Tuna Cakes Recipe: A Budget Dinner That Doesn't Taste Like One (20 Minutes, 8 Ingredients) by Ann Marie G. Halstead

'Tis the time of the year for budget-friendly recipes. Instead of salmon patties, why not try this easy tuna cakes recipe? You can have it on the table for your family in about 20 minutes. It's a budget recipe that is not lacking in the flavor department, plus you get the health benefits of tuna. The crispy tuna patties will be a hit with the family. Get ready for recipe requests!

The high-protein tuna cakes are made with tuna packed in water (drain it well!), garlic, onion, lemon juice, lemon zest, an egg, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise and grated Parmesan cheese. The mixture is shaped into patties and then breaded in breadcrumbs and Parmesan before being pan-fried to golden perfection. (Check out the health benefits of protein.)

Photo credit: all photos under license from BigStock

Serve this quick and easy crispy tuna cakes recipe with tartar sauce or remoulade sauce. Add a vegetable or grain and a salad, and you're all set for a wholesome, comforting family dinner. You could even use the tuna cakes to make sandwiches!

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 10 ounces (2 cans) tuna in water, drained
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup minced white onion or green onions
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Breading

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
• olive oil, for frying

Here's how to make it: 

1. Combine all the tuna cake ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well. Form into patties. (Add any fresh chopped up vegetables you like to the patties. Chop them small so they cook quickly. Try this recipe with canned salmon instead of tuna.)
2. In a shallow bowl, combine the breading ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 
3. Heat a little olive oil in a skillet. Coat the tuna cakes with the breadcrumbs. Fry the patties in the hot oil until browned on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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