These yummy Tuna Cakes with Jalapeño and Cilantro are low on carbs and calories and big on flavor!
Simple, easy tuna cakes from a can!
These tuna croquettes can also be gluten free and just as delicious if you swap out almond meal for the breadcrumbs. Plus, they are made from canned tuna so they’re totally budget friendly! I know you’re gonna love them as much as I do!This post contains affiliate links… read more here.
The one thing we all have in common is our need to fuel our bodies – all the time. It never ends. The sun will rise and many of us will stuff our face at least 3 times a day. Sometimes I get tired of eating. Wouldn’t it be easier if I could just hook up an IV and keep on stepping?
Well, maybe it’s not the eating that I get tired of but the preparing that sometimes wears me out. Can I get a woop woop!
If I really think about it, it’s not me so much but other “people” that live in my house that require, let’s say, more variety and really just substance.
And by substance I guess I mean protein! I know I’ve mentioned Sanderino’s carnivorous ways previously.
Truthfully, I swear I could eat a salad or soup for every meal, err day – yep – even breakfast. With a side of coffee of course!
When the B man travels it’s a bit exciting, I’m like – woohoo – roaster chicken and arugula salad every night!! Less time pulling feathers off chickens and more time checking out food blogs and watching Poldark!! Oh Poldark.
I must digress for a quick minute…I’ve mentioned Poldark before but I’m not sure I did it justice. And I’m concerned that you may be missing out on, well, one of the best TV series to come along since color TV. People for the love of PBS, Mr. Darcy, and Downton Abbey – click here for Season 1 of the most amazing, tea-drinking, family-feuding, horseback-riding show in the history of time
. ✨✨ Is my minute up? Is anyone keeping track of all the fantastic tips I shower you with?? #humblebrag.
Moving on.
These Tuna patties are a huge time saver!
Basically it comes down to the simple fact that life is busy. Our time is very precious, and a bit elusive. We all need quick, easy, inexpensive, delicious, recipes to make for easy weeknight dinners.
Like, for example, my Tuna Cakes. Think crab cakes but way cheaper, less seafoody and more tasty.
These Tuna Cakes are so easy and mouthwatering I just had to share the recipe with you. I’ve been making them forever. They are super quick to mix together and they take just 3 minutes a side to cook in my trusty non-stick pan
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In case you’re worried about them being spicy, when you remove the seeds and veins from the Jalapeño you’re basically removing the heat. After it gets cooked, it ends up with an earthy green pepper flavor. If you’re still not convinced just use a green pepper instead. You do you.
The greatest of all canned tuna recipes!
You may be surprised to know that you use canned tuna for these meaty biscuits. Yep – that’s the inexpensive part. Interestingly enough, people that don’t really care for seafood always like these Tuna Cakes because they’re related to our old friend that we all grew up on: tuna salad sandwiches!
If you didn’t have that experience, I’m sorry… there’s no time like the present, so get on the tuna train! First stop – Tuna Cake Towne! Let’s go!
PS: I like to serve my Tuna cakes over a simple Arugula or Kale Salad. If you’re a saucy kind of person you can make a simple Aioli for them with mayo and lemon juice. And if you’re a little spicy throw in some Sriracha and cayenne pepper and get turnt up!
Tuna Cakes Recipe
These yummy Tuna Cakes with Jalapeño and Cilantro are low on carbs and calories and big on flavor! If spicy isn't your thing, just omit the the Sriracha and cayenne.Tuna Cakes with Jalapenos and Cilantro
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information
Yield
14
Serving Size
1 tuna cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 112Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 42mgSodium 349mgCarbohydrates 3gProtein 11g Sriracha Aioli
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Yield
10
Serving Size
1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving
Calories 42Total Fat 3gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 2mgSodium 310mgCarbohydrates 2g
Christina says
These look amazing and I can’t wait to try them. Has any one tried freazing them before or after cooking them?
holly says
Hi Christina, Thanks so much! I’ve frozen these tuna cakes plenty times and they work great. I defrost them in the microwave, then heat them in a pan on medium heat on the stove with a spritz of oil for 2-3 minutes a side.
Gissele says
This is DELICIOUS and simple to put together.
My kids love it. Husband loves it. It’s a hit and we look forward to making it again.
I used 1 jalapeño and omitted cayenne pepper. Yum (just for husband and kids, still very enjoyable, not spicy at all. Just full of flavor!
Gissele says
I also used Protein flour, Arrowhead brand (organic chickpea and lentil flour) still, huge hit.
holly says
That’s great to know, Gissele! I haven’t tried that yet but will have to! Thank you!!
holly says
Hey Gissele, I love hearing that! When the whole family enjoys the same meal together that is a huge win! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback!
Tara says
Fabulous flavor!! Ever my non-tuna loving kids liked them. Really loose and hard to keep together though. Getting the patties in the pan and getting them flipped without falling apart was seriously tough. Maybe a little more breadcrumb?
Bryan says
Hi Tara, so glad your family liked them! We tried to minimize the filler but yes you could definitely add more breadcrumbs for binding which would make them easier to handle while cooking (if you are watching carbs or are gluten free you can substitute almond meal for the breadcrumbs). Let us know if you make a modification that works for you – we’d love to know how they turn out!
