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

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.

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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.

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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

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.

Add Your Own Notes

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Nutrition per Serving

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

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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

    Leave a Comment

  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 do you keep tuna patties from falling apart? ›

Eggs: Two eggs lend moisture and help hold the patties together.

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? ›

  1. Swap tuna into your favorite salmon or crab cake recipe.
  2. Mix tuna into vegetable- or potato-based soup or into stew instead of chicken. ...
  3. If you're sticking with a simple salad on the run, swap mayo for Greek yogurt, and mix in some Dijon mustard.
  4. Try using cottage cheese in place of mayo or Greek yogurt.
Dec 21, 2015

How long do cooked tuna patties last in the fridge? ›

Cooked tuna patties will last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Uncooked tuna patties will last in the refrigerator for 2 days. To extend the life of your tuna patties, you can store them in the freezer.

What can I mix with canned tuna? ›

Dress up your canned tuna in these healthy recipes.
  • 01 of 05. Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs. ...
  • 02 of 05. One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon. ...
  • 03 of 05. Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread. ...
  • 04 of 05. Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing. ...
  • 05 of 05.
Aug 19, 2022

Why do my homemade patties fall apart? ›

watch the edges, and don't flip them until the edges are browning. also pay attention to the way you shape your burgers. if they're much thicker in the middle than they are on the edges, the middle will still be loose while the edges of the burger are firm. and then you have the fall-apart thing happening.

What can I mix with tuna to make it taste better? ›

If you're not interested in a formal recipe, you can bring a can of tuna to life using this simple formula: Simply swap your regular mayo for a combo of mustard and Greek yogurt and use a fork to mix it with your tuna. Next, throw in any salty (capers or chopped pickles, anyone?) or sweet (grapes, perhaps?)

Can canned tuna be 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 can I add to tuna instead of mayo? ›

Since mayo is out, you can substitute a vinaigrette instead. Try finely dicing some red onion and celery, chopping up some capers, and mixing them with the tuna. Drizzle the mixture with some good olive oil and give it a healthy squeeze of lemon and a little salt and pepper.

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 it OK to eat canned tuna every week? ›

Canned tuna typically contains either albacore or skipjack tuna, and cans are usually marked as either “albacore” or “chunk light.” Albacore tuna typically has higher concentrations of mercury than chunk light tuna and should be eaten only once or twice a week. Chunk light tuna is safe to eat two or three times a week.

Can you eat 5 day old tuna salad? ›

According to FoodSafety.gov, tuna salad is good for 3-4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator.

How do you know if tuna has gone bad? ›

Avoid tuna that looks dull, grayish, or brownish. Smell: Fresh tuna should have a mild, fresh ocean-like scent. Avoid tuna that has a strong fishy odor or any off smells. Texture: Fresh tuna should be firm and springy to the touch.

How do you hold meat patties together? ›

Add 1 egg yolk per pound of hamburger. It won't add appreciably to the fat content and will bind the meat beautifully. The other thing you can do is add canned, drained, crushed black beans or chickpeas to the hamburger. The starch from the beans will bind the meat together and add an interesting taste.

Why do my fish cakes fall apart when cooking? ›

Your recipe is out of balance. Too much sugar, fat or liquid or not enough flour. Or you could be opening your oven before the cake is set and the cake is falling at that point. Why did my crab cakes fall apart?

What to use to keep salmon patties from falling apart? ›

Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise will add moisture and help keep the salmon patty from falling apart.

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