Harissa Sesame Salmon Patties (Printable)

Spicy, aromatic salmon patties with North African harissa and toasted sesame for a quick, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Protein

01 - 1 lb fresh salmon fillet, skinless and boneless
02 - 1 large egg

→ Aromatics & Flavor

03 - 2 tbsp harissa paste
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 scallions, finely sliced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin

→ Binding & Crunch

08 - 4 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
09 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish

→ Seasoning

10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper

→ For Frying

12 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# How To Make It:

01 - Cut the salmon into chunks and pulse in a food processor until a coarse mixture forms, being careful not to overprocess into a paste.
02 - Transfer the salmon to a bowl. Add harissa paste, minced garlic, scallions, cilantro, cumin, panko breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, and the egg. Mix until just combined.
03 - With damp hands, shape the mixture into 8 small patties. Sprinkle extra sesame seeds on top for garnish, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
05 - Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro or lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The harissa brings this incredible warmth that builds slowly, not just heat for heats sake
  • Fresh salmon stays tender and juicy while the outside gets perfectly crisp
  • These patties come together in under 30 minutes but taste like something from a restaurant
02 -
  • Overpulsing the salmon turns it into a paste that wont have that satisfying chunky texture
  • Letting the mixture rest for 15 minutes in the fridge makes shaping infinitely easier
  • These patties freeze beautifully before cookingperfect for meal prep
03 -
  • Let your patties rest on a wire rack after frying so they stay crispy on all sides
  • Use a fish spatula to flipthese patties are delicate and the right tool prevents breakage