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Crispy Fish Cake Sandwiches

By Sara Mayer

Published on May 11, 2026

Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Crispy Fish Cake Sandwiches

Ingredients

3 cups shredded green cabbage ½ red onion, sliced thin, rinsed thoroughly, and patted dry½ bell pepper (any color), cut into thin strips2 tablespoons lime juice ¾ teaspoon plus 1⁄8 teaspoon table salt, divided¾ cup fresh parsley leaves ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves 1 garlic clove, minced¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes ¾ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 pound skinless cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces1½ cups panko bread crumbs, divided¼ cup vegetable oil 4 hamburger buns, toasted

Before You Begin

If buying skin-on fillets, purchase 1¼ pounds of fish and ask your fishmonger to skin it for you or do it yourself using a sharp knife. When processing the cod, it’s OK to have some pieces that are larger than ¼ inch. It is important to avoid overprocessing the fish. Haddock, hake, or pollock are all good substitutes for cod. A combination of herbs is nice, but you can also use 1½ cups of either parsley or cilantro. Coleslaw mix can be used in place of the cabbage. If you’re not interested in a sandwich, the crispy patties, slaw, and sauce also make for a great combination served over hearty grains or baby greens.

Instructions

  1. Combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage; ½ red onion, thinly sliced, rinsed, and dried; ½ red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips; 2 tablespoons lime juice; and ½ teaspoon table salt in bowl; set aside.
  2. Pulse ¾ cup fresh parsley leaves, ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 minced garlic clove, ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ⅛ teaspoon salt in food processor until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Add ¾ cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar and pulse until mixture is combined but not smooth, about 5 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer sauce to bowl; do not clean food processor.
  3. Add 1 pound skinless cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces, to food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped into ¼-inch pieces, about 5 pulses; transfer to large bowl. Gently fold in 6 tablespoons sauce, ¾ cup panko bread crumbs, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread remaining ¾ cup panko bread crumbs in shallow dish. Using your lightly moistened hands, divide cod mixture into 4 equal portions, then gently shape each portion into 1-inch-thick cake, about 3½ inches in diameter. Working with 1 cake at a time, dredge in panko, pressing lightly to adhere; transfer to plate.
  4. Heat ¼ cup vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook cakes until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes per side, reducing heat as needed if panko is browning too quickly. Transfer cakes to paper towel–lined plate and let drain, about 30 seconds per side. Spread remaining sauce evenly over 4 toasted hamburger bun tops. Transfer cod cakes to bun bottoms, top with slaw and bun tops, and serve.
Crispy Fish Cake Sandwiches
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Christine Tobin.

Crispy Fish Cake Sandwiches

Headshot of Sara Mayer
By Sara Mayer

Published on May 11, 2026

Save

Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

Why This Recipe Works

Flaky cod and herby mayo are your shortcut to crisp, golden fish cakes. We tucked the pan-fried fish cakes into a lightly-toasted, golden bun and finished with a bright, crunchy slaw for snap in every bite to ensure a medley of flavors and textures.

Before You Begin

If buying skin-on fillets, purchase 1¼ pounds of fish and ask your fishmonger to skin it for you or do it yourself using a sharp knife. When processing the cod, it’s OK to have some pieces that are larger than ¼ inch. It is important to avoid overprocessing the fish. Haddock, hake, or pollock are all good substitutes for cod. A combination of herbs is nice, but you can also use 1½ cups of either parsley or cilantro. Coleslaw mix can be used in place of the cabbage. If you’re not interested in a sandwich, the crispy patties, slaw, and sauce also make for a great combination served over hearty grains or baby greens.

Instructions

  1. Combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage; ½ red onion, thinly sliced, rinsed, and dried; ½ red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips; 2 tablespoons lime juice; and ½ teaspoon table salt in bowl; set aside.
  2. Pulse ¾ cup fresh parsley leaves, ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 minced garlic clove, ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ⅛ teaspoon salt in food processor until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Add ¾ cup mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar and pulse until mixture is combined but not smooth, about 5 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer sauce to bowl; do not clean food processor.
  3. Add 1 pound skinless cod fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces, to food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped into ¼-inch pieces, about 5 pulses; transfer to large bowl. Gently fold in 6 tablespoons sauce, ¾ cup panko bread crumbs, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread remaining ¾ cup panko bread crumbs in shallow dish. Using your lightly moistened hands, divide cod mixture into 4 equal portions, then gently shape each portion into 1-inch-thick cake, about 3½ inches in diameter. Working with 1 cake at a time, dredge in panko, pressing lightly to adhere; transfer to plate.
  4. Heat ¼ cup vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook cakes until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes per side, reducing heat as needed if panko is browning too quickly. Transfer cakes to paper towel–lined plate and let drain, about 30 seconds per side. Spread remaining sauce evenly over 4 toasted hamburger bun tops. Transfer cod cakes to bun bottoms, top with slaw and bun tops, and serve.
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