This simple and flavorful meal is made with economical canned tuna. You can serve these Tuna Patties on a platter as a party appetizer, with a side salad for a light dinner, or serve them in a roll or bun for school lunches — your kids will love them.

tuna patties with avocado Crema on a vintage white platter with lemon slices and jalapeño on the side.

What are Tuna Patties?

Tuna patties are canned tuna, mixed with breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, spices—then you shape ’em into patties and fry ’em up until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside. The combination of lemon and diced jalapeños gives these tuna patties plenty of flavor. It’s like the tuna sandwich’s cool cousin who decided to shake things up a bit. Trust me, once you’ve had a taste, you’ll be hooked!

This recipe is very similar to my mom’s classic tuna salad, but made with albacore tuna and the addition of an uncooked egg and panko bread crumbs to bind the mixture.

Ingredients & Substitutions 

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

ingredients to make tuna patties - tuna, Panko, mayonnaise, eggs, cilantro, celery and lemon in a bowl
  • Solid White Albacore – Albacore tuna has a firm texture – it tastes fresh, delicious, and has a milder flavor than the solid or chunk light fish varieties. This canned tuna is packed with a great deal of lean protein, omega 3, vitamin B6, Niacin, and many essential minerals. It is truly an excellent product for your health.
  • Nonfat Greek yogurt or mayonnaise – Plain yogurt or Greek yogurt acts as a binder like mayo, but with more protein and less fat. I also love the tanginess it adds! Or use mayo for the familiar creamy flavor. Use a high-quality store-bought brand like Hellman’s/Best Foods.
  • Panko breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs for tuna patties provide a light and airy texture and creates a crispier exterior, ensuring each bite is perfectly crunchy and delicious.
  • Celery – I love having crunchy bits of earthy celery for crunch. 
  • Cilantro – A small handful of cilantro leaves adds color and flavor, but feel free to replace with parsley, or omit.
  • Jalapeño – Optional, but delicious if you like a little heat. I used fresh jalapeños, but feel free to use pickled jalapeños.
  • Onion – I generally use slightly sweet and beautifully magenta red onion, but white or yellow onion will also work.
  • Egg – The egg is crucial for binding the mixture together! Plus the egg adds an extra dose of protein.
  • Lemon juice – For a touch of brightness. Feel free to replace with fresh lime juice.
  • Spices: Basic seasoning will be needed, such as salt and black pepper.
  • Olive oil – A drizzle of olive oil or your favorite cooking oil will be needed to light fry tuna patties.

How to Make Tuna Paties

Step 1: Mix Ingredients. Combine tuna, yogurt or mayo, breadcrumbs, celery, cilantro, jalapeño, onion, egg, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Step 2: Form Patties. Scoop 1/3 cup of the mixture and shape it into a patty. Lightly coat each patty with breadcrumbs.

tuna salad mixture in a teal scalloped bowl and a lemon half on the side on a Mexican textile
tuna patties formed and on a black plate on a Mexican white runner

Step 3: Cook Patties. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Gently place the patties in the pan and cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

Step 4: Serve. Pair your delectable tuna patties as a sandwich between two slices of bread or serve them as an appetizer with Avocado Lime Crema, Chimichurri Sauce, Tomatillo Avocado Salsa, tartar sauce, ketchup, mayo, or hot sauce for extra flavor!

Watch this video to see how easy these tuna patties come together.

tuna patties lightly pan fried in a non-stick skillet
close up of a sandwich with a tuna patty on an artisan roll

Expert Tips & Tricks

Coat with extra breadcrumbs: Coating lightly in additional bread crumbs and refrigerating the patties right before frying keeps their shape.

Make ahead: These tuna patties can be made ahead of time or even frozen after frying. They are a great option for a delicious lunch or a light dinner.

Optional Variations 

Bake instead of frying: Rather than lightly frying these tuna patties you can bake them in the oven. Simply arrange prepared tuna patties on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake in 375 degrees F oven for about 18 to 20 minutes.

Serving & Topping Suggestions 

Place tuna patties on a platter as an appetizer, serve with a side salad for a light dinner, or place a patty between a roll or bun for a delicious school lunch — your kids will love them.

Pair tuna patties with Avocado Lime Crema, Chimichurri Sauce, Tomatillo Avocado Salsa, tartar sauce, ketchup, mayo, or hot sauce.

Storage & Heating Instructions 

Refrigerate: These tuna cakes can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to four days. They make for a quick and easy lunch or light dinner on a busy day.

Freeze: Cool cooked or baked tuna patties completely. Arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Next, remove from the sheet and place in a plastic freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge and serve cold or reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep tuna patties from falling apart?

Including an egg in your tuna patty mixture provides an extra layer of assurance that everything will hold together nicely.

What is tuna patties made of?

Think of tuna patties as the seafood twist on a classic burger; crafted with canned tuna, they’re bound together with egg, breadcrumbs, and seasoned to perfection for an extra kick of flavor, then fried until beautifully golden brown.

What do you eat with tuna patties?

These versatile patties are perfect nestled in slider or burger buns, artisan rolls, or even tucked into a pita. Serve them over pasta, rice, or grain bowls for a hearty meal. For entertaining, serve tuna patties as appetizers at your next fiesta!

tuna patties on a serving tray ready to serve as appetizers

Love tuna? Check out these other tuna recipes:

Have you made these tuna patties? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment below to let me know how they turned out! To get more Muy Bueno recipes delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my email newsletter.

tuna patties with avocado Crema on a vintage white platter with lemon slices and jalapeño on the side.

Tuna Patties

5 (3 ratings)
This simple and flavorful meal is made with economical canned tuna. You can serve these Tuna Patties on a platter as a party appetizer, with a side salad for a light dinner, or serve them in a roll or bun for school lunches — your kids will love them.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients

Creamy Avocado Sauce

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt or light sour cream
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 jalapeño (optional), chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt to taste

Tuna patties

  • 2 5-ounce cans tuna, packed in water (recommend Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore), drained
  • 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions 

Creamy Avocado Sauce

  • Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • For a thinner sauce, add more lemon juice.

Tuna patties

  • In a medium bowl, combine together the tuna with yogurt or mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, celery, cilantro ,jalapeño, onion, egg, lemon juice, salt and pepper. 
  • Scoop 1/3 cup of tuna mixture and form into one patty and lightly coat with 1/2 tablespoon bread crumbs. Continue with remaing mixture and bread crumbs to make approximately 8 total patties.
  • Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet on medium-low. Gently place the patties in the pan, and cook until nicely browned, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
  • Serve with creamy Avocado Lime Crema, Chimichurri Sauce, Tomatillo Avocado Salsa, tartar sauce, ketchup, mayo, or hot sauce for extra flavor!

Video

Notes

  • I used albacore tuna in water. You may use any canned tuna or salmon, just drain the oil or water.
  • For firm patties, place patties on a tray and chill for an hour before cooking.
  • These tuna patties can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheat in the microwave when ready to eat. You can freeze for 1 month.
  • Rather than frying, these tuna patties can bake at 375 degrees F for about 18 to 20 minutes.
Calories: 109kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 509mg, Potassium: 180mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 157IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 44mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: All Recipes, Appetizer, Entrees, Lent, seafood
Cuisine: American, Mexican

Photography by Jenna Sparks.
Originally published: August 2020.