set on a baking sheet or on aluminum foil.
Basil Lime Mayonnaise
- Combine aioli ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Serve with salmon cakes.
Notes
Prep time includes the time for them to set up in the refrigerator.
MAKE-AHEAD:
- Form into cakes and refrigerate covered for up to 8 hours. Cook per directions.
- Can also be cooked, cooled, and reheated in the oven or toaster oven.
- Cook as directed, cool, then freeze.
- Reheat in the oven or toaster oven for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 4Calories: 1160kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 45gFat: 94gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 76gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 1019mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Fabulous! I love salmon cakes. I live inland, so I order salmon from Sitka Seafood. They have ground salmon, and I love to make cakes and burgers with it. I know that flaked fresh salmon has a purpose as well, and a different texture, but it’s just so convenient! Love the mayo.
Thanks, Mimi! Happy you enjoyed! I’ll have to look them up.
My partner doesn’t like cilantro. What would you suggest as a substitute? Thanks!
Hi, Cyndy, Thanks so much for your question. You could leave it out and bump up a few of the other ingredients for added flavor like the lime juice since cilantro has a citrusy flavor, some more red curry paste and a little extra ginger. Thanks again and hope you both enjoy!
First time ever commenting! These are so delicious. I live in Alaska and don’t love salmon but have lots of fishermen in my house. I’ve made them several times for different friends and they are always raves about. I had to use red onion instead of scallions once and preferred it. Definitely try these!
Hi, KP, Thanks so very much and so happy everyone enjoys! You could also use regular yellow onion, too if that’s what you can find but cook it a bit first. Thanks again!
These were amazing! I didn’t have fresh salmon so used canned, and they were still so good. My husband, who normally is lukewarm about salmon cakes, can’t stop raving about them.
This recipe is definitely a keeper.
Hi, Maggie, Thanks so very much and glad you both enjoyed!! Yes, canned salmon should be fine. Thanks again!!
We love sesame oil. Is there a place to incorporate it into the salmon cakes somewhere?
Hi, Patty, Thanks so much for your question. I’m not so sure about sesame oil as I think it may compete with the other Thai flavors. If you end up trying it, let me know how it worked. Thanks again!
These were fantastic! I’ve been making the same “classic salmon cake” with Old Bay forever. These flavors were so great and different. I always make my salmon cakes with canned salmon; saves time and money!
Hi, Kristen, Thanks so very much and so glad you enjoyed! Canned salmon is definitely an option. I’ve made these three months in a row for a personal chef client; they can’t get enough! Thanks again!
I don’t understand the reason for pre cooking the salmon. Chop up fresh raw salmon and mix with other ingredients Cooks just fine. I would appreciate a response if there is something I am missing
Hi, Bob, Thanks so much for your input! If that method works well for you then that’s great. I’m not a big fan of mincing and chopping raw proteins and the clean-up that goes along with it. Thanks again!
These were wonderful. We all loved them. Thanks!
Hi, Linda, Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed!
These are DELICIOUS. I’ve made them twice now, exactly as directed.
Thanks, Amy! So glad you enjoyed!
I was busy pinning away on the thread when I came on this recipe — WOW! I love the sound of the flavors. I just posted about wild salmon — can’t beat the taste. I am definitely making these cakes ASAP. Thank you, Carol. Hope your house is back to normal soon. 🙂
Thanks, Marisa! It’s going to take some time, but we’ll get there. Hope you enjoy the salmon cakes!