Newfoundland Fish Cakes. A delicious comfort food tradition that’s part of our collective culinary culture.
Newfoundland Fish Cakes
UPDATE: April 2015. I added new photos of this recipe today which are destined for my second cookbook this Fall.
I’ve also included a great brunch idea for this traditional favourite by incorporating fish cakes in to a version of Eggs Benedict! Get my shortcut Hollandaise Sauce recipe here.
From Jan 30, 2009
Today’s dish and photo come courtesy of 13 year old guest chef Laura Taylor. Laura is from from Conception Bay South and was looking for tips on making Fish Cakes the traditional Newfoundland way.
She chose fish cakes as a traditional Newfoundland meal to complete an assignment for her Grade 8 Social Studies class at Vila Nova School.
Newfoundland Fish Cakes
She is a French Immersion student, hence the photo label Gateau de Poisson.
This very simple dish was a staple on many Newfoundland kitchen tables for who knows how long? Probably hundreds of years, given that the simple ingredients were readily available from the land and the sea.
Fish Cakes Eggs Benedict
Newfoundland fish cakes, a traditional favourite.
I remember my grandmothers cooking them in large cast iron skillets in the rendered fat from making scrunchions. For our non-native readers, scrunchions are a very traditional accompaniment to several traditional Newfoundland meals.
They are simply cured fat back pork which is diced in small cubes and then fried until crispy to render out most of the fat.
It does my heart good to know that our food culture is still being kept alive in the classroom. You did a great job on these, Laura, I think they look delicious.
If your Social Studies teacher doesn’t give you an A on this one, tell him to take it up with me! 😉
A brunch idea and an easy lower sodium substitution.
One of my brunch favourites uses these traditional fish cakes in a new way by adding placed eggs and Hollandaise sauce. I sometimes add some crumbled crisp cooked bacon on top as well, because what isn’t better with bacon?!
Newfoundland Fish Cakes
If you don’t like salt fish, or just if you are trying to reduce sodium in your diet, fresh or frozen cod can easily be substituted.
Fresh cod is a staple of Newfoundland cooking.
The only thing to be watchful for is seasoning the potato mix. It will likely need a little more salt to taste, to make up for some of what was lost in the substitution.
As always, taste as you go, and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
Looking for more Newfoundland recipes?
If you’d like to see more traditionally inspired recipes from our province, please check out this collection on some of our Most Popular Newfoundland recipes.
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Newfoundland Fish Cakes
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Newfoundland Fish Cakes
Newfoundland Fish Cakes - These traditional Newfoundland fish cakes have been made for countless generations using the most basic of ingredients like potatoes, salt fish and onions.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salt dried cod
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 small chopped onion
- 6 cups mashed potato
- 1 beaten egg
- 2 tbsp dried savoury, (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Soak the salt cod in cold water overnight.
- Simmer the salt cod in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Drain the water off the fish and allow the fish to cool to almost room temperature.
- When the fish is cool, flake it apart with a fork into small pieces.
- In a sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until they are softened.
- Add the flaked fish along with the mashed potato, egg, pepper and savoury.
- Mix together until well combined, then form into small cakes and roll in flour.
- Fry the fish cakes in canola oil over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve with scrunchions if desired.
Notes
Prep time does not include the overnight soaking time for the salt, dried cod. Scrunchions are ½ inch cubes of cured pork fatback that are fried and rendered to a crispy texture. The scrunchions and rendered fat get served over the fish cakes.
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.
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Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.
Nutrition Information
Yield
18Serving Size
gAmount Per Serving Calories 179Saturated Fat 1gCholesterol 73mgSodium 2689mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 1gProtein 25g
This was my 1st time trying this recipe for the Newfoundland Fish Cakes and i must say my husbandand i simply loved them. The recipe was easy and fast to do. I am impressed by the flavour of them. That is just what i needed a recipe that does not take all day to make. Very delicious!! I would recommend them to anyone who likes fish! Thank you for posting the recipe it sure came in handy.
When I’m missing down home this is what I cook. It cures the longing to be back home. Sure is one of the best ways to cure missing the rock
Should the potatoes be left to cool to room temperature as well?
Not to room temperature but cooled down enough to handle.
Savory is not an option must a necessity for the flavor. Onions can be added just to the fish/potato mix and they cook just fine. This was my Mother’s way of cooking fishcakes–except now I buy deboned saltfish. I have been told they are very good.
I always boil my potatoes the day before. Let cool and then cover them with a paper towel and platic wrap.. Place in fridge. This paper towel idea takes the wetness out of the potatoes.
These fish cakes were amazing! I omitted the savory because my husband gets heartburn when he eats it. Also, I fried up the onions with scrunchions instead of butter. I then added the scrunchions to the mixture. I used the fat from the scrunchions to fry up the fish cakes. I served my fish cakes with mustard pickles 🙂 Thanks so much for this awesome recipe!!
Tazz that is exactly how my mom would make them and now I do too!!!
I just mad these. They are great!! A simple and flavourful recipe. Awesome!
Nothing beats the traditional favourites! Glad you enjoyed them.
