Tuna Patties

Tuna Patties mains A great way to make fish cakes on a budget using canned tuna. Perfect for a quick meal fish cakes Tuna Patties tuna

These Tuna Patties are my favourite - I love to make a big batch for meal prep because they are perfect for lunch, dinner, as an appetizer, side dish or a snack. The total time to make them is under 30 minutes so they are quick easy and delicious. Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender, moist and flaky on the inside, this tuna patty recipe is the perfect way to enjoy canned tuna fish even for those who are picky about eating seafood! I’ve simplified it using simple ingredients to make these tuna patties a more realistic option for weeknight dinners and last minute get-togethers. Tuna patties are a nostalgic fish cake and a great alternative to crab cakes – especially if you’re on a budget.

Tuna Patties

Why You Will Love These Tuna Patties:

  • They are easy to prepare
  • They are so tender and delicious with simple ingredients and are quite versatile
  • You can either pan fry them, bake them or broil them in the oven, or even air fry them - all directions below in recipe notes
  • They are full of delicious lemony herby flavours
  • A great way to use up pantry items
  • Great for meal prep

Easy Tuna Patties Recipe Ingredients

  • Tuna: this recipe uses canned tuna - feel free to use tuna in water or oil but drain liquid well either one you use. Light vs. White tuna? Albacore tuna is the only kind that can be labeled as white tuna. “Light” tuna is usually skipjack or yellowfin, with slightly darker meat and more flavorful. Use whichever one you prefer or have on hand. Feel free to use canned salmon too to make these into salmon patties. Tuna is high in two kinds of Omega-3 fatty acids- It’s naturally low in carbohydrates and sugars, it’s also rich in protein too so its a great for making these fish cakes/tuna burger/patties
  • Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest: for flavour and always great with any seafood including canned fish. Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice is recommend for best flavour
  • Eggs: eggs will help bind the ingredients and keep the mixture and the patties light instead of too dense
  • Chives: fresh chopped chives add great flavor to the patties but feel free to use green onions or a finely chopped shallot instead
  • Garlic: minced garlic adds great flavour to the patties - I just used one garlic clove but feel free to make these as garlicky as you like. I generally use fresh garlic but feel free to use dried garlic powder instead - approx ½ tsp
  • Mayonnaise: use whatever mayo you like - but I prefer to use real mayonnaise not the dressing stuff or miracle whip - it adds flavor and helps give the patty mixture a creamy texture
  • Dijon Mustard: great flavor add in - feel free to use regular prepared mustard if you prefer
  • Bread Crumbs: bread crumbs help bind the patty mixture - feel free to use gluten free ones for a gluten free version
  • Parmesan Cheese: this is optional but recommend - adds delicious flavor and saltiness to these patties
  • Panko Bread Crumbs: optional but I love how coating them before pan frying the patties really gives these a nice crisp crust
  • Olive Oil: this is for pan frying the patties - feel free to use any vegetable oil like avocado and make sure to wipe the pan and add more oil to it between cooking batches of patties if needed
  • Fresh Parsley: this is for the tuna patties and extra for serving - feel free to use any herb you like deepening on your taste and if you don’t have fresh herbs you can use some dried herbs/ dried parsley in the patties as well

Tuna Patties

How to Make Tuna Patties

There are four simple steps/instructions to making tuna patties. Full directions in recipe card below.

  1. Prepare the mixture. Start by draining and flaking tuna, then chopping and slicing ingredients as needed and stir everything together in a large bowl.
  2. Shape the patties. Scoop ⅓ cup portions and shape into patties about 3 inches wide and about ½-inch thick.
  3. Chill the patties. Place patties on a baking sheet, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 15- 20 minutes (you can skip the chilling if you are short on time. Chilling just helps the patties stay together better when you cook them.)
  4. Coat and cook patties. Coat patties with panko or regular bread crumbs before pan frying them until golden. Serve with lemon wedges and your favourite creamy dip or sauce.

Tuna Patties

Storage and Freezing Tuna Patties

  • PREP AHEAD: This recipe is fairly simple (it comes together in 20 minutes), so there isn’t much reason to prep ahead. That being said, the tuna cakes can be assembled ahead of time and cooked just prior to serving. Just follow recipe directions, but don’t heat. Instead, cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Tuna cakes can be made approx 3-4 hours in advance.
  • MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE: I love making a batch of these for meal prep and eating them for lunch throughout the week. They are perfect on salad, on their own or even in a wrap or stuffed into a pita! Store your cooked and cooled tuna patties in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to re-crisp them on the stovetop or oven but you can use the microwave in a pinch.
  • FREEZING: Yes! To freeze, follow recipe directions and then allow tuna cakes to cool completely. Once cooled, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-3 hours. Once frozen through, remove tuna cakes from baking sheet and store in an airtight zipper bag. These will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge then reheat in the oven, toaster oven or microwave - note that they won’t crisp up in the microwave.

Tuna Patties

Tips for Making No Fail Tuna Patties:

  • Use forks to flake tuna into small pieces (smaller flakes hold together better when forming the cakes).
  • You can make your cakes any size you want, but I prefer mine a bit smaller. I used a two tablespoon cookie scoop to measure them evenly, and then pressed them flat into the shape I wanted. The larger or thicker your cakes are, the longer they will take to cook or heat through
  • Have a clean plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready before you form your tuna patties/fish cakes
  • Be gentle when forming them and take care to coat all sides thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs before pan frying them.
  • When you transfer the fish cakes to the skillet, make sure that the oil is hot and that each cake has space all the way around for even browning.
  • Before attempting to flip the cakes, press down firmly on the top and sides to set their form. Then gently flip. Don’t worry if a fish fragment or two falls off, you can use your spatula to press it back into the cake.
  • Serve this dish alongside lemon wedges and a cream-based sauce for the perfect snack and sprinkle some fresh parsley or green onions over the tops for an extra pop of color.

Tuna Patties

More Tuna Recipes You Will Love

Recipe

Servings: 6 patties
Prep Time: 15-20 mins
Cook Time: 10-12 mins
Non Active Time: 20 min for chilling patties (optional)

Ingredients

  • 3 (5 to 6 ounce) cans water packed tuna
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, green onions, or shallots
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • Zest and juice of half lemon
  • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup dry bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Assembly & Cooking

  • ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 2-4 tablespoons Olive oil

For Serving

  • Lemon wedges
  • Fresh chopped parsley or any fresh herbs

Directions

  1. Drain 3 cans tuna, add to large bowl bowl, and flake into smaller pieces with a fork.
  2. Add the eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, mustard, Mayo, chopped parsley and chives, lemon juice and zest, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Mix until cohesive.
  3. Divide the tuna mixture into 6 (about ⅓ cup) portions. Shape each into a 3-inch wide patty about ½-inch thick, and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover and chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to help them firm up so they don’t fall apart.
  4. Once the cakes have set, remove them from the fridge. Fill a small bowl or pie plate with approx ½ cup panko. Carefully press and coat each puck in the panko bread crumbs on all sides; set aside on a plate.
  5. Heat 1-2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Swirl so that it coats the bottom of the pan. Using a wide flat spatula, gently transfer 3 of the patties into the pan and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. You may have to adjust temperature to medium heat if pan gets too hot. Transfer to a plate.
  6. Repeat cooking the remaining tuna patties in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. (If needed wipe pan clean after first batch and add more olive oil to pan before adding second batch) Serve warm with the lemon wedges for a squeeze of lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, and your choice of sauce.

Recipe Notes

  • To bake: Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden-brown and crisp. Midway through, turn over and brush or spray tops with a little more olive oil.
  • To broil: Pre-heat broiler. Place baking sheet about 4 inches below the heating element. Broil for 5 to 6 mins each side until nicely brown on both sides and hot through. After flipping, brush top with more olive oil.
  • To air fry: Turn your air fryer on to 425º F. Place them in the cooking basket of your air fryer. Depending on your model, you may have to cook these in 2 batches if they don’t all fit in the basket. Spray them lightly with cooking spray on both sides. Place in the air fryer and cook for 8-12 minutes (or until golden brown). I turned the patties over around the ½ way mark.
  • Make Ahead Fish Cakes: You can make all the components of these fish cakes up the day before you plan to assemble them - and mix and shape the patties ahead of time. Once the patties are shaped they will keep for at least one day in the refrigerator before needing to be cooked.
  • Can You Freeze Fish Cakes? Yes, they’re perfect for freezing! Fully assemble the fish cakes, place them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and freeze them. Once frozen you can put them in a freezer container with greaseproof paper between each layer. To cook them, simply thaw and cook and instructed. You’ll have an easy dinner in a hurry! These will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
  • Can Fish Cakes Be Reheated? Yes. They’re crispiest when they’re straight out of the frying pan but if you have leftover cooked fish cakes you can reheat them in the oven. They can also be microwaved but they’ll be soggier that way.

Tuna Patties