Description
This tuna patties recipe with Chili-Lime Pink Sauce delivers crispy edges, a tender interior, and a burst of flavor. It’s a family-friendly meal, taking simple pantry staples into an easy dinner idea on the table in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (142g each) chunk light tuna, packed in water, drained very well
- 0.5 cup (50g) Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp (30g) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tsp (5g) onion powder
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) garlic powder
- 0.25 tsp (1.25g) salt
- 0.125 tsp (0.6g) black pepper
- 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 cup (120g) mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) fresh lime juice
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) sweet chili sauce
- 0.5 tsp (2.5g) cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Tuna Mix: Start by thoroughly draining your tuna. In a medium bowl, gently flake the tuna. Add the egg, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined (overmixing can make your patties tough). The mixture should feel moist but hold its shape when pressed, taking about 2-3 minutes.
- Form and Chill Patties: Divide the mixture into 6-8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a uniform 0.5-inch thick patty. Chilling them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes makes them much easier to handle and helps them maintain shape during cooking.
- Cook Patties: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Carefully place the tuna patties in the hot oil, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until each side is beautifully golden brown and the patties are heated through. If your patties are falling apart during cooking, try adding 1-2 more tablespoons of breadcrumbs to the remaining mixture to firm it up slightly.
- Make Chili-Lime Sauce: While the patties are cooking, whisk together all the Chili-Lime Pink Sauce ingredients (mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, sweet chili sauce, and cayenne pepper) in a small bowl until smooth. The sauce will be a lovely light pink color and taste bright and zesty, taking about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve Hot: Transfer your crispy, hot tuna patties to plates. Generously drizzle or dollop with the vibrant Chili-Lime Pink Sauce.
Notes
For healthier eating, choose sustainably sourced tuna. If you need gluten-free tuna patties, swap Panko for almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers. If patties fall apart, add more breadcrumbs to the mixture. Patties can also be baked or air-fried.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
- Calories: 170 calories
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg