Sesame-Crusted Salmon Cakes

These sesame-crusted salmon cakes are one of those recipes that taste way more impressive than the amount of work they take to make.

They're crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, and packed with protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense ingredients. They're also naturally easy to make gluten-free, making them perfect for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner.

I originally created this recipe with women's health and fertility nutrition in mind.

Salmon, eggs, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, and scallions provide a combination of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

But you definitely don't need to be trying to conceive to enjoy them!

Why I Love These Salmon Cakes

Wild salmon is one of my favorite protein sources because it provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, along with nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin B12 and selenium.

Eggs add additional protein, fat and nutrients, while sesame seeds provide healthy fats, fiber, minerals and beneficial plant compounds.

And then there's the flavor.

Fresh ginger, garlic, scallions and sesame give these salmon cakes an Asian-inspired flavor that makes them anything but boring.

They're also ready in about 20 minutes, which is always a win in my book.

Sesame Seeds and Women's Health

If you've read my article on seed cycling, you may recognize sesame seeds as one of the seeds traditionally eaten during the luteal phase, or the second half of the menstrual cycle.

Sesame seeds contain healthy fats, fiber, minerals, antioxidants and plant compounds called lignans.

Rather than thinking of sesame seeds as a food that directly “boosts progesterone,” I like to think of them as another nutrient-dense food that can be incorporated into an overall diet that supports women's health.

And the combination of black and white sesame seeds makes the outside of these salmon cakes extra delicious.

A Chinese Medicine Perspective

From a Chinese medicine food-therapy perspective, I love that this recipe combines nourishing foods with warming, aromatic ingredients such as ginger, garlic and scallions.

Ginger and scallions are traditionally considered warming foods in Chinese dietary therapy, which makes this a nice alternative to the cold, raw meals that so many women rely on when they're trying to eat healthier.

It's warm, cooked, satisfying, and still incredibly simple.

Sesame-Crusted Salmon Cakes

Ingredients:

• 2 (5 oz.) packages wild-caught pink salmon, drained

• 2 organic eggs, beaten

• ½ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, divided

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons chopped scallions

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon minced ginger or ginger paste

• Pinch of black pepper

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

• 1 tablespoon ghee

• ½ tablespoon black sesame seeds

• ½ tablespoon white sesame seeds

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the salmon, eggs, ¼ cup of the gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, scallions, garlic, ginger, black pepper and sea salt.

2. Mix until everything is well combined.

3. Shape the mixture into 5 balls.

4. In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs with the black and white sesame seeds.

5. One at a time, roll each salmon ball in the breadcrumb and sesame mixture until coated on both sides. Gently flatten each one into a patty.

6. Heat the ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

7. Carefully add the salmon cakes and cook for approximately 3–5 minutes per side, or until they're golden brown and heated through.

8. Serve immediately.

How to Serve Your Salmon Cakes

These are delicious all by themselves, but you can easily turn them into a complete meal.

One of my favorite ways to eat them is to cut a salmon cake in half, tuck it into a corn tortilla and add avocado mayo—which was actually part of my original recipe.

You could also serve them with jasmine rice or quinoa and roasted vegetables, over a simple salad, alongside sautéed greens, or with avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime.

If you're trying to increase your protein, pair them with another protein-rich side rather than eating just one salmon cake on its own.

Can I Meal Prep These?

Absolutely.

These salmon cakes are great for meal prep because you can make a batch ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator for quick lunches or dinners.

Reheat them in a skillet or air fryer if you want to bring back some of that crispy sesame coating.

💡 Dr. Stephanie's Tip: Healthy eating doesn't have to mean eating plain chicken and vegetables every day.

One of the easiest ways to stay consistent with good nutrition is to find simple, protein-rich meals you actually look forward to eating.

Recipes like this check all of my boxes: protein, healthy fats, whole-food ingredients, plenty of flavor, and easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.

Looking for More Healthy Gluten-Free Recipes?

If you love simple recipes like these sesame-crusted salmon cakes, you'll find 93 gluten-free and dairy-free recipes in my cookbook.

I created these recipes around the same philosophy I use with my patients: healthy food should be simple, practical, satisfying, and actually taste good.

Ready for more healthy meal ideas? Get your copy of my cookbook here.