Salmon loaf is a budget-friendly dinner that is also a family favorite!
Canned salmon is inexpensive and healthy. It’s mixed with parmesan cheese, panko crumbs and spices to create an easy and flavorful salmon loaf.
The Easiest Salmon Loaf
Budget-friendly dinner recipes that are also easy are my favorite! 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.
Here’s what I love about this recipe:
- It’s My Husband’s Favorite – My husband is in LOVE with this recipe. It’s one of his favorites and he keeps asking me to make it again.
- It’s Budget-Friendly – Canned salmon is relatively inexpensive compared to many other options. This is why I love this recipe so much – It helps to save on the grocery bill! These days as grocery prices increase, it’s important to have these budget-friendly recipes in your back pocket. (You only need 2 cans of salmon for this recipe).
- There’s Lots Of Flavor – There’s lots of delicious ingredients that create a really yummy dinner. I recommend using freshly grated parmesan if you can (that’s what I used). But, the jarred grated parmesan cheese is more budget-friendly and will also work.
- Simple Recipe Tweaks – My husband likes to fry the leftovers the next day in a bit of cooking oil for crispier outsides.
Salmon Loaf Ingredients
This salmon loaf combines canned salmon with a few ingredients including parmesan, panko crumbs, onion, and spices. The milk, egg and panko crumbs will hold the loaf together and create moisture avoiding a dried-out salmon loaf.
Here are the key ingredients:
- Canned Salmon – You’ll need 2 cans of salmon (6 oz each). Any kind of canned salmon will work for this recipe.
- Parmesan Cheese – I prefer to use freshly grated parmesan because of the flavor. But you can also use the shaker version. If you want this recipe to be dairy-free, use a vegan parmesan cheese.
- Panko Crumbs – You can use regular panko crumbs, bread crumbs or gluten-free panko crumbs.
I like to cook my dinners with gluten-free ingredients. If you’re like me, then you might also like my gluten-free meatloaf made without breadcrumbs. It’s loaded with veggies including carrots, celery and parmesan cheese.
Can I Use Fresh Salmon Instead Of Canned?
Yes, you can. You will need to bake the salmon first, then flake it with a fork. You will need about 1 ½ cups of flaked cooked salmon for this loaf recipe.
How To Make This Easy (and Cheap) Salmon Loaf
This salmon loaf is so simple to make. It can be prepped in less than 10 minutes!
- Flake The Salmon: This is an important step. Salmon should be flakey and crumbled small. You can do this with a fork. This will make the loaf stick together once cooked.
- Mix the flaked salmon, panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, green onion and yellow onion into a bowl.
- Small Bowl: Add milk, dried dill, dried parsley, salt and pepper to a bowl and mix. Pour overtop of the salmon.
- Whisk two eggs in a small bowl with a fork. Pour overtop of the salmon mixture.
- Now mix everything together. Mix thoroughly to ensure a moist salmon loaf.
- Pour the salmon into a greased loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out and pack it down tightly. Place in oven to bake at 350 for 40 minutes. The salmon loaf is done when the edges are golden and begin to slightly crisp.
Can Salmon Loaf Be Frozen?
Yes. Wrap the whole salmon loaf or slices individually with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Then place in a large freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. Label the front of the bag with the name and date.
This salmon loaf will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Salmon Loaf Tips
- Flake Salmon Really Well – Use a fork and flake the salmon until it’s small and crumbly. This will give you the best loaf texture after it’s baked.
- Use Fresh Grated Parmesan – It adds a beautiful subtle flavor and helps to make the loaf stick together. If you’re on a tight budget, you can use the shaker parmesan (jar version).
- Serve With Tartar Sauce – This salmon loaf tastes best topped with a sauce. You can use tartar sauce, plain greek yogurt, mayonnaise, ketchup, barbecue sauce, or salsa. Whatever your favorite sauce is, it will probably taste great with!
More Easy Budget-Friendly Dinners
- Tortilla Chip Chicken Tenders – Really yummy. Another family favorite over here.
- Oven Baked Chicken Legs – Easy and crispy.
- Chickpea Zucchini Stir Fry Wraps – A healthy meatless dinner in under 30 minutes.
- Pizza Pasta Bake – Cheesy, ooey gooey and delicious.
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet – It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights.
Did you love this salmon loaf? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Salmon Loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cans of salmon - approximately 6 oz each
- 1 cup panko crumbs - or breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan - freshly grated or the jar version will work
- 2 green onions - chopped
- ½ cup diced yellow onion - (about ½ of small onion)
- ½ cup milk - dairy or non-dairy
- 1 tsp dried dill weed
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp salt and pepper - (¼ tsp for each)
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a loaf pan (I like to use avocado oil spray). Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, add the 2 cans of salmon, panko crumbs, parmesan cheese, green onion and yellow onion. (You can keep the salmon bones and skin if you like them or take them out before adding)
- Use a fork to flake the salmon into small crumbles. This part is key! You want the salmon to be flaked small to ensure a moist salmon loaf overall.
- Once salmon is fully flaked, mix the ingredients together.
- In a separate small bowl mix the milk, dill, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour over the salmon mixture bowl.
- Beat the two eggs with a fork. Pour over the salmon.
- Mix all ingredients together throrougly.
- The salmon should be evenly coated with egg and milk to ensure the loaf is moist and sticks together.
- Add the salmon loaf to the pan and pack it down with a spatula.
- Place in oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes.
- Carefully flip over on to a plate and slice into serving portions. You can squeeze fresh lemon overtop (this is optional). Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Sauce: The salmon loaf can be served with tartar sauce, plain greek yogurt, mayonnaise, or homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.
- Gluten-Free: The loaf can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free panko crumbs or by replacing crumbs with 3 Tbsp of tapioca starch.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free milk (almond, oat milk, coconut, etc) and vegan parmesan cheese.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or pan-fried in a skillet with a bit of oil.
- Replacing With Fresh Salmon: You will need to bake the salmon first, then flake it with a fork. You will need about 1 ½ cups of flaked cooked salmon for this loaf recipe.
Nutrition
Please note these nutritional values provided above are just an estimate. Actual numbers will vary based on brands and ingredients you choose, and your preferred portion sizes.