I make mine up the night before a dinner party, refrigerate for the savoury to mingle & take out about 1/2 hour before frying!
I serve mini fish cake appetizers with a sweet Asian sauce mixed with sour cream or light mayo diluted with milk. Always a big hit especially for those that have not had fish cakes with the Nfld savoury before, yes it is the savoury that makes a difference,
can you use salmon instead of the cod?
Yes. I sometimes do a mix of sweet potato and white potato to make salmon cakes.
Is it possible to sub another white fish for cod, like frozen flounder? I live in Saskatchewan and salt dried cod may not be available.
Absolutely. I’ve often seen them made with unsalted cod.
We loved these ! So easy to make & so yummy! I didn’t have to soak the cod overnight just put it in cold water in the morning & gave it 4-5 good rinses throughout the day!
Can I freeze these?
Before or after cooking, which is best?
Before cooking.
Can I freeze these?
Yes on a cookie shhet first, then with wax or parchment paper between them.
This may be a stupid question but if you have fresh cod, could you use that instead of salt fish and would it taste as good? Would adding salt to the dish, provide the same taste as salt fish?
Salt fish is quite different. These are also made with fresh fish on occasion.
Please list a few things that you serve with your fish cakes.
Also, What type of veggies taste best with these fish cakes?
Lots of times we have them with brunch. think eggs and hollandaise as a new eggs Benedict version. At meal times simple steamed vegetables of any sort or even a big salad is enough to serve.
WE serve them with carrots and cream sauce.
That sounds gorgeous…
My mother always served them with stewed tomatoes and peas or green beans.
We serve them with homemade beans and fresh rolls or bread
We serve them with green tomato chow chow on the side. Yummy!
We like them with eggs and homemade baked beans. Yum!
baked beans and fresh
homemade rolls
I made this recipe for supper tonight and what a hit! Even the picky eater that doesn’t like fish cleaned her plate! I wouldn’t change a thing about these fish cakes! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
This looks so good. I loved fishcakes when I was growing up. My dad would add a little bit of parsnip to his fishcakes, that was his mother’s secret.
That’s an interesting idea. My wife loves parsnip.
Have made this recipe a couple of times. Forgot to soak the fish the first time and OH really enjoyed them that way so that is my only change to this delicious recipe 🙂
I used salt cod, striped bass and haddock for types if fish. my only issue is mine seem to fall apart easy when cooking. Any suggestions?
Try using less butter or more potato. Chilling the cakes before frying helps…and don’t try to turn them too soon before they get a good crust on them.
I add a beaten egg to the mix. Helps hold it together.
I just made this recipe tonight they were delicious. Almost like my grandmother’s, she didn’t put savoury in her fish cakes. The next time I will omitted the savoury. Thank you so much for this recipe. I will definitely be making these again. 😀
Hi there, can these be baked? or how could I make them a little crispy but not fried? Trying to be a little health conscious, maybe baked in a pan greased with butter?
You could heat a cast iron pan in the oven, lightly oiled. Bake them until brown in the bottom and then flip them. I’d try about 400 degrees.
Try cooking the cakes in an air fryer if you have one. You can get them for $39 up. They get crispy outside and soft inside
These are the best fish cakes I have ever made. Will definitely make these again.
So glad they were such a success!
I have made these fishcakes with little chunks of cheese and omitted the savoury, they are delish!
This may sound silly but is salt cod the same thing as corn fish? (Maybe pernounced corned -salted cod fillets) I would love to try this recipe and I only have corn fish
Salt fish is dry cured. You can probably substitute corned fish.
hi , do i soak the fish in fridge or on counter ?
Either will be fine.
Thanks Barry
Im making them for dinner tonite for my newfie hubby , so heres hopin !!!
I find corned cod works better.Simply catch or buy fresh cod and spread sea salt on both sides.Let it sit for a few hours Rince the salt of with cold water and presto you have corned cod.. Best with home made backed beans.
When thawing my fish cakes, they release a LOT of water making them hard to manage ( they want to fall apart). Any ideas?
I’m wondering the type of potatoes you use. Russets are what i generally use.
I don’t thaw the frozen fishcakes. I fry them before freezing. Then directly from freezer into frying pan on low heat until heated through. Works perfectly
I make fish cakes all the time and freeze them . You do not thaw them before frying . Just toss fish cakes in a hot pan with a little butter and oil. They will not fall apart . ( wrap separately in Saran before freezing ) . I servebthem with fresh home made bread and of course mustard .
Can’t see the recipe? Can you please send it to me. 🙂
I don’t understand your question. You are on the recipe page to make a comment. Why can’t you see it? Do you mean print it?
Savoury is a must! These are great served with mustard pickles.
Do you ever add an egg to the potato/ fish mixture?
These would also go very well with homemade baked beans.
I don’t use savoury as it gives me heartburn!
Just managed to find salt cod for the first time in many years! (I live in the Fraser Valley BC). And now I found your recipe! Sounds like my Grandma’s old recipe that I lost awhile back–thank you!!!
