These fish cakes made with canned tuna taste like a gourmet restaurant crab cake, so if you love crab cakes, you are in for a treat! And…they are cheap!

tuna fish cakes
fish cakes

Fish Cake Introductions

These tuna fish cakes are especially scrumptious when paired with a special sauce, like a chipotle aioli! (The sauce definitely makes it.) A few other factors that make this fish cake recipe a new favorite and regular are that it’s easy, quick, and cheap. The cost of living is so high these days, so it’s nice to have a recipe that balances out the budget a bit while still eating like a king.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “canned tuna? yuck!”. However, you need to trust me and dare to dabble! Like most people, I cringe at the smell of canned tuna, so we’re on the same side here. Once you get the fish cake mixture going and add the spices and lemon, you won’t smell the tuna smell anymore! The smell transforms into something good, and once the fish cakes are cooking in the pan, it actually makes your home smell delicious.

Pro prep tip: Toss the tuna cans in a small waste bag that you can bring out to the trash right away! The smell will be out of your house in a flash!

What To Serve With Fish Cakes

Moving on, you may be wondering what to pair with the fish cakes. These fish cakes are super versatile and will go with just about any sides you’d like! I would recommend serving with salad and some form of potato – roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, french fries, or tater tots would all be yummy options! (I am drooling at the thought of tater tots dipped in the chipotle aioli too.)

Let’s get to making those fish cakes!

fish cakes

These Fish Cakes Will Make You Love Canned Tuna!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Fish Cakes

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pan with Lid
  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Chopping Board
  • Utensils

Ingredients
  

  • 3 Cans Canned Tuna (Solid White Albacore)
  • No Salt Added Breadcrumbs I buy no salt added to eliminate unnecessary sodium!
  • Lemon Juice I just used the little lemon juice bottle that's in the shape of a lemon, but you can certainly use fresh lemon if you prefer!
  • 2 Eggs

Produce

  • Fresh Dill I also recently discovered you can use the jarred dill in the spice aisle. I've tried both ways now, and it tastes just as good!
  • Baby Spinach

Condiments and Oil

  • Dijon Mustard
  • Mayo
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Spices

  • Ground Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Onion Powder
  • Trader Joe's "21 Seasoning Salute" Spice You can use any seasoning mix of your choice. I just LOVE this TJ's blend, and it does not have salt.

Instructions
 

  • Drain canned tuna and add to mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the chunks into a finer texture.
  • Add all of your spices.
  • Chop up and add fresh dill. (Add an amount that you feel is appropriate! I don't really measure. Maybe a little less than palm size amount?) – Or use the jarred dill from the spice aisle.
  • Chop up a small amount of baby spinach without stems. (This is a great way to use up spinach in your fridge. Just throw in what you have!)
  • Squirt in a bunch of lemon juice!
  • Squirt in a bunch of dijon mustard! (No measuring needed – just eyeball. Maybe 1.5 tablespoons?)
  • Add mayo (maybe 1.5 tablespoons?)
  • Add 2 cracked eggs.
  • Slowly add breadcrumbs and mix using the fork to work the texture, and keep adding more breadcrumbs until the mixture seems like the right consistency. (Similar consistency to how you would be making meatballs!)
  • When the mixture is ready, form patties and lay them out on the cutting board.
  • Add a good layer of olive oil to your large lidded pan and turn heat to medium. (You're lightly frying these fish cakes, so put a full coating of oil in the pan, but not an obscene amount.)
  • Once the oil is heated, add the patties into the pan and close the lid again.
  • Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side.
  • Bon appetit! Serve with a yummy sauce like chipotle aioli.
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If you try this fish cakes recipe, let me know on Instagram by tagging me in a story or post! You can follow me @dabbledaybook for updates on more content like this (I made a recipe reel of this recipe, which was so fun to film!). It always makes me happy when I find out somebody tried a Dabble Daybook recipe and they enjoyed it.

By the way, I’m sharing a photo below of the sauce I’ve been using if you need ideas. Sometimes it can be so hard to find the perfect sauce! I purchased it at Market Basket, a grocery store in New England.

cooking fish cakes
canned tuna recipe
fish cake sauce

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