Easy Canned Pink Salmon Recipes – Fast, Easy Recipes With Canned Salmon

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Canned pink salmon is a convenient and versatile food. Learn how to cook with canned pink salmon here.

What to make with canned salmon? These easy canned pink salmon recipes will quickly make their way into your regular menu planning. Quickly make into patties and fry or mix with noodles and bake, keeping a couple of cans of salmon in your pantry can make meal prep a breeze.

Many of us grew up eating salmon patties or salmon cakes and they are still a regular item on our dinner table today. Our mom made a couple of different versions of salmon patties. Sometimes she would use a filler – like crackers – to help bind the patties but often she would just use an egg as a binder…making them low carb before low carb was cool!

Canned Salmon vs Fresh Salmon

Canned salmon is a high quality protein that can easily be used in a variety of recipes. Did you know that canned salmon has the same amount of calories as fresh salmon and is also a great source of healthy Omega 3s and Vitamin D?

Check out our Amazon Store for canned salmon and more of our favorite pantry staples.

Canned Salmon Chowder is the easiest canned salmon soup recipe.  It's so simple with just canned salmon, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Grab a can of salmon at the store for this cheap dinner option.

Is canned salmon good?

Yes, it’s a great pantry staple that’s full of flavor, good for our health, and has endless possibilities. It’s flavor is that of fresh salmon too.

Do you need to debone canned salmon?

When you open a can of pink salmon, you will notice that there are usually a few bones mixed with the salmon. Softened by the canning process, these bones are edible and actually provide a good source of calcium.

Our kids sometimes complain about the bones so we do usually pick most of them out when cooking with canned salmon.

Salmon Casserole features canned salmon, macaroni, cream of celery soup and cheese.

Can you eat the spine in canned salmon?

If you’ve ever opened a can of salmon, you may have been shocked to find small bones and pieces of the spine still in the salmon.  If that doesn’t bother you, feel free to mix the bones with the salmon meat and use in your dishes. The bones are a great source of calcium and iron which our bodies need. You might just find your dinner has a little extra crunch!

How do you use canned salmon liquid?

The liquids in the bottom of the salmon can are completely edible and full of flavor. I keep the juices to add to salmon soup and for added flavor in my salmon casserole. However, if I’m making salmon patties, I’ll add just a little for flavor and drain off the rest. Instead of throwing it out, I give it to my cats for a little treat.


What to make with canned salmon?

If you are asking yourself what is the best way to eat canned salmon, we have some suggestions for you.

Salmon Patties (Classic Recipe with Breadcrumbs)

These Classic Salmon Patties are kid-approved and an easy weeknight entrée for busy families who need to get dinner on the table quickly. Mixing eggs, cracker crumbs (or panko) and milk with canned salmon before pan frying creates a delicious salmon burger.

Serve with tartar sauce or ketchup. To jazz it up, add fresh herbs such as fresh parsley or fresh dill or diced scallions for a fresh flavor.

Serve with fried potatoes for the ultimate meal.

These Classic Salmon Patties are kid-approved and an easy weeknight entrée for busy families who need to get dinner on the table quickly.

Salmon Patties (Low Carb with No Fillers)

Easy Salmon Patties have the flavor of the classic salmon patty recipe without breadcrumbs or crackers.  We eat Mom’s salmon patties without a bun but they are also great served as a sandwich.  Serve along side a side salad, or applesauce and cottage cheese.

You would never even know the difference because the texture is the same. What’s even better? This recipe only takes 6 ingredients, and that includes salt and pepper.

Easy Salmon Patties have the flavor of the classic salmon patty recipe without bread crumbs and without crackers, making them a low carb salmon patties recipe. 

Canned Salmon Pasta Recipe

Vintage Salmon Noodle Casserole

This Salmon Casserole recipe uses macaroni pasta and canned salmon and is quick and easy dish to put together for a weeknight dinner. This old-fashioned salmon macaroni casserole will remind you of one your mom or grandma put on the table back in the day. The topping uses cracker crumbs or bread crumbs and has a nice crunch to it.

Salmon Casserole features canned salmon, macaroni, cream of celery soup and cheese.

Salmon Quiche

Salmon quiche is a new version of a classic quiche using canned salmon, mozzarella cheese, eggs and heavy cream. It is fancy enough for a party but is also down to earth and quick to prepare. To fancy it up, serve topped with sliced avocados and sriracha.

Canned Salmon Chowder

Canned Salmon Chowder is the easiest canned salmon soup recipe. It’s so simple with just canned salmon, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Grab a can of salmon at the store for this cheap dinner option.  Be sure to save the salmon juices from the c an for added flavor. We eat these with a simple grilled cheese sandwich.

Canned Salmon Chowder is the easiest canned salmon soup recipe.  It's so simple with just canned salmon, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Grab a can of salmon at the store for this cheap dinner option.

Salmon Salad Recipe

Another easy dinner using pink salmon from a can is to make a simple salmon salad, similar to how you would make tuna salad.

Add deboned salmon to a bowl with your favorite cold salad ingredients such as bell peppers, celery, diced onions or red onions, lemon juice, yellow or Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip or Greek Yogurt. Mix together, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve as a salmon salad sandwich or in lettuce wraps. Or, go old school and eat with some crackers.

Or, serve the canned salmon flaked over your favorite salad such as Greek or Caesar salad.

Easy Salmon Patties have the flavor of the classic salmon patty recipe without bread crumbs and without crackers, making them a low carb salmon patties recipe. 

Can you eat canned salmon straight from the can?

Yes, pink salmon from a can is already cooked. Any canned food items have been through the canning process which “cooks” the food.

Canned salmon can be eaten straight from the can; however, be sure to remove the skin and bones first.

Add canned salmon to any salad or Caesar salad or over cooked rice or brown rice for a salmon rice bowl. Top with your favorite veggies, and you have a heart healthy meal in a short amount of time.

Canned Salmon Chowder is the easiest canned salmon soup recipe.  It's so simple with just canned salmon, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Grab a can of salmon at the store for this cheap dinner option.


Is canned fish considered processed?

Yes, any food that is found in a can – like canned pink salmon – is a processed food. This is called the canning process. The foods are placed in the can and then processed at high heat to kill microorganisms which keeps the food safe, and deactivate enzymes which keeps the foods at a high quality.

What recipes do you like that call for canned salmon besides salmon patties?

  • Salmon Chowder
  • Old Fashioned Salmon Casserole
  • Salmon Salad
  • Quiche
  • Salmon Lettuce Wraps
  • Caesar Salad with Flaked Salmon
These Classic Salmon Patties are kid-approved and an easy weeknight entrée for busy families who need to get dinner on the table quickly.

How long to keep canned salmon after opening?

Once you’ve opened a can of salmon, store it in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. If you store it in a plastic container, it will absorb the fishy odors and forever smell like salmon. Be sure to use the stored salmon within 1 to 2 days.

Is canned salmon the same as canned tuna?

No, salmon and tuna are two different species of fish. Canned tuna is typically white in color and comes in small cans, while salmon is typically pink in color and comes in larger, standard sized cans.

Salmon Casserole features canned salmon, macaroni, cream of celery soup and cheese.

Canned Tuna Recipes

If you are more of a canned tuna fan, we have you covered too. Canned tuna is a vintage ingredient that we love to use for easy weeknight meals. Here are some of our favorites:

Pin this post for Easy Canned Pink Salmon Recipes for later

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *