I made this perfect salmon loaf with a can of Chicken of the Sea Pink Salmon. It turned out lovely and tasted great. A real family pleaser and an easy recipe to make even on busy weeknights.
MaryJo has made an old fashioned salmon loaf recipe for us in the past, but not for a long time.
She always made it like her mom used to make and I took the basics of that recipe and added a few of my own touches.
Ingredients You Will Need
First, you will need a can of salmon. You will usually find it in 14.5 ounce size. Open the canned salmon and save the salmon liquid in a small bowl.
Try to get the salmon to slide out of the can in one piece if you can.
Place it on a large plate. The salmon will have a fairly distinct center and this is where you will find the backbone.
Remove all of those little hourglass-shaped pieces and any larger bones.
And the salmon will have some dark skin that should be removed as best you can. Then put the salmon into a large mixing bowl.
I have also used fresh salmon to make a delicious salmon loaf. Measure out 1 pound of salmon on a kitchen scale.
If the salmon is skin-on, remove the skin using a sharp filet knife. Here is a video showing you how to do this.
Then, feel along the middle of the salmon to see if there are any pin bones. These can be pulled out with tweezers or needle-nose pliers. Here is a video showing you how to do this.
Cut the salmon into 3 or 4 pieces and fry the salmon in a skillet with a little olive oil on medium heat.
Cook the salmon for around 2 minutes then turn and cook the second side for 2 minutes. The salmon should be rare and red in the middle. If you have thinner filets, cook them for less time.
Place the cooked salmon on a plate and allow it to cool slightly. Then use a fork to break it up into small pieces. Proceed to use the salmon just as the recipe states.
The remaining ingredients are an onion, celery rib, butter, saltine crackers, half and half, large eggs, lemon juice, dried dill weed, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha sauce, anchovy paste, salt, black pepper, and Crisco or cooking spray.
The anchovy paste is optional, but it creates a lot of savory umami.
Making A Perfect Salmon Loaf
When I first started making salmon loaves they tasted great but would fall apart when I cut into them. I knew I had to improve on this.
First, I figured that the vegetables were chopped too coarsely. To fix that is easy…just chop them up smaller.
Then, I read that having a little more oil in the mixture helps to hold the meat together. I used 2 tablespoons of butter to sauté and soften the vegetables.
The softened vegetables ensured that they would mix in well with the salmon and subsequently, cut easily.
Secondly, soak the cracker crumbs before they are mixed in. It makes sense that dry crumbs could leave dry spots that wouldn’t hold together well once baked.
Soak the crumbs in the liquid from the salmon can for extra salmon flavor along with the half and half. (You may substitute whole milk for half and half).
To crumble the crackers, you can place them into a gallon-sized zip-lock bag and use a pastry roller to crush them. Otherwise, a small food processor can be used, or just crumble them as fine as you can with your hands.
Thirdly, break up the salmon well so it mixes with the other ingredients.
To combine salmon, I used a pastry cutter. A fork would work too, just take the time to get the salmon separated into small pieces.
The photo below shows the mixed ingredients and the salmon is like a thick batter.
Preparing The Loaf Pan
Finally, I used Crisco to grease the 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pan rather than cooking spray.
It made the salmon loaf fall right out onto the platter. The first time, I used cooking spray and had some of the crust stuck to the pan.
I wouldn’t recommend using butter since it may burn.
Also, to ensure that the loaf cuts well and holds together, press the salmon mixture into the prepared pan so there are no air pockets.
Baking The Salmon Loaf
For this simple recipe, all the ingredients get mixed in a large bowl. Then place the salmon mixture into a greased loaf pan and press it into the corners well.
Put the loaf pan into a preheated 350° F oven for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.
Take the pan out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then turn the finished loaf onto a serving platter.
Baking Results Of The Salmon Loaf
I find this the perfect recipe for a savory salmon loaf. The exterior had a really nicely browned crust.
Best of all, the loaf held together beautifully when cut. Serve the salmon loaf with creamed peas or white sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
Steamed broccoli would be the perfect veggie to go with the salmon.
Leftover salmon loaf makes a great sandwich.
White Dill Cream Sauce
If you’d like to make a dill sauce, make a roux with 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour.
Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of milk and simmer for 3 or 4 minutes, add a pinch of salt and black pepper, and around 2 teaspoons of dried dill or a tablespoon of chopped fresh dill.
If you like salmon and need some other ways to fix it, try one of these recipes: Salmon Patty Sandwiches, Foil Wrapped Baked Salmon, Slow Baked Dill and Citrus Salmon.
This is a dish that the whole family will enjoy and it’s packed with protein, healthy fatty acids, and vitamins D and B12.
A can of Chicken of the Sea salmon cost me $4.50. This is a bargain for such a great-tasting meal. Give it a try.
The printable recipe card is below.
Perfect Salmon Loaf
Ingredients
- 1 14.5 oz . can salmon, *see notes Or fresh salmon...see blog post instructions
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 1 large celery rib , finely chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 25 saltine crackers , (1 cup crumbs)
- 1/4 cup half and half Substitute whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp dried dill weed
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp sriracha sauce
- 2 tsp anchovy paste , optional but it adds a lot of umami to enhance the flavor
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Crisco or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Open the salmon can, pour the liquid into a small bowl and place the salmon onto a large plate. Separate the salmon to locate the larger backbone pieces and larger bones. Remove them along with the dark colored skin on the salmon.
- Place the salmon into a large mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter or fork to break up the salmon into very small pieces.
- Crumble the saltine crackers by hand or in a food processor or in a gallon ziplock bag using a rolling pin and place in the small bowl with the juice from the canned salmon and add the half and half to fully soak the crumbs.
- Saute the onion and celery in a skillet with the butter until slightly softened 3 minutes and add to the salmon.
- Add the soaked cracker crumbs to the salmon and toss with a spoon or spatula until combined well.
- Crack the eggs into the small bowl you used for the crumbs and beat together with a fork and add to the salmon mixture.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Grease a 4" by 8" loaf pan with Crisco, (recommended), or spray well with cooking oil.
- Add1/3 of the salmon into the pan and pack it well into the corners
- Add the remaining salmon and pack it well.
- Place in the oven for 45 mins and the internal temperature is 160°F.
- Remove from the oven, rest for 5 minutes, then turn over onto a serving platter.
- Serve with dill white sauce.
Notes
- Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap then placed into a freezer bag for 3 months.
- Canned salmon is also available in 5-ounce tins much like tuna and the bones and skin have been removed. 3 of these cans would also work.
Nutrition
This recipe post was updated on August 26, 2023.
I just took it from the oven and have scalloped potatoes in now to serve with it.
We’re not real salmon fans, but try to eat more and this was a total winner. Husband even said it was great. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Joyce. Glad you liked it! Joe
Made this today, substituting Red Salmon for Pink so that I could assess it fairly compared to the recipe from my childhood.
Wow! This recipe elevates Salmon Loaf to a whole new level! Happy tummies all around. 🙂
Hi Valerie,
I’m really glad that you tried and enjoyed my recipe. Thank you for the nice comment.
Joe
This sounds so good! And using tinned fish is all the rage right now. Can’t wait to try it!!!
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for the comment and I hope that you like it.
Joe
Outstanding! 3asy, inexpensive way to add more fish to your diet!
Hey Anita,
Thank you for the nice comment. I need to make this soon again myself. Thank you for commenting.
Joe
I’ve made a lot of salmon loaves in my life, but, Joe, your recipe beats them all right outta the park!
It is the combination of ingredients you have in your recipe that takes salmon loaf to a higher level.
My suggestion to other readers is to make this loaf EXACTLY as Joe has written it.
Do not substitute other ingredients or change a thing, do not pass GO, do not collect the $200, do not take wooden nickels, but do follow Joe’s recipe to a T.
Thanks very much Joe, for another fantastic recipe that is tasty, economical and a real crowd pleaser.
And your Dill Sauce recipe to serve with this loaf is such a classy and delectably perfect touch!
The best salmon loaf we’ve had. Healthy, easy and delicious.
We make it often.
Glad you enjoy it Cathy…thanks for commenting.
I USED ORGANIC CA BASMATI RICE INSTEAD I DID NOT HAVE ALL THE FLAVORING INGREDIENTS SO I WILL FIND OUT IF IT IS GOOD
Interesting. I guess you are going gluten free. I hope it works for you.
Love this recipe made with pantry ingredients. Better than my Mom’s!
Excellent. This will be THE only salmon loaf recipe I will use from now on. Delicious!!!!
Thanks for the nice comment Deborah.
Can you freeze this dish?
Hi Barb, It would be fine to freeze leftovers. I’m not sure about mixing it up, then freezing before baking. That probably would not produce the best results.
Great recipe! If you want no-carbs substitute the crackers with deep fried pork rinds, it worked great.
Wow!! What a great idea! Will try this.
Joe your salmon loaf was great. I will be making more off your recipes thanks again.
Thanks Hannah.
This is a hit…best recipe ever!!!
Thanks Vivian.
Can i use flavored bread crumbs?
Hey Marilyn…I think flavored crumbs would be just fine. The salmon itself has a lot of flavor and can handle extra flavorings.
I made this salmon loaf tonight and followed the recipe exactly. It is the best salmon loaf I’ve ever made and will keep this as my go-to recipe. It was moist and held together beautifully. The dill sauce made it complete upon serving. Thank you Joe for sharing your recipe.
Thanks for the nice comment Suzie. Glad you liked it.
Can I use panko in place of crumbs?
Hi June. I would think a cup of panko would be fine to use.
Love salmon loaf!
Thank you Joe, now we know what to do with that can of salmon that has been sitting in our pantry.
Alan, I think you will love it.
Do you think i could fully bake this, then freeze for an event a later date. And can I increase and make in a 9 X 13 pan? Thank you.
Hi Mini. I feel that would work just fine. I would triple the recipe. Click on the 4 servings in the recipe card and use the slider to calculate the ingredient amounts for 12 servings. Bake at 325° instead of 350° to avoid burning the outer edges. Let me know how this works out for you.