Salmon Sliders

Seafood is one of my favorite things to eat. Fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, almost all of it is ordered in one form or another when we are on vacation or makes a fast, easy meal when I am cooking at home. Seafood pairs nicely with almost any side dish and is an excellent protein for a salad. But I have found that just having a side of fish on a plate can get boring over time, no matter how many different seasonings I use. When this happens, I turn salmon filets into a childhood favorite.

Salmon patty’s (what we call them in the south) were a staple growing up. Although not made from fresh salmon, they were still delicious, and we always ate them with a side of asparagus. These days I have taken a childhood comfort food and added some spice and flair to the dish. Fresh salmon paired with a refreshing pop of lemon, a burst of dill, and an aioli dipping sauce make these bite-size sliders a great main course.

We typically buy fish from Safe Harbor Seafood Market while vacationing in Jacksonville Beach. It is a whole food seafood market, so the prices are very responsible. If I don’t have any filets left, I will buy some salmon from our local grocery store, which delivers fresh fish daily.

When buying salmon filets, I always purchase the ones without skin, not previously frozen, and have a good pink color. However, if you are landlocked, I recommend buying frozen salmon for safety since you can’t be sure how the fish was packed and if it was kept at proper temperatures.

Once home, I start working on making the salmon pattys by chopping the salmon into small pieces and place them in a medium size mixing bowl. Next, I add the fresh dill, lemon juice, some lemon zest, and bread crumbs to help hold the salmon together, and I add salt and pepper for taste.

Finally, I mix all these ingredients by hand and form the patty’s. I cook them in a pan until each side is golden brown, place them on a plate, or serving tray, with a side of roasted asparagus and cooked rice for a fantastic dinner. Top the salmon with the aioli sauce or put it on the side.

These are also great to turn into a mini slider with a slice of tomato, some lettuce, red onion, and use the aioli sauce a spread on a toasted bun. I would serve it with a side salad, pasta, or fresh fruit for a wonderful light lunch. The possibilities are endless for a great meal or two!

---

Recipe

Salmon Patty’s (sliders)

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs. salmon chopped
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 2 TBSP dill
• 1/2 cup GF bread crumbs
• 1-2 shallots minced
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

• Mix everything together in a bowl. Form the size of patties to your liking.
• Heat pan with high cooking oil or butter.
• Place patties in pan and cook 4 minutes or until the sides of the patty start to turn a light pink and bottom is a golden brown. Flip patty and cook 4-5 minutes on the other side.
• Place on a plate with a paper towel. Continue cooking patty’s until all are finished
• Plate with the aioli sauce or place on a bun with toppings.

Aioli

Ingredients

• 2 TBPS lemon juice
• 1 1/3 cup mayo
• 3 TBSP garlic (minced)
• salt and pepper for taste

Directions

• Mix everything together in a bowl.
• Adjust ingredients for flavor if needed.