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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Oct 23, 2021 |

    Easy Poached Salmon Quinoa Cakes

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    Simple and delicious salmon quinoa cakes make the perfect weekday dinner that's that little bit special. Enjoy as an easy salmon pattie as is, make a salmon quinoa salad, or stuff the little patties into a burger bun and enjoy with all the fixings. Perfect for meal prepping as they can be made ahead of time and simply reheated in the microwave or air fryer when needed.

    Quinoa and salmon burger in a burger bun being held

    Similar to fish cakes, but a little bit fancy, try this crab cakes recipe next

    Poached Salmon Quinoa Cakes

    Would you believe that a regular ol' salmon burger is one of the first dishes I made from the first cookbook I ever bought?

    It was the first meal I ever tried out that made me think 'oh wow, I can totally do this cooking thing!'

    So, what is so special about these little burgers?

    Well, we have gotten rid of the breadcrumbs and loaded them up with quinoa instead, which is just perfect as it bulks them up enough to make them super filling, but still packs a nutritional punch.

    The salmon is poached in milk which makes them retain a bucket-load of moisture and gets rid of that overly fishy smell salmon can have.

    Plus they can be done and on your dinner table in twenty minutes from start to finish.

    You are going to need:

    • Salmon fillets: look for skin-off wild salmon fillets as this makes for easier prep;
    • Milk: using milk to poach the salmon cooks it really gently and removes any overly fishy smell. It also makes the salmon so perfectly cooked it will flake apart with a fork after poaching;
    • Quinoa: you can use regular or tri-color quinoa. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the quinoa before cooking, or it can have a bitter taste;
    • Spring Onions;
    • Parsley;
    • Mayonnaise: you can use whatever store-bought mayo you prefer or make your own using a recipe like this one.
    • Dijon mustard;
    • Lemon zest and juice;
    • Paprika;
    • Plain flour: this is used to bind the salmon burgers together, feel free to sub in almond flour to reduce carbs or make the salmon patties gluten-free;
    • Salt and black pepper of course.

    Depending on how you want to serve the quinoa salmon burgers, you may need some burger buns, lettuce leaves, tomato slices, onion slices, and extra mayonnaise.

    Overhead labelled ingredient shot of ingredients required for quinoa salmon cakes
    Have your ingredients ready to go before you start cooking to ensure you have a seamless cooking session.

    How To Make These Healthy Salmon Patties

    Although fairly easy to make, I do have a few tips and tricks to make the best little salmon patties around.

    Poach the salmon.

    I do this in milk as I find it cooks the salmon just perfectly, and also gets rid of that super fishy taste which can be so off-putting for many people (especially kids).

    To poach we are simply going to heat the milk in a saucepan with a lid over medium heat.

    Once hot, but not boiling, add in the fresh salmon, pop on the lid and let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.

    TIP: if you have a thicker salmon fillet you are going to need to allow it to cook for longer to be cooked through.

    Once the salmon is poached, take it out of the milk and flake it into nice chunks with a fork.

    If the salmon isn't cooked enough when you remove the lid, just put the lid back on and pop the saucepan with the milk and salmon still in it onto the stove-top on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, then try again.

    Pop the flaked salmon into a large bowl with all of the other ingredients.

    Mix until everything is well combined.

    poached salmon in a saucepan of warm milk
    This is what the salmon should look like once you have poached it in the hot milk. It should be pretty much cooked the whole way through and should flake easily. You want to leave some nice big chunks so the burgers have a great texture and consistency.

    Form Into Salmon Patties

    Next we are going to form the quinoa salmon mix into evenly sized patties.

    There are two little 'cheats' here I was to share with you:

    • Use a mini pie-maker to get all of the patties the same shape and size. This works perfectly, however as you can only cook 4 patties at a time, it can be a little time consuming;
    • Use a ¼ cup measuring cup lined with plastic wrap, fill with the quinoa and salmon mixture, add to the hot pan and gently flatten with a spatula or fish slice.

    Of course, if you don't care about perfectly sized burgers then you can just skip this step and form by hand.

    Once you have your patties ready we are going to fry in some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown.

    Quinoa and salmon burgers laid out on a white platter with a sprinkling of fresh parsley
    This is what the patties should look like. I use about ¼ cup of the mixture and end up with 12 burger patties. They are delicious served as is with a squeeze of lemon and some mayo.

    Tips Tricks and Substitutions

    If you are following a gluten-free diet: sub in some gluten-free flour or almond flour in place of the plain flour used.

    If you prefer to keep your meals lower in carbs: sub in some almond flour for the plain flour used.

    If you want an egg-free version then simply replace the egg with a chia egg by mixing 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoon of water, letting sit for 5 minutes, and then using as the egg is used in the recipe.

    Now for the substitutions.

    The good news is, these little salmon quinoa cakes are super versatile, so feel free to change things up.

    Why not try:

    • a sprinkling of green onions;
    • some really finely chopped bell pepper;
    • fresh dill, corriander/cilantro, or whatever other fresh herbs you have;
    • use leftover salmon from the night before instead of fresh salmon;
    • use leftover cooked quinoa from the night before;
    • use canned red salmon instead of fresh if that's what you have;
    • add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes or chopped fresh chillis if you like your salmon cakes with a bit of kick.
    salmon quinoa burgers

    Can These Be Meal Prepped?

    If you would like to make these ahead of time at the beginning of the week for quick and easy lunches and dinners I have got you.

    Simply make them up according to the instructions and store them in the fridge.

    To reheat simply pop them in the air fryer for about 8 minutes or on a rack in the middle of the oven for about 10 minutes.

    You can also reheat in the microwave if you are desperate, but they may become a bit soggy rather than crispy.

    salmon quinoa burgers

    How To Serve Up Salmon Quinoa Cakes

    The great thing about these easy salmon cakes is that they are super versatile.

    There are so many ways to enjoy them:

    • Eat as is, straight from the pan, with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some mayo;
    • Eat as a salmon burger - loaded into a burger bun with some red onion, tomato, , lettuce and some extra mayo;
    • As a salmon quinoa salad - just pop the salmon burgers on top of some salad greens, add some creamy dressing, and you are good to go;
    • Serve with a dollop of sour cream in a pita pocket for an easy lunch;
    • As a wrap with whatever veggies you enjoy.
    easy teriyaki salmon on a white plate with slaw
    Why not enjoy this teriyaki salmon next?

    Need More Salmon Recipes?

    Need some more salmon-based recipes in your life? Try these out:

    • 4 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon
    • Sundried Tomato and Salmon Alfredo Pasta Bake
    • 6 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl
    • Salsa Verde Baked Salmon
    • Creamy Barley and Smoked Salmon Brunch Bowl

    Happy Eating.

    xx

    Recipe

    salmon quinoa burgers

    Quinoa and Milk Poached Salmon Cakes

    Whole Food Bellies
    Simple and delicious salmon quinoa cakes make the perfect weekday dinner that's that little bit special. Enjoy as an easy salmon pattie as is, make a salmon quinoa burger salad or stuff the little patties into a burger bun and enjoy with all the fixings.
    4.90 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipes!
    Prep Time 6 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 16 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Anytime
    Servings 12 burgers
    Calories 153 kcal

    Clicking any equipment link above will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 lb fresh salmon
    • 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa completely cooled
    • ¼ cup plain flour
    • 2 green onion white and light green part only, sliced
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
    • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 egg
    • 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • cooking oil for cooking I use avocado oil
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • lemon wedges to serve
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a small saucepan with a lid, bring the milk to a boil. Remove from the heat, pop the salmon into the milk and put the lid on. Leave for about 3-4 minutes before removing the salmon and flaking it with a fork and setting aside to cool (if you have a thicker cut, you may need to turn the filet over halfway through). Throw the milk away.
    • Once the salmon has cooled be sure to pour away any extra liquid that has gathered in the bowl as the salmon cooled.
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, plain flour, green onion, parsley, mayonnaise, mustard, egg, lemon juice, lemon zest and paprika. Stir to combine. Once cooled, add in the flaked salmon and season with salt and pepper to taste.Give it a mix until everything is combined
    • Heat a little oil in a medium sized pan. Once hot, add heaped tablespoons full of the salmon mixture to the pan and cook for about 4 minutes on each side
    • Once cooked, remove from the pan and serve with squeeze of lemon

