These delicious tuna patties are cheap and easy to prepare. Made with canned tuna, eggs, and a few other ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. This easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes.
Table of Content
In our family, these patties are a big hit. Therefore, I have to make a big batch. So, as you can see in the images, I usually make about four cans at a time. And the leftovers I add to Aadi's school box in my soft burger bun. He calls them 'tuna burgers' and loves them.
Why make these patties
- These tuna patties or tuna fish cakes are a great way to start adding tuna to your diet.
- The recipe is simple, easy, and ready in less than 20 minutes.
- Most of the ingredients are easy to find or simple pantry staples.
- Serve them as appetizers and sides or in sandwiches and wraps. They also make perfect lunch box meals.
- Patties are a great way to make a quick snack, a light dinner, or a side dish. These also make a great addition to sandwiches, salads, or eaten on their own.
- I make some of these and serve them in sandwich bread slices when the kids are back from basketball practice. Perfect!
- Another great way to make these patties is to add potato to the tuna.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Canned tuna - You can use any brand cans of tuna you like. Actually, you can also use drained canned salmon to make salmon patties.
- Onion and garlic - I am using a brown onion but you can also use green onions or shallots. But, I prefer to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Fresh herbs - My herb of choice is fresh parsley or cilantro. And yet when it comes to fish, I also love adding dill because it pairs so well with tuna and salmon.
- Mustard - Just a slight zing. And yet you can omit it altogether.
- Parmesan - A little nutty flavor from parmesan that takes away the fishy smell completely. It's amazing!
- Salt - Please taste the tuna before you add salt. Since some brands have salt added.
- Optional ingredinets
- Spicy - If you love spicy food, add ¼ teaspoon chili or cayenne pepper. Alternatively, add ¼ teaspoon siracha to the tuna mixture.
- Lemon zest enhances the flavor of lemon in the patties.
Easy tuna patties or tuna cakes
Tuna cakes
- Tuna - Drain the canned tuna well in a colander. Place it in a large bowl and flake using a fork.
- Tuna mixture - Add the onion, garlic powder, parsley, mustard paste, egg, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Patties - Divide the mixture into four medium or six small patties. Roll into a tight ball and then fatten it to shape into a patty.
Pro tip - You can make these patties ahead of time. Then, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. And keep them in the fridge for up to 12 hours. - Pan fry - In a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet add the olive oil or vegetable oil and gently place the patties. Cook 2 minutes on each side on medium heat until lighty golden brown.
Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, mustard, and honey. Serve the patties with the yogurt sauce or ketchup, mayonnaise, tartar sauce.
Variations
- Tuna potato patties - add grated potato or sweet potato to the tuna to make tuna potato patties.
- Gluten-free patties - use almond flour as a binding agent to make these low carb or gluten free patties.
- Veggies - You can add grated zucchini or grated carrots to the bowl to make this carrot tuna patties or zucchini tuna patties.
More tuna recipes/salmon recipes
- Sesame Tuna Steak Recipe
- Seared Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe
- Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
- Tuna Potato Patties
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon or Balsamic-Glazed Salmon
- Parmesan Crusted Salmon
- Recipe for Baked Salmon
- Honey Garlic Salmon or Garlic Butter Salmon
- See all fish and seafood recipes
Frequently asked questions
How long will these tuna patties keep?
These tuna patties will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I reheat these tuna patties? How do I reheat these fish cakes?
Yes. I like to place them in the microwave oven for just 30 seconds so they are heated thru. Then, I lightly heat them in the skillet so the excess moisture on the outside gets evaporated and they become crisp, not soggy.
Can I add veggies to my tuna fish cakes?
Potatoes! You can add veggies just as I have in my recipe for tuna potato patties. You can add grated carrots, parsnip, or potatoes. You want to avoid vegetables with too much moisture like zucchini as they make these soggy and sometimes fishy.
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Printable Recipe
Canned Tuna Patties Recipe
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 107kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 6 patties
Description
These tuna patties are a great way to start adding tuna to your diet. The recipe is simple, easy, and ready in less than 20 minutes. Serve them as appetizers and sides or in sandwiches and wraps. They also make perfect lunch box meals.
Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
Tuna patties
- 6 oz (340 g) Canned tuna (2n large cans of tuna drained)
- 1 small Onion (finely chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder ((or 1 small fresh garlic clove minced) )
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ cup Parsley (chopped finely)
- ½ teaspoon Mustard paste
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoon Cheddar cheese (grated)
- ½ cup Bread crumbs (dry such panko bread crumbs )
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil (or vegetable oil for pan frying )
Saute
- ½ cup (120 ml) Greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Honey
Instructions
Tuna patties
- Tuna - Drain the canned tuna well in a colander. Place it in a large bowl and flake using a fork.
- Tuna mixture - Add the onion, garlic powder, parsley, mustard paste, egg, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, lemon juice, and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Patties - Divide the mixture into four medium or six small patties. Roll into a tight ball and then fatten it to shape into a patty. Pro tip - You can make these patties ahead of time. Then, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. And keep them in the fridge for up to 12 hours.
- Pan fry - In a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet add the olive oil (or vegetable oil) and gently place the patties. Cook 2 minutes on each side on medium heat until lightly golden brown.
Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, mustard, and honey. Serve the patties with the yogurt sauce or ketchup, mayonnaise, tartar sauce.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 82- gCalories: 107- kcalCarbohydrates: 3.8- gProtein: 12.4- gFat: 4.9- gSaturated Fat: 0.8- gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4- gMonounsaturated Fat: 0- gTrans Fat: 0- gCholesterol: 5.1- mgSodium: 183- mgPotassium: 0- mgFiber: 0.5- gSugar: 0.6- gVitamin A: 0- IUVitamin C: 0- mgCalcium: 0- mgIron: 0- mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Onehundredroads
These were easy and really good. I used fewer herbs and added seafood seasoning. I enjoyed them, unfortunately my picky almost three did not, but I think it was due to the seafood seasoning. Thanks for a great recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you. My kids love these patties. They usually love tuna and can eat it out of the can with a spoon. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback.
Claudia Lamascolo
We love tuna and I am so glad to come across this pattie recipe because I know they will be great so many ways besides on my salad and in sandwiches. Delicious!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Claudia.
Jackie Brenner-Shanley
I am new at using a cast iron skillet at 63 and decided to try your highly rated fishcake recipe on a whim....THE best i have ever made, despite needing a bit more adjusting to gas temp....thanks for sharing and will be making them ofyem....unfortunately minus garlic ? due to hubby.....he is brit, me floridian....but i did sneak the pepper in!!!!! Will be trying out many of gour recipes so thanks!!!! Warmly, jackie
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Jackie. So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. You do not necessarily need to use a cast iron skillet - it does give a bit more crispness though. You can definitely personalize it more to your taste. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Always happy to hear when people try my recipes. Thanks
Kasey
These are so simple and easy. My three year old loves them. Thanks
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Kasey. So happy you're three years old enjoyed these fish cakes. It's popular with my kids too. Thank you for taking the time to write this feedback. Love hearing back from those who try my recipe. Have a great day.
Cynthia
What a great way to get some extra fish meals in! Perfect for lunch boxes!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Cynthia. Definitely a great way to get more fish