This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These easy Tuna Patties are crispy, golden brown, and packed with flavor. With simple ingredients like canned tuna, bell pepper, onion, and Old Bay seasoning, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time. Plus, they’re perfect for meal prep or an easy weeknight dinner. Serve them with homemade tartar sauce, and you’ll have a meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Tuna Patty Recipe
This Tuna Patty recipe is a great way to transform a humble can of tuna into a flavorful and satisfying dish. It’s an easy dinner option that doesn’t skimp on taste. Whether you’re a fan of tuna cakes, tuna burgers, or just love trying new tuna recipes, these patties are sure to become a favorite. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the perfect way to use up those cans of tuna in your pantry. Plus, they’re kid-friendly and make for excellent leftovers.
I’ve been making these tuna patties for a while now and they never get old! I usually make a double or triple batch of these to store in the fridge and eat for a quick lunch or high protein snack.
Ingredients Needed for Tuna Patties
- Canned Tuna: Opt for chunk light tuna or albacore tuna for the best texture.
- Large Egg: Helps bind the tuna mixture together.
- Saltine Crackers: Crushed finely to add a nice crunch.
- Red Bell Pepper: Petite diced for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Onion: Petite diced to add flavor.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Adds that classic seafood seasoning kick (paprika, celery salt, and a dash of garlic powder).
- Flat Leaf Parsley: Fresh parsley, chopped for a burst of freshness.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
- Butter: For frying the patties.
- Tartar Sauce: For serving. Use your favorite store bought tartar sauce or make my homemade tartar sauce.
Variations
- Fresh Tuna: Cooked and flaked fresh tuna can be used in place of canned tuna.
- Breading: Use fresh bread crumbs, Panko bread crumbs or Ritz Crackers instead of Saltines.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute saltine crackers with almond flour to make these gluten free.
- Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of curry powder to the tuna mixture.
- Different Herbs: Swap parsley for green onions, or fresh dill.
- Lemony: Add some fresh lemon zest to the tuna mixture before frying, and drizzle with fresh lemon juice just before for serving.
- Cheesy: Mix in some grated parmesan cheese.
- Air Fryer: Cook in an air fryer for a healthier option.
How to Make Tuna Patties
For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step by step instructions for making these simple tuna patties:
1. Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together the tuna (drained from the liquid in the can), egg, crushed crackers, bell pepper, onion, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Combine until just combined, don’t over mix!
2. Form Patties
Shape the tuna mixture into 4-inch diameter flat patties. Place formed patties on parchment paper to prevent sticking before frying.
Pro Tip: For easier handling, refrigerate the tuna mixture for 30 minutes before forming patties. (optional)
3. Preheat Skillet
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt half the butter.
4. Fry Patties
Fry the tuna patties for about 5 minutes on each side, until crispy and golden brown. Serve hot with tartar sauce (optional).
Storage + Make Ahead Directions
Store cooled to room temperature patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or the air fryer to retain their crispiness.
Make Ahead
Prepare the patties and store them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking.
Freezing
You can freeze the uncooked patties. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Cook from frozen or thaw in the fridge before frying.
More Tasty Tuna Recipes to Try!
This Tuna Patties Recipe is an easy, delicious way to enjoy canned tuna. Perfect for meal prep, it’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste. The printable recipe card is below! Have a great day, friends! 🙂
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Tuna Patties Recipe
Ingredients
for the patties–
- 14 oz tuna two 7 oz cans
- 1 large egg
- 4 saltine crackers crushed fine
- 1/2 small red bell pepper petite diced
- 1/4 cup onion petite diced
- 1/2 teaspoon old bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley fresh, chopped
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- tartar sauce for service
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl just until the mixture starts to come together.
- Form into approximately 4 inch in diameter flat patties.
- Preheat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Melt half of the butter.
- Fry patties for about 5 minutes on each side, or until crispy and browned. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
- Serve immediately with tartar sauce.
If you’re fighting diarehha can you have tuna with a little tarter sauce?
Could you sub bread crumbs for the saltines and if so how much?
Did these tonight and loved them, do you think that using this same combination but with crab would work?
I don’t see why not!
I have made these a couple of times, and they are really good and easy! A great, protein and veggie filled lunch 🙂
OMG! My mouth is so watering as I read this recipe and I will be fixing these for dinner tonight! We used to make some that we wrapped in foil and could freeze and then bring out and bake and they were over the top and I keep hoping to find my mothers recipe and if so will share. You just have THE BEST recipes!
Hope all goes well with the health issue.
These patties sound good. Thanks
Yum again. I don’t want to worry you, but please take your son to the doctor for a check-up. Could be his eyes.
Yum! I’ll be trying these SOON! And BTW – have you seen the tuna in cans that ISN’T packed in water or oil? It’s really fantastic! All tuna and nothing to drain. I think either Bumblebee or Chicken of the Sea makes it. I’ve found it at our local Cash & Carry (URM).
Hope you’re feeling better SOON!
Could these be baked instead of fried?
They could, but it will take longer to heat the oven and then bake than it will to heat your non-stick fry pan! If you’re worried about the amount of fat (1 TBL divided between 9 patties really isn’t that much!) just don’t use it. The fat is more to help promote browning and contribute a little flavor.
I’m new to the gastric bypass diet.. I was told that I need to avoid carbs (obviously) but I am curious if the crackers in this recipe are absolutely necessary, or if I could replace them with something else?
If you don’t eat carbs (ie: any other grain products) with this, the few crackers that help “bind” these together shouldn’t be a problem. Avoid generally means that if at all possible don’t eat, but occasionally, and in very small quantity it should be fine. If a serving size was say, 2, along with a nice salad or roasted vegies, you should be fine because you’ll be getting only slightly less than 1 saltine cracker per serving.
Made these for the first time the other night, and my husband and I loved them! My husband, who doesn’t usually care about tartar sauce, really liked this version. Am adding this recipe to my file.
Crab cakes are one of my all-time favorite foods and I have to admit I was skepical about tuna cakes but I tried this for lunch last Wed after seeing your post and they were awesome! I served them on Hawaiian rolls with some tartar sauce (I used store-bought) and a roma tomato slice. Even my husband (who barely tolerates tuna) said this recipe was a keeper! Thanks!
Tried these tonight and they were great! My husband loved them too!!
I hope you feel better soon! I love these! Im always looking for new ways to eat tuna..definitely giving these a try! thank you!
Those sound fantastic, and I absolutely LOVE tartar sauce!! I used to dip fries in it when I worked at DQ 🙂
Oh yum! I love a quick and delicious recipe like this, can’t wait to try it. So sorry to hear you were in the ER, that always sucks 🙁 hope you feel better!
Wow – these look wonderful! I love crab cakes – and I never thought to use tuna in place of the crab – can’t wait to try this out 🙂 Thanks!!
I made these tonight for supper! Used white albacore tuna in water. They were excellent! The sauce was good too! Will definitely do this again! Thanks!
Look Good would like to try.
These look delish! Wondering about nutritional information? Am I just not seeing it somewhere? Get well soon!
What is your favorite tuna??? I can never pick the good one!
As far as I’m concerned , most Tunas are fine…However…I don’t like Bumble Bee Tuna! very “fishy”. Just my opinion 🙂
Oh no, I hope you feel better soon! This tuna has made me feel better, love this recipe 🙂
I hope you get it figured out too!
Ohhhh no. I hope they figure it out soon for you 🙁
These look great.
I LOVE a quick, protein packed meal like this! I am always looking for creative ways to use canned tuna, so this is perfecto! Pinned