Chef John's Salmon Loaf

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Canned salmon is an inexpensive source of protein and omegas, so grab a can from your pantry to make Chef John's easy and tasty salmon loaf recipe.

Ingredients

1/4 cup salted butter
1/3 cup diced onion
2 (7 ounce) cans red salmon, drained
1/2 cup finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 large eggs

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Generously butter a loaf pan.
2 Melt 1/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Add onion; cook and stir for 1 minute. Turn off the heat; cool.
3 Place salmon in a large bowl; mash with a fork. Add cracker crumbs, vinegar, salt, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and onion mixture; mix and mash with a spatula or spoon until smooth.
4 Separate eggs, adding yolks to salmon mixture and adding whites to a clean glass, metal, or ceramic bowl. Stir egg yolks into salmon mixture until well combined.
5 Whisk egg whites to medium stiff peaks; gently fold into salmon mixture in 2 additions.
6 Transfer salmon mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth top with a spatula to even out; shake and tap the pan to remove any air bubbles.
7 Bake in the center of the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes, then carefully invert loaf onto a cutting board. Slice and serve.