Okay, so, have you SEEN the tuna cakes craze on Pinterest?! Seriously, they’re EVERYWHERE. I’m Casey Mitchell, by the way, and I’m all about easy, flavorful food, and these little cakes totally caught my eye. But some of the recipes looked kinda complicated, you know? Like, ain’t nobody got time for that on a Tuesday night!
That’s why I HAD to create my own version – a super simple, super tasty tuna cakes recipe that anyone can whip up. And trust me, this one’s a winner. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s seriously delicious. Think crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Plus, it uses stuff you probably already have in your pantry. Because who wants to run to the store at 6 pm? Not me!
I swear, even my pickiest eaters (ahem, my kids) gobble these up. Get ready to make the best tuna cakes you’ve ever had!
Why You’ll Love This Tuna Cakes Recipe
Seriously, get ready to fall in LOVE with these tuna cakes! They’re just so darn convenient and yummy. Here’s why I think you’ll be obsessed:
Quick and Easy Tuna Cakes
Time is precious, right? That’s why you’ll adore how FAST these tuna cakes come together. We’re talking minimal prep and cook time. Boom! Dinner is served.
Simple Ingredients for Delicious Tuna Cakes
No fancy ingredients here! This tuna cakes recipe uses stuff you probably already have sitting in your pantry. Easy peasy!
Family Friendly Tuna Cakes
Trying to find something *everyone* will eat? These tuna cakes are a total winner with both kids and adults. Major mom (or dad!) win!
The Best Tuna Cakes Recipe: Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Nothing too crazy here, I promise. Just simple stuff that comes together to make some seriously amazing tuna cakes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tuna: Two 5-ounce cans of tuna. I usually go for tuna in water, but oil-packed works too! Just make sure you drain it REALLY well. Nobody likes soggy tuna cakes!
- Breadcrumbs: ½ cup. Panko breadcrumbs give these a nice, crispy texture, but regular breadcrumbs will work in a pinch.
- Egg: One large egg, lightly beaten. This helps bind everything together so your tuna cakes don’t fall apart.
- Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons. Don’t skimp on the mayo! It adds moisture and flavor.
- Red Onion: ¼ cup, finely chopped. Adds a little zing! You can use yellow onion if that’s what you’ve got.
- Old Bay Seasoning: 1 teaspoon. This is my secret weapon! But you can sub with your favorite seafood seasoning.
How to Make Tuna Cakes: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, get ready! This is where the magic happens. Follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on some seriously delicious tuna cakes in no time!
Preparing the Tuna Cakes Mixture
First things first, grab a bowl and let’s get mixing! Gently combine the drained tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, red onion, and Old Bay seasoning. Don’t go crazy stirring it all up – you just want everything to be *just* combined. Overmixing is a big no-no; it’ll make your tuna cakes tough, and nobody wants that!
Forming the Perfect Tuna Cakes Patties
Now, divide that tuna mixture into four equal portions. I like to use a spoon to make sure they’re roughly the same size. Then, gently form each portion into a patty, about ¾ inch thick. If the mixture feels too sticky, wet your hands a little – that’ll stop the tuna cakes from sticking to your fingers!
Cooking Your Tuna Cakes to Golden Perfection
Heat a skillet (non-stick is your friend here!) over medium heat. Once it’s hot, gently place the tuna cakes in the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown and heated all the way through. Keep an eye on ’em! You want that nice golden crust, but you don’t want to burn ’em. If they’re browning too quickly, just lower the heat a bit.
Tips for the Most Delicious Tuna Cakes
Want to take these tuna cakes from “good” to “OMG, these are amazing!”? Here are a few of my go-to tricks!
Don’t Overmix the Tuna Cakes Mixture
Seriously, I can’t stress this enough! Overmixing is the ENEMY of good tuna cakes. If you mix it too much, the tuna will get tough and rubbery. Just gently combine the ingredients until they’re *barely* mixed. Trust me on this one!
Use High Quality Tuna for Best Tuna Cakes
The better the tuna, the better the tuna cakes! I usually go for tuna packed in water to keep things light, but if you want a richer flavor, tuna packed in olive oil is the way to go. Just make sure you drain it really well!
Adjust the Seasoning in Your Tuna Cakes
Don’t be afraid to experiment with the seasoning! Old Bay is my fave, but you can use whatever you like. Taste the mixture before you form the patties and add more seasoning if needed. A little extra salt and pepper never hurts!
Tuna Cakes Variations: Customize Your Dish
Okay, so you’ve got the basic tuna cakes down. But let’s be real, sometimes you gotta mix things up, right? Here are a few fun ways to jazz up your tuna cakes and make ’em your own!
Spicy Tuna Cakes
Want to add a little KICK? Throw in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the tuna mixture. Yowza!
Mediterranean Tuna Cakes
For a taste of the Mediterranean, add some chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and a little crumbled feta cheese. Seriously, this is SO good!
Herby Tuna Cakes
Fresh herbs are always a winner! Mix in some chopped fresh dill, parsley, or chives for a burst of flavor. My favorite part is the smell!
Serving Suggestions for Your Tuna Cakes
Alright, so you’ve got these amazing tuna cakes…now what do you serve with ’em? My go-to is a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette. But honestly? They’re also killer with a dollop of tartar sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Or just eat ’em straight up! You do you!
FAQ About Making Tuna Cakes
Got questions about making these Pinterest trending tuna cakes? Don’t worry, I got you! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked all the time:
Can I freeze tuna cakes?
Yep, you totally can! You can freeze ’em before or after cooking. If you’re freezing them before, just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then pop them in a freezer bag. If you’re freezing them after, let them cool completely first. They’ll keep in the freezer for about 2-3 months. Such a simple tuna cakes hack!
What’s the best way to reheat tuna cakes?
Okay, so microwaving them works in a pinch, but honestly, they’re way better reheated in a skillet or oven. For the skillet, just heat a little oil and cook them for a few minutes per side until they’re heated through and crispy again. For the oven, bake them at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. This quick tuna cakes for weeknights idea will save dinner!
Can I use fresh tuna for tuna cakes?
Absolutely! If you’re feeling fancy, go for it! Just make sure you cook the fresh tuna completely before mixing it with the other ingredients. And keep an eye on the cooking time – fresh tuna will probably cook a little faster than canned. Enjoy this homemade tuna cakes ideas!
Nutritional Information for Tuna Cakes
Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist, and the nutrition info below is just an estimate. It’s gonna vary depending on the exact ingredients you use (like, different brands of mayo, you know?). So, take this with a grain of salt, okay? Just wanted to give you a general idea!
Enjoyed This Tuna Cakes Recipe?
Woohoo! I hope you loved these tuna cakes as much as I do! Now it’s YOUR turn! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you’re feeling extra awesome, give the recipe a rating. Oh, and don’t forget to snap a pic of your creations and share them on social media! Tag me @CaseyMitchellCooks – I wanna see your masterpieces!
Print
Disgustingly Easy Tuna Cakes: 6 Ingredients Only
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Easy tuna cakes recipe that’s trending on Pinterest.
Ingredients
- Tuna
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Mayonnaise
- Onion
- Seasoning
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Form into patties.
- Cook in a pan until golden brown.
Notes
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg