Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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These flavorful tuna patties are made without any fillers. Cooked in olive oil, they are crispy and delicious.

Also called tuna cakes, they are easy, affordable, and delicious. And they're ready in just 30 minutes! Feel free to double the recipe - the leftovers are excellent.

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

These tuna patties are an excellent option on those nights when you don't feel like cooking an elaborate meal. I love making them because they are easy, affordable, and tasty. They are also substantial and filling.

We are a family of four. Two of us love fish, one of us tolerates them, and the Picky Eater won't touch them, with the exception of keto-fried fish -- and these tuna cakes. 🙂

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Tuna Patties Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Canned Tuna Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tuna patties. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Canned tuna: I typically use water-packed Skipjack tuna. I tried tuna canned in oil once, and it worked, so that's an option, too. Whether canned in water or oil, it needs to be well drained.
  • Mayonnaise: I prefer mayonnaise made with avocado oil.
  • Dijon mustard: This traditional French mustard is creamier and thicker than yellow mustard.
  • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself, or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work, although in my experience, freshly minced tastes better.
  • Eggs: I use large eggs in almost all of my recipes, this one included.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Chopped parsley: If you don't have fresh parsley, use cilantro instead. I like the peppery flavor it adds.
  • Olive oil for frying: I love cooking with this delicious oil. Extra-virgin is best.

Variations

  • If you're like my husband and enjoy spicy food, add a teaspoon of hot pepper sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • Cooking these patties in butter is very tasty! Ghee is another delicious option that I tried and liked.
  • Chopped scallions are a lovely addition - you can use just ¼ cup of parsley and add ¼ cup of finely chopped scallions.
  • If you don't have fresh parsley or cilantro, use 1 teaspoon of dried parsley or ½ teaspoon of ground coriander.
  • Instead of two teaspoons of minced fresh garlic, you can use ½ to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. It's not as good as fresh garlic, but it's an acceptable substitute.

Tuna Patties Instructions

The detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of the steps for making this recipe:

Drain the tuna well. Place it in a medium bowl and flake it with a fork. Mix in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, eggs, kosher salt, black pepper, and parsley.

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)
Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Using a4-tablespoon scoopor measuring cup, transfer four mounds of the tuna mixture to the hot oil. Gently flatten the mounds with the back of a fork.

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)
Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (6)

Cook the patties until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Keep the cooked patties in a warm oven while you fry the second batch. Serve immediately.

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (7)
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Expert Tip

You will use 4 tablespoons of oil for frying, but the tuna cakes will only absorb about half that amount. I use the extra oil because it promotes even browning. I tried cooking the patties in less oil, and they weren't as good, so I highly recommend using 4 tablespoons of oil.

Recipe FAQs

Will tuna cakes hold their shape without breadcrumbs?

Yes! Breadcrumbs are not necessary. The patties hold together just fine without them. In fact, you don't even need to add almond flour to the mixture. Just make sure the tuna is well-drained.

Why do my tuna patties fall apart?

Perhaps your tuna wasn't well-drained, causing the mixture to be too wet. Or maybe you had relatively large chunks of tuna in the mixture.

It's also important to cook these patties in a nonstick skillet and ensure it is truly nonstick; these pans tend to become quite sticky after a year.

What can I add to tuna to make it taste better?

I like adding something creamy, such as mayo or sour cream, a flavorful ingredient like Dijon mustard, and aromatics/herbs like garlic and cilantro.

Serving Suggestions

I like to top these tuna cakes with a creamy topping such as tartar sauce, sriracha mayo, or sour cream dip and serve them with one of these salads:

  • Creamy cucumber salad
  • Broccoli salad
  • Asparagus salad
  • Tomato salad
  • Cucumber tomato salad
  • Israeli salad
  • Arugula salad
  • Caprese salad

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days or freeze them in freezer bags for up to three months. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power. They are surprisingly good when eaten cold, straight out of the fridge!

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More Canned Tuna Recipes

  • Keto Tuna Casserole
  • Keto Tuna Salad

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Recipe Card

Easy Tuna Patties

These crispy tuna patties are gluten-free and keto. They contain no breadcrumbs. Easy, affordable, and delicious, they are the perfect weeknight dinner!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 8 tuna cakes

Calories: 223kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna in water I use skipjack tuna
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
  • 2 eggs large, lightly beaten
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup fresh parsley chopped (or cilantro)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin, for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to the "keep warm" setting (170°F).

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

  • Drain the tuna well. Place it in a medium bowl and flake it with a fork.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

  • Mix in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, eggs, kosher salt, black pepper, and parsley.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

  • Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

  • Using a 4-tablespoon scoop or measuring cup, transfer four mounds of the tuna mixture to the hot oil.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (17)

  • Gently flatten the mounds with the back of a fork.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

  • Cook the patties until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Keep the cooked patties in the warm oven while you fry the second batch.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (19)

  • Serve immediately.

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (20)

Video

Notes

You will use 4 tablespoons of oil for frying, but the tuna patties will only absorb about half that amount. The nutrition info reflects that.

Ideas for varying this recipe:

  • Add a teaspoon of hot pepper sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like spicy food.
  • It's delicious to cook these patties in butter.
  • Chopped scallions are an excellent addition - try using just ¼ cup of parsley and adding ¼ cup of finely chopped scallions.

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave, covered, at 50% power.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2patties | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 598mg

Made this Recipe?

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (31) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Carolyn Wells

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (32)
    I made this tonight and no complaints and no changes. I doubled the recipe and they were delicious.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Carolyn! Thank you for taking the time to write a comment.

      Reply

  2. Tamra D Reynolds

    Could these be cooked in an air fryer?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Tamra,
      I only tested this recipe in a skillet.

      Reply

  3. Rachel

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (33)
    This is now my go-to recipe. It was quick and easy. I cut it down to one egg based on previous comments. You could change this up with different herbs and seasonings.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Glad you like this recipe, Rachel! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  4. Narelle Scrimshaw

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (34)
    These were great! They fell apart a bit on turning, but were delicious. I didn't have parsley so I used an oregano and garlic herb blend. I had some mixture left over and wanted to cook these for tomorrow's lunch. I added a few tablespoons of almond flour. They cooked up and held their shape.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Glad you liked these patties, Narelle! Thanks for the tip about adding almond flour.

      Reply

  5. Will Hardisty

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (35)
    These were exceptionally good. I cooked them in plenty of butter in a nonstick skillet.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      So glad you enjoyed these patties, Will!

      Reply

      • Lilly

        Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (36)
        Really good. I fried them in a cast-iron skillet and they crisped up nicely, so I didn't have any problem with them falling apart. I used cilantro instead of parsley and I highly recommend them this way. Thank you!

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        I'm so glad you liked these tuna patties, Lilly! Cilantro does add great flavor.

  6. Thomas Brennan

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (37)
    It's important to make the patties pretty thin, or they won't hold together. I made them too thick the first time around. Also, I cut the salt down to 1/4 teaspoon, since there's a ton of sodium in the mustard (I used regular yellow mustard). This is a good Friday night recipe - added to my book!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Glad you like this recipe, Thomas! Thank you for your insights.

      Reply

  7. Lori Calton

    Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (38)
    I was surprised that these tuna patties turned out so well without adding any type of flour. I did not have fresh parsley, so I used dried parsley as well as dried chives. The four tablespoons of olive oil is key to making this recipe work since it is too wet to make patties. Just drop 1/4 cup and follow the instructions. I might have to try this with crabmeat eventually.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Glad you liked this recipe, Lori! Check out this recipe for crab cakes. They're excellent.
      https://healthyrecipesblogs.com/gluten-free-crab-cakes/

      Reply

Easy Tuna Patties - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

How to stop tuna patties falling apart? ›

If you find that your tuna patties tend to fall apart, you don't need to start over or add more tuna: You just need to add an extra egg to the batch. Tuna from a can or pouch is usually one of three kinds of fish: albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack, all of which are pretty soft and flaky when they're packaged.

How do you make a healthy baked tuna patty? ›

Mix tuna, bread crumbs, egg, black pepper, and garlic salt together in a bowl; fold in diced tomatoes and onion. Form mixture into 4 patties; place onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until burgers are golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes per side.

What is the healthiest way to eat canned tuna? ›

Healthy tuna recipes
  1. Tangy tuna burgers. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  2. Spinach omelette. A star rating of 2.8 out of 5. ...
  3. Tuna & butterbean salad. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  4. Storecupboard tuna bean salad. ...
  5. Spicy tuna quinoa salad. ...
  6. Tuna Niçoise protein pot. ...
  7. Healthy tuna pasta. ...
  8. Asparagus & tuna salad.

What helps patties stick together? ›

The most commonly used binding agent for hamburger patties is eggs. They work well with ground meat and are easy to incorporate into the rest of your ingredients.

Is canned tuna safe and healthy? ›

Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

What is the best and healthiest tuna? ›

For tuna varieties, skipjack earns the Best Choice label from the FDA, while yellowfin and albacore receive the Good Choice label. The FDA suggests avoiding bigeye tuna, which has the highest levels of mercury. Before consuming canned tuna, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Why should you not eat canned tuna every day? ›

Certain types of tuna are high in mercury, which can have harmful effects on health in high amounts or in certain populations. For most healthy adults, it's recommended to consume at least 2 servings of fish per week, which can include tuna.

Is tuna healthier than canned chicken? ›

As you can see, chicken is higher in calories, protein and fat (which includes saturated fat) than a can of tuna calories, but they're still pretty comparable.

What spices enhance tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna
  • Organic Dill Weed: Adds a fresh, tangy kick, perfect for tuna salads.
  • Organic Garlic Powder: A universal flavor enhancer for a savory touch.
  • Organic Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): For a subtle warmth and color, excellent in rubs.
Nov 2, 2023

What flavors go well with canned tuna? ›

Feel free to use a spicy mayonnaise for an extra kick. To offset any heat, swap out soy sauce for ponzu or add lime juice to allow the citrus to cut through. If you want to get real fancy, top the tuna with specialty items like chili oil, kimchi, or melted cheese. Tuna tastes even better when it's sweeter.

Do you rinse canned tuna before eating? ›

Rinse sodium-containing canned foods, such as beans, tuna, and vegetables before eating. This removes some of the sodium. Canned fish is often packed in oil or water. Canned fish packed in oil is higher in beneficial fats and provides more energy, or calories per serving.

Why do my fish patties fall apart? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

Why do my patties fall apart? ›

If you try to flip it too soon before the meat has had a chance to fully cook on one side, the meat won't be done enough on that side to hold the rest of the patty together, and it will fall apart much easier.

How do you stop fish cakes from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

Then you can scoop the cakes and put them on a sheet pan to cool down in the fridge once again. The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely.

How do you make patties hold? ›

Hamburger Patties that Hold Together!
  1. Add 1 egg per pound of meat.
  2. Add 1/4 cup bread crumbs per pound of meat.
  3. Let patties rest in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before grilling.
Jun 27, 2019

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