These fish are great. They go wonderful with baked beans and, of course, green tomato chow chow. This is a must.
Hi – do I boil it in the same water I soaked it in, or do I change the water to fresh water?
You should change the water on salt fish.
These sound terrific! Very similar to Portuguese Cod Balls that I grew up with except those use fresh parsley instead of savoury. I’ll be trying your version next with the savoury.
Thanks for sharing all your recipes!
This is my first time cooking with salted cod. I made bacala stew and wondered what to do with extra salt cod I had. Google led me straight to your door, wonderful and beloved Newfoundland. I have a love for the people and province of Nfld and Labrador and I’ve never been there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to the aid of all the plane people, many who were my fellow citizens from the U.S. Your kindness to 7000 people coming out of the sky all at once show how special the citizens of your country, your province and your towns are. I am honored to have you as neighbors. God Bless each of you.
Back to food: i made the Newfoundland Salted Cod Cakes. WOW. They were delicious. They came out looking great. The only change I made was adding Old Bay Seasoning since I didn’t have savoury. I’ll be making these for many more years.
So glad you had a great success with your fishcakes. Old Bay goes with practically everything, doesn’t it? I may just try that myself!
You’ll never hear anybody mention adding corn to your cakes. You do not not know what you’re missing.
Rendering pork fat in the microwave is quick, easy, and stinkless. 1/2″ cubes sounds pretty darn big to me.
But I’m a come from away 🙁
. I have not made the patties yet but am concernd with the sodium content in the serving size. Being a cardiac patient the sodium is more than the recommended amount allowed. Do you have any suggestions to cut the amount of sodium ?
Use fresh fish perhaps?
I live in Port Alberni BC (2010 Ultimate Fishing Town) of West Coast or some might say the Wet Coast.. We are planning a summer trip to East Coast. I’m going to try your recipe and want to clarify Step 1: soak salt code overnight – I have to presume the salt cod is removed from this water if yes Step 2: Simmer salt cod for 15 minis in boiling water – this would be fresh pot of water. It may sound silly to ask, however once I start I want to get it right, a piece of salt cod is not cheap. Thanks Barbi
Your assumptions are correct, Barb.
Hello,
If you buy the dried salted cod you msy need to soak for 2-3 days, changing the water 1-2 times per day. This is done to get the salt out of it. When ready to start recipe, you start with fresh water. Good Luck. They’re delicious.
Make them all the time, bought the salt cod today six dollars a pound, my father sold it in his store 1992 for .69 cent a pound !!!!
Salt fish cakes, served with a dollop of rhubarb chutney… two flavours that are absolutely meant for each other…
That sounds amazing.
Hi
Love your recipes and use them always. Do you have a recipe for fresh cod fish cakes?
Thanks
Recipe calls for one and 1/2 pounds of dried salt cod so I am wondering how many cups of fish this would be after it has been soaked and flaked?
I am planning on using fresh cooked fish but I don’t know how many cups should be used.
Id say about 3 cups or so.
Just a quick word to say how much I love your recipes and down-home explanations. I’m looking forward to making your chocolate mice.
I realize that your post on fish cakes is old, from ‘way back in 2009, but I had to make this comment. The translation for “fish cakes” in French is not “gateau de poisson” but should be “galette de poisson”. The word “galette” refers to a round. flat disk of some food stuff such as potato or fish.
The word “gateau” cannot be used to mean “cake” as in “fish cake” because that would imply that the “cake” is large like a loaf. The French use the word “cake” to describe savoury and sweet loaves that we would call “quickbreads”. For example, I own a French cookbook called, “Les Cakes de Sophie” (Sophie’s Quickbreads), and they are all quickbreads that are baked in bread loaf pans, sweet or savoury such as what we would call zucchini bread, ham and cheese bread, black olive and feta cheese bread, asparagus bread, etc.
See her book here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2601746-les-cakes-de-sophie
All the best to you and your family this Christmas! Keep up the great work!
Hi Barry, we have some salt cod that my daughter got my wife, who is from Newfoundland for Christmas and she wanted me to ask if we can use it for fish cakes. We love this site. Thank you for this site.
Yes of course, that’s what most people use, although fresh fish cakes are good too.
Just going to make the fish cakes 2 tablespoon of dried savoury seems like a lot Is that what you use?
Also after soaking COD fish do I drain the soaked water and use new water to boil the fish
I would like to take these fish cakes to potluck supper but don’t have the luxury of frying them there. What is the best way to reheat them
I’d say on a cookie sheet in the oven. Flip them half way through.
Hi Barry! Let’s get right to it. What is salt cod and where can I find it in the US? I am in Wisconsin in the mid-East. The fish stores of my childhood are all gone. The majority of cod we get here is frozen. I have seen recipes for salt cod but never keep them because I have no way obtain the fish. If you know a way to get it here thank you. If not I enjoy all your other wonderful recipes! Best Wishes Barb
No idea about your area, Barb but I would look for a Portuguese market which may sell it as baccalau.. It is simply cod that has been dry cured in rock salt. Try Googling “buy salt cod online” too.