We can all agree that salmon just has an unparalleled taste. No matter which way you prepare it - baked, broiled, pan-fried, or grilled - it always leads to delicious recipes! It’s so versatile it even has the same fresh flavor a couple of days after you’ve cooked it. That’s right, you can use leftover cooked salmon to prepare brand new meals!
Not only does reinventing leftover salmon make for easy salmon meals. But it’s also the most sustainable thing to do with any leftover fish! The US is currently the country that wastes the most food in the entire world, with nearly 40 million tons per year. If it sounds crazy, it’s because it is. That’s a lot of food! So we have to do what we can do to avoid throwing away food that’s both tasty and safe to eat. That’s why today’s post is dedicated to the best leftover salmon recipes. Keep reading to learn what to do with leftover salmon!
What To Do With Leftover Salmon
Salmon “Tuna” Salad:
Everyone knows tuna salad. It’s a crow pleaser and a seafood classic. But what about a salmon salad that tastes just like tuna salad? It’s delicious, promise. You can use either leftover cooked salmon or leftover smoked salmon for this recipe. It takes about 10 minutes to put together and your family will love it!
The ingredients are simple. Leftover salmon, mayonnaise, celery, green bell pepper (optional), red onion, green onions, black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley. Of course, this easy salmon recipe couldn’t get any more practical. All you need to do is chop the veggies, combine all ingredients, and enjoy!
Fried Rice With Flaked Salmon:
Fried rice is the best way to use leftover rice. But it’s also an amazing recipe for leftover salmon! Salmon fried rice will be your new weeknight staple. It only takes around 20 minutes to prepare and it's the perfect comfort meal after a long day. Remember you can totally use your favorite frozen pre-made fried rice, or you can also use freshly made rice if you want to!
You’ll need soy sauce, brown sugar, leftover salmon, rice, olive oil, red onion, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger, eggs, frozen peas, shallots, and parsley. It might have a lot of ingredients but it’s still an easy salmon recipe! First mix the brown sugar and soy sauce. Then sauté the vegetables and stir in the garlic and ginger. Let it cook for about 5 minutes. Add eggs and rice, stirring often for a couple of minutes. Now mix in the peas, leftover salmon, green onions, and soy sauce mixture. Cook for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
Creamy Greek Yogurt and Salmon Spread:
This creamy salmon spread is perfect to pair with crackers as a midday snack. It’s light, fresh, and delicious. What’s even better, it can be made in less than 5 minutes! So get ready for a leftover salmon recipe that you can eat as a snack, meal accompaniment, or with a spoon for when you’re just too busy to bother. You can also make it with raw salmon, but that’s a recipe for another post!
The ingredients are leftover salmon, greek yogurt, lemon juice, and chives. It’s simple and healthy, perfect for when you’re short on time. There are just two steps. First, mix all ingredients except for the chives in a food blender. Then mix in the chopped chives and get ready to eat!
Salmon Mac and Cheese:
If you have a leftover baked salmon fillet and love grated parmesan cheese, this recipe is perfect for you! Who said mac and cheese couldn’t be fancy? This meal is delicate enough to serve to any guests yet also simple enough for the kids to enjoy it. And it only takes 30 minutes to prepare!
You’ll need macaroni pasta, egg, heavy cream, milk, grated parmesan, grated gruyere, leftover salmon, black pepper, salt, and panko breadcrumbs. First, cook the macaroni pasta. Then whip the eggs and add the milk, cream, leftover salmon, black pepper, salt, and grated cheeses. Mix in the pasta and transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle the panko bread crumbs and extra grated parmesan on top. Bake for 20 minutes and serve!
Mini Salmon Patties:
Call them salmon cakes or salmon burgers, the truth is you won’t get enough of these miniature bites! They have panko bread instead of regular breadcrumbs, to upscale the flavors a little bit. And the salmon just takes these seafood cakes to the next level. Plus, they're ready in only 20 minutes. Grill them or oven-bake them, they’ll turn out delicious both ways!
You’ll need leftover salmon, panko breadcrumbs, fresh dill, green onions, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, one egg, black pepper, and olive oil. Start by adding the salmon, panko breadcrumbs, egg, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dill, and green onions to a bowl. Mix them until a uniform paste forms. Season with salt and pepper. Then shape into miniature-sized salmon patties. Cook in the oven for 3 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden. Finally, squeeze the lemon juice on top and serve!
Egg and Salmon Breakfast Scramble:
It’s no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What might be underrated are the benefits of adding salmon to this meal! Yes, we love salmon breakfast recipes so much that we have a whole post about them. But now we’re focusing on this delicious breakfast scramble! It’s a filling 20-minute breakfast you’ll find yourself making over and over again. Pro tip: pour a little homemade tartar sauce for an extra special brunch!
The ingredients are leftover salmon, eggs, dill, minced garlic, salt, pepper, a splash of milk, and olive oil. First whisk the eggs with milk, salt, pepper, and dill. Then sauté the garlic with a little bit of olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the egg mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Mix in the leftover salmon and scramble it all together until combined. Cook for another 3 minutes and get ready to eat breakfast!
What do you usually do with your leftover salmon?
That’s all on the best creative ways to use leftover salmon! As you can see, there’s no need for the uneaten salmon to get discarded. It’s perfectly fine to eat the next couple of days and your family will love these leftover salmon recipes. It’s all about getting creative and repurposing the leftovers! Remember to check out the rest of our Oshen Salmon blog for more delicious recipes and handling tips. And give us a follow on Instagram and Pinterest to never miss one of our posts! Good luck preparing these easy salmon meals!
