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Tuna Patties – Sugar Free Londoner
My easy tuna patties recipe is a high protein dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. The patties are budget-friendly, easy to make and taste delicious hot or cold.
If you look into your kitchen cupboard right now, you’ll most likely find a tin of tuna in there. I say this because I asked several friends and all of them had a can. I always have a few as well.
Here is my theory: Canned tuna is a food that people stock up on for those days when there is nothing else to eat in the fridge.
It’s not that tuna is the last thing one would want to eat. I actually love tuna. But, canned tuna stays fresh forever, it is a healthy protein and tastes great even out of a can (you can’t say that about chicken, for example). It’s a perfect candidate for long term storage.
My tuna fish patties are about to change all that. They are so juicy and packed with fresh herbs and bright, exciting flavor. In short, they are so delicious you’re going to start buying tuna to use on the same day!
Also try my keto tuna salad.
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What’s To Love About This Recipe
Easy. No special equipment needed. Simply stir the mixture together with a fork and fry the patties for a few minutes.
Healthy. My keto tuna patties recipe is naturally high in protein and gluten free. It does not contain breadcrumbs or potato, which feature in many traditional recipes – this is keeping the carbs low. Last but not least, the patties are nut free and dairy free!
Versatile. Enjoy the patties as a main or as an appetizer, hot or cold (think lunchboxes!) – and they also freeze well. I’m also giving you lots of flavor tweaks further down in the post.
Budget friendly. Canned tuna is one of the cheapest sources of protein per serving!
Ingredients
Let’s talk ingredients. You’ll find exact quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but I wanted to give you a bit of extra info right here:
- Tuna – I used wild-caught tuna steaks in water. Tuna in brine is fine as well, just use less additional salt. If you go for tuna in oil, omit the mayo.
- Eggs – Should be large and fresh. Eggs bind together all the ingredients. And, fresh eggs have firmer whites and yolks.
- Nutritional yeast or parmesan – I have tested the patties with both ingredients. Choose the one you prefer! Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and has a gently cheesy taste.
- Herbs – Dill and parsley add fresh and fragrant flavor.
- Capers – The saltiness of capers goes really well with tuna.
- Mayonnaise, mustard and lemon – makes the patties taste juicy and flavorful.
- Spices – We need salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Instructions
Let me show you how to make tuna patties. Here are the basic steps.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed method with ingredient amounts, timings and nutrition information.
STEP 1
Drain the tuna thoroughly and pat it dry on kitchen paper. Put it in a bowl and flake it well with a fork, so no big chunks remain. Small flakes help the cakes hold together better!
STEP 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Then, mix in all other ingredients until well-combined.
STEP 3
Stir through the tuna flakes.
STEP 4
Heat olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Use 3 tablespoons of mixture per patty. Fry on both sides until golden.
Katrin’s Top Tips
#1 Drain ALL THE LIQUID and pat the fish dry thoroughly. You don’t want it wet or the patties will fall apart.
#2 Flatten the patties into shape with the back of a fork and shape the edges to make them round.
#3 Fry the tuna cakes over medium heat. Don’t disturb them during frying. Flip with a large spatula.
Other Cooking Methods
In my opinion, a non-stick frying pan pan is the easiest and quickest way to make fried tuna patties. Here are more options:
AIR FRYER
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Arrange the tuna patties in the basket without touching. Spray generously with oil. Cook in the preheated air fryer at 360F / 180C for 10-12 minutes, turning half way.
OVEN
How to bake tuna patties: Preheat the oven to 180C / 360F. Scoop the tuna mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with oil. Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden.
Variations
FLAVOR TWEAKS
- Add paprika or cayenne pepper or chili flakes for a bit of heat
- Swap the capers for chopped olives or sundried tomatoes
- Stir in grated zucchini (squeeze out all liquid first)
- Use canned salmon instead of tuna
- Make tuna fritters: coat the patties in my keto bread crumbs
Serving Suggestion
SIDES
Tuna patties are wonderful with a crispy green salad. Think lettuce, rocket, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and anything else you enjoy in a salad.
They also go well with green beans, broccoli salad, zucchini or even sauteed kale.
TOPPINGS
I topped the patties in the images with a dressing made from Greek yogurt and chopped herbs.
Tartar sauce or the tahini dressing from my keto falafel would be a great alternative.
Or, enjoy them with my easy guacamole!
Recipe FAQs
Can I meal prep tuna patties?
You can make the mix the day before. Store it in the fridge overnight and cook the patties the next day.
Are these good as tuna burger patties?
Yes, although you would need 3 patties per burger as they are not big.
Can I make bigger patties with the recipe?
The recipe does not contain potato, flour or panko breadcrumbs. This makes the patties a little less sturdy than starchy tuna cakes. I recommend to keep the patties small so you can flip them easily.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.
You can also freeze tuna patties! Layer them between parchment paper or freeze in a single layer so they don’t stick together. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Fish And Seafood Recipes
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Recipe
Tuna Patties
These tuna patties are so delicious you’re going to start buying cans of tuna on a regular basis! My recipe is budget-friendly, packed with fresh, bright flavor and ready in just 20 minutes. Naturally low in carbs and gluten free.
Instructions
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Drain the tuna thoroughly and pat dry on kitchen paper. You don’t want it wet or the patties will fall apart. Place the drained tuna in a bowl and flake well with a fork, so no big chunks remain.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Then, mix in all other ingredients until well-combined. Last, stir through the tuna flakes.
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Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
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When the oil is hot, spoon the tuna mixture into the pan, making 3 mounds. Use 3 tablespoons of mixture per patty.
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Gently flatten the mounds with the back of a fork and shape the edges.
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Cook the patties until golden brown, about 4 minutes on the first side and 3 minutes on the second side. Repeat for remaining patties.
Notes
Net carbs per serving: 3.3g. Makes 2 servings of 3 tuna patties each.
A single tuna cake is 1.1g net carbs, 89 calories and contains 9.6g of protein.
Enjoy hot or cold, with a crunchy green salad or vegetables of your choice.
Option to top with a herby yogurt dressing, sour cream, guacamole or tomato salsa.
Store in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
A single tuna cake is 1.1g net carbs, 89 calories and contains 9.6g of protein.
Enjoy hot or cold, with a crunchy green salad or vegetables of your choice.
Option to top with a herby yogurt dressing, sour cream, guacamole or tomato salsa.
Store in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 3pattiesCalories: 267kcalTotal Carbohydrates: 6.5gProtein: 28.9gFat: 14.8gSaturated Fat: 2.3gFiber: 3.2gSugar: 0.2g
