Tuna Potato Patties aka Tuna Fish Cakes
These tuna potato patties, aka tuna fish cakes, are a great way to start adding tuna in your diet. The potato adds a nice balance for those who find tuna fishy or too much fish. Furthermore, this recipe is simple, easy and effortless. It’s ready in less than 20 minutes. Serve them as appetizers and sides or in sandwiches and wraps. They also make perfect lunch box meals too.
How to make Tuna Potato Patties, Tuna fish Cakes or Tuna potato cakes
Some of the best appetizers, sides or quick snacks in our home are patties, cakes, and fritters. My kids will eat anything if you pack it in a patty, cake or fritter. I mean anything. For example, some of the family favorites in our home are my carrot zucchini fritters, Kidney beans patties, swiss chard patties, leek and potato patties, spinach potato patties, cilantro fish cakes, ground chicken patties. Yes, my kids actually eat Swiss chard and spinach if you put them in patties.
About these tuna potato patties
Do your kids eat tuna? My kids love tuna and they can eat tuna with a spoon out of the can with a slice of bread. And, they love my tuna patties now. And yet, I must admit that when they were kids it took them a while to enjoy tuna or any other fish. Not anymore. Now they love tuna and they love my tuna fish cakes, and especially these tuna potato patties.
Seems like this is a very common recipe and one that almost all moms make. I remember my mom would use the leftover mashed potatoes to make these patties. However, I almost never have mashed potatoes leftover. That’s because Ziv and Aadi love mashed potatoes very much. Therefore, I prefer to grate my potato into the tuna. And while it takes two to three minutes to cook, it does give a nice texture to the potato patties.
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Let’s talk ingredient and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Tuna – While I always use canned tuna for this recipe, freshly cooked tuna flakes would be good too. We use tuna in water for this one and drain it off well so that the fish cakes are not too soggy.
- Potato – I like to grate fresh potatoes in mine. I like the added texture it gives the patties. And yet, if you have an already cooked mashed potato on hand, go ahead and use that instead. Since the whole purpose of this dish is to make something quick and easy.
- Fresh herbs – We are a cilantro-loving family but parsley works just as well.
- Paprika – If you like a little spicy kick you will enjoy some spicy paprika in there. I usually omit the paprika because my kids don’t care much for spicy tuna fish cakes.
- Canola oil – Cooking oil works well when you want to cook on medium-high. You can also use olive oil. And yet, olive oil is best used for medium cooking.
- Eggs – Technically you can make these eggless. Just omit the egg and you should still be able to form the patties.
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Tuna Potato Patties – Recipe (Save/Pin)
Tools
- Kitchen board and a kitchen knife
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet
- Spatula
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Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna (in water) drained well
- 1 small onion chopped (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 small garlic clove minced
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 medium potato grated (1 cup)
- and 1 tbsp chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
- 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- plus 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp canola oil for pan frying
Method
Saute onion and garlic (optional)
- Chop the onions and garlic.
- Saute in a pan on medium heat with a tsp of olive oil. I usually do not use any oil.
- Set aside – keep warm.
Drain the tuna
- Open the tuna cans and drain any excess liquid or oil.
- Shred the tuna flakes well so there are no lumps.
- Set aside.
Grate Potato
- Grate the potato and squeeze out any excess moisture.
- Do this just when you are ready to assemble.
Assemble
- Place a skillet on medium-low heat.
- Add all the ingredients in a bowl – potato, onion, garlic, flaked tuna, herbs, spices, seasoning, and eggs.
- Add a tablespoon of canola oil in the skillet.
- Using a tablespoon, place dollops of the mixture over medium-high flame and flatten with the back of your spoon.
Cook in a skillet
- Cook for one minute on medium-high, then reduce the flame to medium-low and continue to cook further for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip over and cook again on medium-high for one minute then reduce flame to medium-low and cook for further two minutes.
- If necessary drizzle some more olive oil.
- The medium-high gives a nice color and crisp while the medium-low helps cook the raw potato.
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Tuna Potato Patties aka Tuna Fish Cakes
Ingredients
- 320 grams Tuna in water 2 cans - drained well
- 1/2 cup Onion chopped
- 1/2 tsp Garlic clove minced
- 2 tbsp Flour
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 cup Potato grated
- 1 tbsp Chopped parsley or cilantro optional
- 1/4 tsp Paprika optional
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 2 tbsp Canola oil for pan frying
Instructions
Saute onion and garlic (optional)
- Chop the onions and garlic.
- Saute in a pan on medium heat with a tsp of olive oil. I usually do not use any oil.
- Set aside - keep warm.
Drain the tuna
- Open the tuna cans and drain any excess liquid or oil.
- Shred the tuna flakes well so there are no lumps.
- Set aside.
Grate potato
- Grate the potato and squeeze out any excess moisture.
Do this just when you are ready to assemble.
Assemble
- Place a skillet on medium-low heat.
- Add all the ingredients in a bowl -potato, onion, garlic, flaked tuna, herbs, spices, seasoning, and eggs.
- Immediately grate in the potato - combine well.
Cook in skillet
- Add a tablespoon of canola oil in the skillet.
- Using a tablespoon, place dollops of the mixture over medium-high flame and flatten with the back of your spoon.
- Cook for one minute on medium-high, then reduce the flame to medium-low and continue to cook further for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Flip over and cook again on medium-high for one minute then reduce flame to medium-low and cook for further two minutes.
- If necessary drizzle some more olive oil.
- The medium-high gives a nice color and crisp while the medium-low helps cook the raw potato.
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Looking for inspiration for Appetizers and Sides in the form of Patties, Cakes or Fritters?
Click here to see my collection of recipes for appetizers and sides including these patties, cakes, and fritters. In addition, you will find a collection of similar amazing recipes including green vegetables such as Swiss chard, spinach, leeks as well as tuna and turkey.
A collection of recipes for Appetizers and Sides in the form of patties, cakes, and fritters
My youngest son absolutely loves tuna fish (although not out of the can, he needs mayo). this is a really creative way to serve this instead of a sandwich.
Thanks, Valerie. Yes, my kids love plain tuna.. right out of the jar.
I’ve never made tuna patties — we’ve made salmon and they were delicious. This would make such a great luncheon dish for Hubby and I. I’m printing out the recipe right now and pinning so I don’t lose the recipe.
Tuna is awesome in patties Marisa. You must try. Thanks
Perfect game day appetizers. Looks so simple and easy. Thanks for sharing Veena!
Absolutely Amy – Perfect for game day.
Good idea! Looks very tasty! I am going to make this! This recipe really impresses! I really like! Thank you.
Thanks, Mahy. I hope you enjoy it.
I just got done showing my son this recipe and he agrees that its a winner for us. I am going to try this tomorrow … I love that crispy golden color too!
Thanks Claudia. I hope you try this one.
I love making tuna cakes but I’ve never made them with potatoes. The potatoes sound like a really yummy addition I’d like to try. I could make a meal out of just these!
Thanks Jenni. Yes, the potato is perfect as they are less fishy. I think you will love these
We just loved tz tuna pancakes….a simple and very yummy recipe