Easy Tuna Patties Recipe – All Day I Dream About Food

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tuna Patties are one of my family’s favorite dinners. Crispy on the outside and tender the inside, it’s a healthy meal in less than 30 minutes!

When you’ve had a busy day and don’t know what to make for dinner, I highly recommend these Lemon Dill Tuna Patties. They’ve become a staple in our house, and with good reason. It’s a healthy dinner on auto-pilot.

And it’s my way of getting some healthy fish into my kids without complaint. They love tuna salad and we make it often. But let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting meal in the world.

A few weeks ago, as I pulled out a few cans of tuna from the cupboard, I nearly put myself to sleep. The thought of just mashing up some tuna with some mayo and a sprinkle of salt and pepper bored me to tears. I needed to do something different with that flaky fish, just to shake things up a bit.

Enter these delicious tuna cakes. Or tuna burgers. Or tuna patties. Whatever you want to call them, they made our dinner more interesting and enjoyable.

Be sure to check out my recipe for Keto Crab Cakes too!

You will love this healthy recipe

We all need a few easy recipes in our repertoire that please the whole family. That’s no easy task for any of us with multiple children.

This tuna patties recipe checks all the boxes for my people. It’s ready in less than half an hour, it has wonderful flavor, and it’s incredibly healthy. With 23g of protein and only 2g of carbs per serving, I know I am getting good nutrition into all of us.

And it’s an incredibly versatile recipe too. Want to change up the flavors? Try adding some Tex Mex spices and cheddar cheese. You can cook them in a pan or in the air fryer. And you can make them a day or two in advance.

Ingredients you need

• Canned tuna: We get big packs of Wild Planet sustainable tuna at Costco, which we keep on hand at all times for easy meals.
• Almond flour: This acts gives the tuna patties some structure.
• Green onion: Fresh green onion adds flavor and color.
• Dill: I recommend fresh dill but if you only have dried, try 1 teaspoon.
• Lemon: This recipe uses both the zest of the lemon as well as some juice.
• Mayonnaise: Mayo adds moisture and a bit of tanginess.
• Eggs: Egg helps bind the tuna patties together.
• Pantry staples: Salt, pepper, cooking oil.

Step by Step Directions

Expert Tips

Make sure to drain the tuna very well. If the tuna patties have too much liquid, they will be more prone to falling apart.

A little almond flour helps give them more structure. If you need to be nut-free, try using some sunflower seed flour.

Form them firmly by hand into nice even patties about ¾ inch thick. They shouldn’t be more than 3 to 4 inches in diameter. They are easier to flip when they aren’t too big.

I recommend a good non-stick skillet for this recipe. Flip the tuna patties carefully by wiggling your spatula underneath. Once they are cooked well on one side, they hold together nicely.

Don’t need 8 tuna cakes? You can easily make a half batch!

Frequently Asked Questions

More healthy low carb fish recipes

Pecan Crusted Salmon Recipe

Pecan Crusted Salmon is an easy, elegant, and healthy dinner recipe. The crunchy nut topping complements the tender, flaky fish perfectly. Everyone will be begging for seconds!

GET THE RECIPE

Hearty Keto Seafood Chowder

This rich and creamy keto seafood chowder recipe is a healthy comfort food meal. Make it with clams or with white fish. Either way, it’s an easy low carb dinner recipe that takes less than 40 minutes, start to finish.

GET THE RECIPE

Baked Shrimp Recipe

This succulent Baked Shrimp has become a new family favorite! With plenty of garlic and Parmesan, it might just be the easiest keto dinner recipe ever. Ready in 15 minutes or less.

GET THE RECIPE

Tuna Patties Recipe

Tuna Patties are one of my family’s favorite dinners. Crispy on the outside and tender the inside, it’s a healthy meal in less than 30 minutes!

Print
Pin
Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: tuna burgers, tuna cakes, tuna patties

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 patties

Calories: 215kcal

Ingredients

• 4 5-ounce cans tuna drained
• ½ cup almond flour
• 2 medium green onions, chopped white and light green parts only
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoon avocado oil

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients except the avocado oil until well combined.

• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Form each into patties about ¾ inch thick and place on a waxed paper lined tray.

• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add half of tuna patties and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3 to 4 minutes.

• Carefully flip over and cook the other side another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and repeat with the remaining oil and patties. 

• Top with mayo, lemon, and capers, if desired. 

Notes

Air Fryer Instructions: Spray or brush the air fryer rack with oil. Brush melted butter over both sides of the tuna patties and place on the rack. Air fry at 350F for 10 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through cooking.
Storage Information: Store the patties in a covered container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for several months. 

Nutrition Facts

Tuna Patties Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 patty)

Calories 215
Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 23g46%

Iron -56mg-311%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.