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I want you to think of this recipe as a starting point, and then youโre free to add leftover vegetables and your familyโs favorite herbs and spices. At its base, this Tuna Patties recipe is made with 2 cans of tuna, mayo, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Modify it to your taste every time you make it!
I always keep canned tuna and breadcrumbs in my pantry to make this easy dinner that everyone loves! Itโs a great way to get fish into toddlers and kids, and if you always have eggs in the fridge, you have everything you need to make it!
I flavored these tuna patties simply with dried thyme and scallions (because I always have them in the fridge), but you can modify it to your taste! Donโt change the eggs, mayo or bread crumbs, but the rest can be modified.
Ingredients
- Tuna. Iโm going to get really controversial really quickly: I like canned tuna packed in oil, not water! Tuna packed in oil is so much more moist than the stuff packed in water! I know the calorie difference might bother some of you, so use whatever tuna you prefer.
- Eggs. Two large eggs. They bring moisture and richness to the patty and help bind it together, and no, you may not substitute anything else. Eggs are essential.
- Mayonnaise. One-third cup of mayonnaise also brings moisture to the patty and binds everything together. I have used regular Dukeโs mayo, olive oil mayo and kewpie mayoโall are great here!
- Dried Thyme. One-half teaspoon of dried thyme leaves are a nice touch, but you can use any of your favorite herbs. Sometimes I use fresh thyme from my garden, and fresh basil or dill is very welcome in the summer. If youโre using fresh herbs, use 3 times more than what the recipe calls for because dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Salt and Pepper. Start with one-half teaspoon of each and adjust to your taste.
- Scallions. Two scallions, thinly slicedโboth the white and green parts. Just trim off the root end and the top inch of the greens, and thinly slice up the rest. If you donโt have scallions, I have grated 1/4 of a raw onion on a microplane in their place with great results!
- Breadcrumbs. My preference is Panko bread crumbs because they produce the crunchiest crust. They also absorb and hold more moisture in the tuna patties. You need 3/4 cup because youโll use 1/2 cup in the filling and then sprinkle the other 1/4 cup on each side before frying.
- Oil. Whatever oil you like to fry with, you need about 1/3 cup of it. I usually sear my tuna patties with avocado oil or canola oil.
How to Make Tuna Patties
First, open and drain each can of tuna. Then, add the tuna to a bowl with the eggs, mayo, thyme, salt, pepper and breadcrumbs.
Mix everything together very well, and then use an ice cream scoop to portion out each fritter.
Sprinkle the reserved breadcrumbs over each patty to ensure they have a super crisp crust. This is optional, of course.
Heat the oil in a shallow pan, and fry on both sides until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces (we like ranch!).
What to Serve With Tuna Patties
I usually serve these tuna patties with a dipping sauce over a salad. Itโs my favorite healthy 30-minute dinner. I also have salmon patties, if youโre interested in using almond flour!
Recipe Variations
- Fish โ You can use canned salmon or canned tuna for this recipe.
- Herbs and Spices โ I called for dried thyme, but you can use parsley, basil, dill, or any herb you like. As for spices, smoked paprika is delicious, and so is garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Onion โ This recipe needs a small amount of onion for flavor. My first choice is two sliced green onions, but one-quarter of a white or yellow (non-sweet) onion is great, too!
- Add-Ins โ I have stirred leftover chopped bell pepper, finely diced roasted potatoes, and even shredded cheese into this mixture with great results.
Tuna Patties
Ingredients
- 2 7- ounce cans of tuna packed in oil or water
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 scallions white and green parts thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs divided use
- 1/3 cup oil for frying avocado or canola oil
Instructions
- First, open and drain as much water or oil as possible from the tuna cans. I like to press the lid back into the can, press down and flip the can over to drain it well.
- In a large bowl, add the drained tuna, eggs, mayo, thyme, salt, pepper, and scallions. Mix together very well.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs. Reserve the rest.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is sizzling when you drop in a few breadcrumbs, Use a small ice cream scoop to make uniform patties. Sprinkle some of the extra breadcrumbs on each side of the patty before placing it in the pan.
- Sear the patties until golden brown on the first side, flip and repeat. The patties will take 10-12 minutes to cook total.
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