These Salmon Cakes from Fraîche Table combine zesty flavours like dill and lemon with the perfect crunch of a panko crust and the delicate texture of salmon for an easy, quick and sure-to-please dinner.

One of the biggest challenges of getting dinner on the table each night is time- it feels like there’s never enough of it! Have you ever asked yourself what your time is worth? The good news is that there are a few solid ways to take the stress out of mealtimes.

Taking the time before the chaos of the week hits to prep meals, or parts of meals, helps take the stress out of cooking each night. Create a game plan for the week so that you only need ONE trip to the grocery store, and get the family involved in curating the menu to make it fun. Stock up the freezer for nights when you’re really tight on time, and make things like dressings and sauces ahead of time.

Need help? Menu plans on Fraîche Table include a Sunday prep list, done-for-you balanced meal plans and grocery lists, and time-saving tips each week. The ingredients are easy to find in a typical grocery store and the hundreds of delicious recipes mean that there’s always something the crew will love.

These Salmon Cakes are a perfect example: the cakes can be made in advance and frozen, then popped in the oven for minimal effort at the end of a busy day. Having the tartar sauce ready in the fridge saves even more time.

We know that fish can be tricky to cook perfectly, or maybe you have kids who are resistant to try it. That’s why we created these delicious Salmon Cakes; they’re packed with flavour and are foolproof to prepare. And the tartar sauce? *Chef’s kiss*

If you’re looking for more inspiration, Fraîche Table has hundreds of simple yet interesting dinner recipes. With vegetarian and vegan options, make-ahead and freezer-friendly choices, and even gluten-free and nut-free alternatives for nearly every recipe, there is truly something for everyone.

We’ve included the recipe for our ever-popular classic Salmon Cakes below, but for a new twist, you could try these Sushi Salmon Cakes, or these Crispy Potato Fish Cakes.

Salmon Cakes

Makes 4 servings

Total time: 30 minutes

We recommend mixing together the salmon cake mixture in advance, refrigerating, and then forming and cooking them when it’s time for dinner. Feel free to prep your tartar sauce ahead of time if desired.

Plant-based option: Substitute chopped jackfruit for the salmon, use a vegan mayonnaise, and an egg replacer for the egg (we used the Bob’s Red Mill one).

Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free panko.

For the Salmon Cakes:

4 salmon fillets, skin removed (approx. 170 g each), diced

2 green onions, finely sliced

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ red onion, finely diced

½ cup fresh dill, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish

2 cups panko, divided

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 teaspoon pepper, divided

2 eggs, beaten

¼ cup olive oil

For the Tartar Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise

2 dill pickles, finely diced

¼ red onion, finely diced

1 lemon, juiced

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the salmon, green onions, mayonnaise, mustard, red onion, dill, ½ teaspoon of the salt, 1 cup of the panko ½ teaspoon of the pepper, and the eggs and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for around 30 minutes or overnight.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the tartar sauce ingredients and place in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Place the remaining panko in a large shallow dish and mix with the olive oil and remaining salt and pepper. Using a large (size 8) ice cream scoop or measuring cup, measure out approximately ½ cup of the mixture and using your hands, form each salmon cake. Place each salmon cake onto the plate of panko, gently pressing some panko on both sides. Using a spatula, lift the salmon cake onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all of the salmon mixture is used up.

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden. Serve immediately with the tartar sauce and fresh dill as a garnish.