This crispy tuna patties recipe is a super quick, easy, and healthy dinner idea! Adding a touch of mayo keeps these tuna cakes tender on the inside, yet crunchy and delicious on the outside... And did I mention they're budget friendly?
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Blue Harbor Fish Co; all opinions and text are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this site!
Tuna Patties For The Win!
Much like this beloved Parmesan-crusted chicken recipe, these crispy fried tuna patties were a weeknight regular when my husband and I were newlyweds.
Back then we were living on a first-year apprentice's wages, and budget-friendly proteins (like pouch or canned tuna fish) were a necessity for maintaining our skimpy grocery budget.
While our grocery budget has increased over the years, budget-friendly, quick & easy dinners are still in high demand around here! You know, five kids + sports and all...
Blue Harbor Fish Co Albacore Tuna
It's been ages since I've made them, but tuna patties were the first recipe that I thought of when I received a package of Blue Harbor Albacore Tuna pouches recently.
A quick survey of my pantry showed that I had all the necessary ingredients on hand. That's what's so great about a simple tuna cake recipe like this - you can almost always throw it together at a moment's notice if you keep a well-stocked pantry.
After trying these tuna pouches, Blue Harbor will definitely be on my list to keep stocked. Blue Harbor is Marine Stewardship Council certified, which means it comes from fisheries dedicated to sustainable fishing.
Each pouch is filled with sustainably-caught, wild Albacore tuna that's hand-selected and packed with only water or water and sea salt (no preservatives!), depending on the variety. The flavor is delicious, mild, and very clean!
How To Make Tuna Patties
Overall, this tuna patty recipe is very forgiving. Out of bread crumbs? Use an equal amount of crushed saltine or butter crackers instead.
Not a fan of Sriracha? Go ahead and skip it (although it really doesn't add THAT much heat). Or try swapping the lemon and fresh parsley for lime and cilantro for a tasty change of pace.
The only ingredient I wouldn't change is the mayo... Which is weird because the tuna patties recipe my mom made when I was growing up did not have mayonnaise in it. But after trying it a few years ago, I've never gone back!
Mayo is truly the secret ingredient in my crispy tuna patties recipe. It adds SO much flavor and keeps the inside of the tuna patties tender and juicy.
Crispy Yet Tender Tuna Cakes
I like these tuna patties served over fresh greens drizzled with a simple lemon aioli. But my husband prefers to turn them into tuna burgers on a bun with guacamole - they're super versatile like that.
I love it when one recipe can please everyone... And when it's quick and easy, too, you know you've got a real winner!
Printable Recipe ↓
15-Minute Crispy Fried Tuna Patties
Ingredients
- 3 (5-ounce) cans chunk light tuna in water, drained
- 1 large egg
- ½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- ½ small lemon, zested and juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup dry bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil, or your preferred oil
Instructions
- Add the tuna to a large bowl. Stir in the onions and fresh parsley.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, mayo, Sriracha, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Add the liquid mixture to the tuna mixture and stir together. Add the bread crumbs, and use your hands to combine and mix evenly.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions, about ½ cup each. Shape into 4 patties, each about 1 inch thick.
- Heat the avocado oil (or your desired cooking oil) over medium heat. Using a fish turner spatula, gently lay the tuna patties in the pan. Cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Easy Side Dish Recipes
Wondering what to serve with tuna patties? With a main dish as easy as this tuna cakes recipe, you're going to want to keep your side dishes quick and easy, as well. Here are a few of our very favorites:
- Italian Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Perfect Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Sauteed Green Beans With Garlic
- Loaded Guacamole Salad
- 3-Ingredient Roasted Sesame Asparagus
By the way, if you like these tuna patties, you might also enjoy these other canned tuna recipes:
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad Without Mayo
- Easy Tuna Casserole With Egg Noodles
BONUS RECIPE: my favorite chicken salad with grapes and pecans that's made with canned chicken breast chunks!
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your fried tuna patties turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Archana Werner says
Delicious! Very easy and simple recipe! Have already made a few times.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Thank you for letting me know how much you enjoy it, Archana!
Angie says
It was absolutely delicious ❤️
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy you loved them! Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Nita says
Delicious. Wish I could post a picture. I Will make them again with lent coming.
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy you enjoyed them, Nita! It's definitely a great recipe for Lent.
Amy says
Didn't have fresh parsley so I subbed equal parts garlic and dill. And used half Greek yogurt and half mayo. I did not have high hopes for this because I'm not a huge tuna fan and was just trying to use up some old cans but they were amazing! Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
This brought the biggest smile to my face, Amy. So glad you loved them!!
Barb says
I loved it so much, I’m just a college student who wanted to make something easy and it turned out better that I expected!!
Melissa says
Do you have a recipe for the simple lemon aioli you use? I would love to have that to complete my recipe for the tuna patties! Thank you!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Melissa! I do have a recipe, but I haven't shared it, yet... Guess I should get on that! Basically you stir together 3/4 cup mayo, 2 minced garlic cloves, the juice and zest of half a lemon, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. I usually make it before making the tuna patties, so that it can sit for a few minutes. We love it on these oven roasted baby potatoes that I recently shared, too! And they happen to make a great side for these tuna patties.
Melissa says
Thanks so much for the side suggestion. We made the tuna patties tonight and absolutely loved them. Next time, we will try the potatoes with them.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy you loved them!!
Amanda says
So delicious, quick and easy! Substituted ground pork rinds to make a lowcarb/GF option.
Tara Kuczykowski says
What a great idea — thanks for sharing!
Jackie says
These are amazing! Thank you!! We will be having this on a weekly basis for sure!
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy you loved it, Jackie!
Diane says
Made this recipe for lunch, exactly as written, and found it to be excellent. My grandma always made salmon cakes using a similar recipe, and I honestly never considered using tuna this way till reading your recipe. It’s lovely, lighter than the salmon, and tastes delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Cheaper than salmon, too! So glad you enjoyed them, Diane.
Constanza says
Just read the recipe! Can I use all purpose flour instead of bread crumbs? And if I can do I use the same amount?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Costanza! I've honestly not made them with flour, so I can't provide any feedback on how they will turn out. Using crackers instead of breadcrumbs would be the simplest substitution.
Melanie says
Can I cook this in an air fryer?
Tara Kuczykowski says
I've honestly never tried it, but I don't see why not!
Erin says
@Melanie, I just tried it tonight. The flavours were the same, but it tasted a bit drier than pan frying.
If you are counting calories, I’d say air fry. If not, oil up and pan fry!
Amanda says
I made these tonight and they were great. The lemon zest and juice really brightens them up. And they don’t take long at all to make. Easy and tasty.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy you loved them, Amanda! Thanks for coming back to let me know.
Tina says
Oh my goodness! Perfect with a salad. Used cilantro and lime juice. So tasty and quick...thank you so much!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yay, so happy you loved them, Tina!!
Tina says
I love it when i do a search on Pinterest and the first recipe is exactly what I am looking for! Blue Harbor is the only tuna I buy but haven't seen it in a pouch...will look around for it but I always have cans of it so I'm excited to try it tonight...thank you!
Peggy says
Made these tonight for dinner. Absolutely delicious, served them with cole slaw. I felt like I was out for a fish fry. Thanks for the recipe.
Tara Kuczykowski says
So glad you enjoyed them, Peggy!