Alex says
I had the same problem, and although i added more bread crumbs, they didn’t hold together. So instead, i just put them into a preheated oven (400°F /200°C) and baked for 15-20 min. I formed them with my hands and squeezed a little. They turned out perfect! Really delicious, will definitely save it to my favorite recipes 🙂
Bryan says
Hi Alex, sorry to hear that but glad that baking them worked for you!! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Angela says
These are the bomb!!! It’s like gourmet tuna. The flavor is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!! Greatly appreciated.
holly says
Thanks so much, Angela! I’m so glad you enjoyed the tuna cakes! I love the flavor of these as well.
Judy holizna says
Can this be baked instead of fried?
holly says
Hey Judy, I haven’t tried this recipe baked but you could give it a try.
Nikki says
I tried them fried, and they turned out great! I baked them at 425 degrees for about 8 minutes.
holly says
Hey Nikki, that’s awesome!! Thank you!
Bridget says
Thanks for the baking suggestion. They turned out perfect.
Suzann says
Made these a couple weeks ago when my mom visited and they were so so good!! Made them again tonight but experimented with pepperoncinis instead of jalapeños and they are still delicious!! Also— I found that 1/3 cup was a bit too big for me so the second time I used a 1/4 cup and it’s perfect.
holly says
Thanks so much, Suzann! Pepperoncinis sound like a yummy swap! Good to know about the portion size. I appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
Jenn says
This looks great. Does it have to be canola mayo or can I use Olive oil mayo instead?
holly says
Thank you, Jenn! You can use any mayo you like.👌 They will be delicious!
Renee Robbins says
I can’t find anywhere how many patties are in a serving. Is it just 1?
holly says
Hi Renee, Sorry for the confusion. You are correct – one tuna cake is one serving.
Sharee says
Has anyone made these in an air fryer?
holly says
Good question! Not that I know of but maybe someone that has will chime in.
kathy says
Just tried in my power air fryer oven 370 degrees and about 8 mins each side. came out great
holly says
That’s great to know, Kathy! I haven’t worked with an air fryer much but I think that needs to change. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience!!
Liz says
Thank you! I came to the comment section specifically for tips on preparing them in the air fryer!
holly says
That’s a great idea, Liz! I’m going to have to give them a go in the air fryer next!
Richard Marquez says
I made these cakes today and I was amazed by the mixture of flavors I got from the onions, cilantro, and the jalipeno peppers and then more flavors from the aioli sauce . All together the flavors We got from these cakes was more than I could imagine.
Thank you for sharing your recipe. I still had some left over mixture and I’m certainly going to look forward to my dinner tomorrow. By the way, placing the cakes on a bed of arugula with the sauce mixed in was a nice way to finish my dinner.
Thank you so much
holly says
Hi Richard, it is all my pleasure! I agree with you that all those flavors combined makes an amazingly delicious combination. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback with me!
Rizi says
These are super tasty and wholesome. Making them again for dinner tonight.
holly says
I love hearing that, Rizi! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. They are one of my all time favorite recipes! So glad you’re enjoying them.
Andrea Passantino says
What is the mayo/cilantro mixture for? You give directions on it and then never mention what to do with it. Is this a sauce, the filling? So confused.
holly says
Hey Andrea, sorry this is so confusing for you. All of the ingredients for the tuna cakes get mixed together including the mayo/cilantro mixture. Then you form your cakes and cook them until browned and crisp. Hope that helps!
Ruby says
It goes in the tuna
Connie says
I think the 2nd mayo mix is for spoonine over top of tuna cakes as shown in the finished photo. 🙂
holly says
Yes, the second recipe is for the Aioli dip.
AMY says
My family and i have had the privilege of enjoying your recipe for tuna cakes in the past and are about to have them again tonight! They are absolutely delicious! THe flavors and texture are on point! I appreciate this recipe so much!! Yummy!!!!
holly says
Yayyy! I love hearing that, Amy! I’m so glad it’s become a repeat recipe in your house. Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to come back and share your feedback with me. I’m so grateful!
Rebecca McClure says
Hi,
Have you ever made half of this recipe and if so, what were your measurements for each?
Thanks in advance for your info. These look yummy and I can’t wait to try them.
holly says
Hi Rebecca! My recipe card has a feature where you can adjust the servings for yourself. Just click on the little blue number next to the word “servings:” in the recipe card, and make it the number of servings you would like it to be. That will adjust all of the ingredients for you. Thanks and enjoy!
audrey morris says
Hi Holly, just found your site and am excited to to spend time looking and trying out some of your recipes. I already like that u show peoples comments and most importantly respond to each and everyone. Can u please tell me where to locate your “recipe card” to change the # of servings. I cant seem to find where it is 🙁
Bryan says
Hi Audrey, thank you for commenting! With our current setup the recipe card doesn’t allow for changing the # of servings and seeing the resulting quantity of each ingredient. We are hoping to add this feature in the near future! Thanks for visiting and let us know what you think of these tuna cakes! 🙂 – H&B
Jamie Heaver says
These are amazing! One question. Do you think I could mix all this up ahead of time, pat out the patties and refrigerate them for a couple of days then cook them? TIA!
holly says
Hi Jamie! I think they would be ok for 1 day but probably not too much longer after that. I would recommend cooking them all at once them reheating them through out the week as you need them. Hope that helps!
Miranda says
Is there any way to subsitute the eggs?
holly says
Hey Miranda, I’ve heard of others using flaxseed as a binder. Here’s what I found to be an 1 egg equivalent… 1 tablespoon ground flax seed mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water; let stand 1 minute before using. Hope that helps!