Tuna Patties

This tuna patties recipe makes for a fabulous low carb dinner that takes minutes to make! These tuna cakes are crispy on the outside, and juicy in the middle. 

Dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes? These tuna patties are a winner.

As a family who adores salmon patties, I’m surprised it took us such a long time to try them using tuna. 

What are tuna patties?

Tuna patties (tuna cakes) are a cross between a burger and a fritter. The base is made from canned tuna and is flavored with seasonings, including a hint of curry powder. They are bound by eggs and panko bread crumbs, but there’s a keto option if you need these to be low-carb.

Why this tuna patty recipe will be a dinnertime favorite:

• Kid friendly. If you’ve ever been wary of how to get your kids to eat seafood, this is a fantastic recipe to start with.
• Ready in 10 minutes. From prep to plate, these come together in no time.
• Affordable. Tuna is one of the cheapest and healthiest foods ever, so this recipe is super cost-effective.

Can we lament about how delicious they are? They taste SO good, you’d be shocked into thinking they were something fancy. 

Ingredients needed 

This recipe is very simple and besides some tuna and pantry staple condiments, there isn’t much else that goes into them. Here is what you’ll need:

• Canned tuna– Choose tuna that is packed in springwater or water, NOT oil or flavors. If you have tuna in brine, omit the salt. 
• Salt and pepper– to taste. 
• Curry powder– the secret ingredient that gives these patties an incredible flavor. 
• Panko bread crumbs– bind the patties together, along with the eggs. 
• Eggs– room temperature eggs. 
• Mayonnaise– I’ve stopped buying store bought mayonnaise ever since making my own. 
• Worcestershire sauce– Adds a pop of flavor that works so well with tuna. 
• Parsley– Finely chopped. 
• Butter– to fry everything in. 

How to make tuna patties

In less than 10 minutes, you can make a tuna mixture and have them all fried up!

Step 1- Make the mixture

Drain the tuna, ensuring there is no excess moisture. Add the salt, pepper, and curry powder and mix. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well until a thick mixture remains. 

Step 2- Shape and fry

Lightly wet your hands and shape the mixture into 8-10 thick patties (I prefer 8, as they make juicier patties). 

Add butter into a non-stick pan and fry the patties for 3-4 minutes, flip, and cook for a further two minutes. Once tuna patties are golden brown, they are ready to serve. 

Dietary swaps and substitutions

The beauty of these tuna patties is how easy they are to customize or adapt to fit other diets. My father actually follows a low carb diet, so I make him keto tuna patties whenever he requests them and they taste the same! 

• Cut the carbs by using keto bread crumbs instead of traditional ones.
• Replace the eggs with an egg substitute. 
• Use different spices like red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or lemon pepper seasoning. 
• Make it gluten free by using gluten free panko bread crumbs. 

How do you keep tuna patties from falling apart?

A good tuna patty needs at least one binding agent, either as an egg or bread crumbs. For this recipe, we use both of them, which guarantees they never fall apart. 

Which canned tuna is best? 

No canned tuna is created equal and choosing the right kind makes all the difference in terms of taste and environmental impact. Here are our tips on choosing the best kind-

• Choose water packed tuna which should only have springwater and tuna as the ingredients and nothing else. If you are eating tuna on its own, you can choose options packed in olive oil. 
• Tuna caught by pole and line fishing is sustainably caught and has the lowest levels of mercury. 
• BPA free cans or pouches are always best as they limit the metal leaching into the fish. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.

To freeze: If you’d like to freeze tuna patties, place them in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.

Reheating: Reheat the patties in a non-stick pan or in the air fryer until hot and crispy. 

What goes good with tuna patties? 

Growing up eating tuna patties, we used to pair childhood staples with them, like mac and cheese or garlic bread. Now that our palates are a little more advanced, there are tons of options to pair them with. Here are some of our favorite things to serve with tuna cakes: 

• With dipping sauces like cheese sauce, alfredo sauce, ranch dressing, or fry sauce. 
• Over some vegetables like mashed cauliflower, grilled sweet potatoes, or air fryer zucchini. 
• With fresh salads like a spinach salad, cauliflower potato salad, pasta salad, or coleslaw. 
• In sandwiches or in a roll, slathered with sauces, tomatoes, and lettuce. 

Frequently Asked Questions