Mackerel Fish Cakes

These tinned mackerel patties without potato are delicious and pan fried in their own drained off oil. They're also so easy to make for a quick lunch or dinner for busy families or those on a Keto or low carb diet.

1 (8 oz) can mackerel fillets, packed in oil (~ 2 small 125 g tins)
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 egg
2 Tbsp. coconut flour
1 Tbsp. ground almonds
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp. ground smoked paprika

White Cheddar Ranch Dressing:
¼ cup full-fat Greek yogurt (60 g)
⅓ cup sharp aged cheddar, finely grated (40 g)
¼ tsp. sea salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
½ tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. tamari soy sauce
2 Tbsp. apple cider or balsamic vinegar

Pour the oil from the tinned fish straight into a large frying pan, ready for shallow frying.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the mackerel recipe ingredients, (except the white cheddar ranch dressing.)

Heat up the oil in the frying pan and roll the mackerel patty recipe into 8 golf ball size balls.

Then flatten in the palm of your hands to ½” thickness and carefully place in the pan and pan-fry each side for about 3 minutes until they're golden and can hold their shape.

I recommend frying 4 patties at a time for ease.

White Cheddar Ranch Dressing:
Mix everything in a small bowl. Then serve on the side or drizzle on the patties.

Makes 8 patties.

Cook’s Notes:

• If you can only make this recipe for mackerel patties using mackerel in with spring water or brine, simply add 2 Tbsp. of olive oil or rapeseed oil in your frying pan to fry patties. You may need to add a little more oil when frying your last 4.
• White cheddar ranch dressing hack: Note, as this recipe uses 2 tins of mackerel in oil, you might want to drain one of the can's oils into this mixture instead of the frying pan.
• If you can't find full-fat Greek yogurt, then you could use crème fraîche, or double cream. I've made this with plant-based double cream before, which is also delicious.
• By swapping cheddar cheese for crumbled blue cheese, this makes a delicious Keto blue cheese dressing, which I've made many times.
• Because this recipe uses coconut flour and ground almonds with egg to hold their shape, they can be gluten free fish cakes, providing you ensure your mayonnaise, mustard are Gluten Free.
• Also, if you are making my Keto cheese sauce recipe too, make sure you are using Gluten Free soy sauce, such as Tamari. If a Gluten Free diet isn't required, then Light soy sauce also works.

How to Pan Fry Fresh Mackerel:

You'll need a little bit more oil than my recipe if pan frying raw mackerel.

Add a Tbsp. of oil in a frying pan, (which you'll need again later). Heat up the pan and place each fillet skin side down. Press down the fillets while it starts to curl to ensure all areas are cooking throughout. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until crispy and golden.

Remove and discard the skin, then flake up in a bowl and continue with the rest of the recipe.

If not following a Keto diet, coconut flour and ground almonds may be a bit alien to you. If this is the case, try substituting with:

⅓ cup wholemeal breadcrumbs (40 g)
4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, unbleached (35 g)