Tuna Potato Patties – Easy Tuna Fish 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.

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.

Useful Tips and Tools

• You will need a cutting board and a kitchen knife to chop the veggies.
• Use a large Mixing bowl so you can combine everything well.
• A Skillet works great but I often like to use my cast-iron skillet for a crispy patty.
• It’s best to use a silicon Spatula for non-stick skillets or a metal for the cast-iron skillet

How to Make the BEST Tuna Potato Patties – (Save/Pin)

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 a 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 the 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.

Frequently asked questions

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Tuna Potato Patties aka Tuna Fish Cakes

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 7 mins

Total Time: 12 mins

Calories: 129kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 4 servings

Description

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.

Ingredients

• 320 grams (11.29 oz) Tuna in water 2 cans – drained well
• 1/2 cup (2.82 oz) Onion chopped
• 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Garlic clove minced
• 2 tbsp (1.04 oz) Flour
• 1 (1 ) Egg beaten
• 1 cup (7.41 oz) Potato grated
• 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Chopped parsley or cilantro optional
• 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) Paprika optional
• 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) Salt
• 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) Pepper
• 2 tbsp (1 floz) Canola oil for pan frying

ADJUST SERVINGS HERE – 4 servings

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.

Recipe Video

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Tuna Potato Patties aka Tuna Fish Cakes

Amount Per Serving (100 g)

Calories 129 Calories from Fat 61

% Daily Value*

Fat 6.8g10%

Saturated Fat 0.8g4%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 6g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 45mg15%

Sodium 128mg5%

Potassium 0mg0%

Carbohydrates 8.7g3%

Fiber 1.1g4%

Sugar 0.9g1%

Protein 8.6g17%

Vitamin A 0IU0%

Vitamin C 0mg0%

Calcium 0mg0%

Iron 0mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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

Keywords – 20 minutes, cakes, fish, patties, Tuna

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