Categories: Recipe

Salmon Loaf

Published by
James marcus

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Salmon loaf is a delicious budget-friendly dinner to serve on any busy weeknight. It’s an old-fashioned salmon loaf recipe that’s inexpensive, healthy, and an easy family favorite!

Canned salmon is mixed with parmesan cheese, panko crumbs and spices to create an easy and flavorful meal that’s baked in the oven. This can be served with a simple side greek salad, our creamy rutabaga carrot soup, or keep it simple with homemade quinoa and a side of green beans.

We love salmon around here! From our easy affordable salmon marinades to our quick and filling salmon pasta recipe and of course this salmon loaf! This recipe can also be used with leftovers from our brown sugar soy sauce salmon recipe.

Canned Salmon Loaf Recipe

As the cost of groceries continues to rise, it’s recipes like this one that I like to keep on regular rotation in our house!

  • CHEAP – Canned salmon is inexpensive compared to many other meat options. This is why I love this meal so much: It helps save on the grocery bill! These days as grocery prices increase, it’s important to have these budget-friendly ideas in your back pocket.
  • VERSATILE – This method can also be used to make salmon cakes (or fish cakes). Form into salmon patties and add to a frying pan with melted butter to cook on the stove.
  • FLAVORFUL – There are lots of delicious ingredients that create a really yummy dinner. I recommend using freshly grated parmesan if you can. But jarred grated parmesan cheese is more budget-friendly and will also work.

We love cheap easy meal recipes, and this delicious dinner idea doesn’t disappoint! If you are looking for a quick weeknight meal with budget-friendly ingredients, this is it! Plus leftovers make the perfect lunch paired with a salad.

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe combines canned salmon with milk, egg and panko crumbs, which will hold it together and create moisture. Here’s what you’ll need (scroll down to get full ingredients in the recipe card):

CANNED SALMON – You’ll need 3 cans of salmon. Any kind of canned salmon with bones and skin will work including Atlantic and sockeye. I used canned wild sockeye salmon. Canned tuna can also be used for this recipe!

PARMESAN Use freshly grated parmesan cheese. It adds a beautiful subtle flavor and also helps to make the loaf stick together. If you’re on a tight budget, you can use the shaker parmesan (jar version). If you want this to be dairy-free, try vegan parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast may also work as a dairy-free alternative, but I haven’t tried it personally.

BREAD CRUMBS – Bread crumbs help to hold the salmon loaf together. You can use panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs, crushed-up crackers, or cornflakes.

ONION – The recipe uses green onion and diced yellow onion. Make sure to chop the onion small for best results.

MILK – You will need half a cup of milk for moisture. I used whole milk, but a dairy-free alternative should also work.

EGGS – Eggs act as a glue holding any style of meatloaf together. This recipe uses two large eggs.

SPICES – I used dried dill and dried parsley. Feel free to swap with fresh dill and fresh parsley. You’ll also need salt and pepper.

If you like easy recipes like this one, you might also like our no-breadcrumb meatloaf recipe that’s loaded with carrots, celery, and parmesan cheese.

How To Make Salmon Loaf

We just love how easy this is to make. It can be prepped in less than 10 minutes! Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  1. FLAKE SALMON – This is an important step. Salmon should be flakey and crumbled into small pieces. You can do this with a fork. This will make the loaf stick together once baked.
  2. STIR Add the flaked salmon, panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, green onion and yellow onion into a bowl.
  3. SPICES Add milk, dried dill, dried parsley, salt and black pepper to a bowl and mix. Pour over top of the other ingredients.
  4. COMBINE Whisk two eggs in a small bowl with a fork. Combine salmon with eggs. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure a moist salmon loaf.
  5. COOK – Place the salmon mixture into a greased loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out and pack it down tightly. Bake for 40 minutes. It will be done when the edges are golden and begin to slightly crispen.

Pro Tip: Be sure to flake the salmon really well. Use a fork and flake the salmon until it’s very small and crumbly with no large chunks left. This will give you the best texture.

Storing Leftovers

My husband loves to pan-fry the leftovers with a bit of cooking oil for crispier outsides. Here’s how to store this salmon loaf recipe:

  • FRIDGE – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
  • FREEZER – Wrap the whole salmon loaf or slices individually with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Then place it in a large freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. This salmon loaf will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.
  • TO REHEAT – Defrost the salmon loaf in the fridge, then reheat at 350°F until warmed through. Leftovers can also be pan-fried with a bit of butter for extra crispiness or reheated in the microwave.

Ways To Serve

We’ll often serve this on busy weeknights with a quick side salad. Here are some of the ways to enjoy it:

  • LEMON – Drizzle a bit of lemon juice on top of the freshly baked salmon loaf, or serve with lemon wedges for extra flavor. Melted butter drizzled on top would taste great too!
  • SAUCE – This salmon loaf tastes best topped with a sauce. You can use tartar sauce, plain greek yogurt, mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or salsa.
  • Add finely chopped fresh parsley or finely chopped onion. Season with more salt and pepper.
  • SALAD – Pair it with flavorful salads like our strawberry spinach salad, black-eyed pea salad, or a simple garden salad.
  • SIDE DISHES – If you want a more filling meal, try serving with a side of rice, whole grain pasta, mashed potatoes, creamed peas, or quinoa.

Frequently Asked Questions

We can’t wait for you to try this delicious baked salmon loaf using canned salmon. You’ll be surprised at how flavorful it is!

More Recipes To Try

If you love salmon as much as we do, then you’re going to love these ideas:

  • Six Easy Salmon Marinade Flavors
  • Air Fryer Salmon
  • Honey Garlic Salmon
  • Teriyaki Salmon With Roasted Vegetables
  • Brown Sugar Soy Sauce Salmon
  • Salmon Pasta Recipe

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This post was last modified on 11/10/2023 00:42

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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