    Notes

    Drain the salmon: Make sure you remove the moisture from the salmon or the mixture will be too wet and you may find it crumbles.
    Poaching the salmon: Once the salmon is poached, take it out of the milk and flake it into nice chunks. If the salmon isn't cooked enough when you remove the lid, just pop the lid back on and pop the saucepan with the milk and salmon still in it onto the stove-top on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, then try again.
    Reduce carbs/ make it gluten-free: To make this lower in carbs or gluten free simply replace the plain flour with almond flour.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 153kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 90mgPotassium: 264mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 236IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Don’t forget to follow Whole Food Bellies on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration! Or if Pinterest isn’t your style, bookmark this post! Let’s keep the conversation going- join my Facebook group! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sherry Ronning says

      October 26, 2021 at 5:36 am

      My husband is an avid fisherman and I have a large supply of Michigan fresh salmon. This recipe has great flavor and is I will be making it again and again!! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    2. laura says

      October 26, 2021 at 4:13 am

      These are absolutely delish!!

      Reply
    3. Mandy Applegate says

      October 25, 2021 at 7:56 pm

      These were perfect and everyone loved them!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer says

      October 25, 2021 at 1:09 am

      I love the flavor and nutrition bump of the quinoa in these!

      Reply
    5. Sachi says

      October 24, 2021 at 9:58 am

      These came out perfect!

      Reply
    6. Lynn Polito says

      October 24, 2021 at 1:04 am

      These are amazing! So full of flavor and so healthy!

      Reply
    7. Jennifer says

      February 23, 2018 at 5:44 pm

      I'mpretty sure my dog would appreciate that milk.

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        February 24, 2018 at 8:49 am

        Ha my dog LOVES it too 🙂

        Reply
    8. Morgan says

      August 29, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      I couldn't get these patties to stay together without crumbling apart? I hope I didn't miss something but I don't think the egg was enough to bind all these ingredients?

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        September 01, 2017 at 11:34 am

        Oh no, I am so sorry they didn't work out for you Morgan, I have made these so many times and never had that problem. You didn't by any chance add the milk that the salmon was cooked in did you? I just realized I may not have made it clear enough that the milk should be thrown away afterwards. You can always try popping the mixture into the fridge for about 20 minutes which will help them bind together more.

        Reply
    9. swayam says

      May 06, 2016 at 4:38 am

      Wow Donna! This sounds and looks perfect. I have seen so many quinoa recipes but this is something else!! Brilliant!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 06, 2016 at 2:03 pm

        Oh thank you so much Swayam 🙂 We are big fans around here!

        Reply
    10. Kate @ Veggie Desserts says

      May 06, 2016 at 4:09 am

      These burgers look great - especially with the quinoa. I'm glad you weathered the storm!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 06, 2016 at 2:04 pm

        Yes we may be a little bit addicted to adding quinoa to everything, but it works so well in these burgers I couldn't pass it up!

        Reply
    11. Ronda Eagle says

      May 06, 2016 at 3:52 am

      I love salmon but, like Brian Jones, also have not yet tried Quinoa. These scrumptious-looking Salmon Burgers give me a good excuse to try it and maybe even sneak it in past my husband. 🙂

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 06, 2016 at 2:05 pm

        Haha I remember trying to sneak it past my husband when we first started eating it 🙂 Now he requests it instead of rice, so it worked!

        Reply
    12. Brian Jones says

      May 06, 2016 at 12:33 am

      These sound wonderful and really unusual, although I have to say I am probably one of the last food fanatics to have never tried Quinoa, it just hasn't made it's way to Rural Hungary yet 😉

      Loving the storm story, we get fabulous storms here and I race outside with my camera to capture the lightning strikes, not exactly sensible but something I love to do!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 06, 2016 at 2:08 pm

        Oh wow, I cant believe you haven't tried Quinoa yet! But I am sure you are trying lots of other delicious foods in rural Hungary 🙂 Oh I know, as soon as it started and the kids and I ran outside, and my next door neighbour immediately popped over to tell me how dangerous it was 🙂

        Reply
    13. Sarah says

      May 06, 2016 at 3:22 am

      This is a filling, satisfying, and {most importantly} absolutely delicious meal! Love the quinoa and salmon combo! Yum! Thanks so much for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 06, 2016 at 2:06 pm

        Oh thanks so much for the lovely words Sarah!

        Reply
    14. Bethany @ athletic avocado says

      May 03, 2016 at 4:30 am

      Im starting to crave salmon more and more now, due to that fact that its seafood season! I NEED these salmon burgers in my life asap!

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        May 05, 2016 at 9:57 pm

        I know right! How good is the fresh seafood around right now!!

        Reply
    4.90 from 19 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

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