Tuna quinoa patties are a healthy and satisfying meal, packed with protein & fiber. Fried to golden perfection easy for a weeknight meal!
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We love making these easy tuna quinoa patties, especially during Lent. They tend to go our go-to recipe. This works great for when you have some leftover quinoa that you need to use up! This recipe combines quinoa and canned fish to make the perfect dish.
I have made a variation of this recipe a few times. The kids actually really enjoy this as much as we do so it is a great family recipe as well. Salmon quinoa patties are pretty good too!
Because I have quinoa in my refrigerator often I was able to whip this up pretty quickly.
Whenever I make quinoa I just follow the directions on the back of the package and add a vegetable bouillon cube to give it a little flavor.
Then I just grab whatever ingredients i have that go well with the type of canned fish I am using and whalla you are almost finished!
These patties are really good with just a side salad and sliced cheese, or peas and potatoes or as a sandwich. (Which by the way the sandwich is really really good, says my daughter!)
HOW TO MAKE TUNA QUINOA PATTIES:
INGREDIENTS:
- Tuna: Tuna is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. I use my favorite canned tuna. Works great here!
- Quinoa: Quinoa is a grain that is high in protein and fiber.
- Egg: Egg bind the patties together.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs help to bind the patties together and they also add a bit of crunch.
- Lemon juice: Has a tart flavor that pairs well with tuna and quinoa, but keeps the tuna tasting fresh!
- Green onions: Green onions have a mild onion flavor that adds flavor to the patties.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is a healthy oil that is high in monounsaturated fats. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with many dishes.
DIRECTIONS:
- For these patties, you will basically add all of the into a bowl.
- Scoop them out, roll the, flatten them slightly and fry in oil.
NOTES & STORAGE:
** May have to add more oil as you go. The patties will soak some of it up.
** You can freeze for at least 15 minutes before frying.
**Make smaller patties, they hold up better while frying.
STORAGE: Tuna quinoa patties can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To freeze tuna quinoa patties, simply place them on a baking sheet and freeze them for 1 hour. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Tuna quinoa patties can be served on their own or in a variety of dishes. They can be served on a bun with your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, and avocado. They can also be served in a salad, or as the main dish with a side dish of air fryer Brussels sprouts!
I personally prefer to fry them with extra-virgin olive oil. The patties take on the flavor and leaves them tasting so good with the combination of the herbs and spices in them. I did not really like it when I fried them in vegetable oil.
One common mistake is not packing them well. If you ingredients are not combined well then they won’t stick together when you are frying them.
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Tuna Quinoa Patties
Tuna quinoa patties are a healthy and satisfying meal, packed with protein & fiber. Fried to golden perfection, easy for a weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 5 oz can tuna, drained
- 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cooked and cooled (about 1 cup uncooked)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs (Italian bread crumbs can be used, do not use panko)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Using a large skillet add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of pan and heat on medium.
- In the meantime combine tuna, quinoa, egg, bread crumbs, lemon juice, onion, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Scoop out, roll, and flatten into patties.
- Place patties in skillet and fry for 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. (You may have to do this in two batches.
- Place on paper towel to cool.
- Serve warm and ENJOY!
Notes
** May have to add more oil as you go. The patties will soak some of it up.
** You can freeze for at least 15 minutes before frying.
**Make smaller patties, they hold up better while frying.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 94Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 373mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice*
Queen of Quinoa
Thanks for linking to my recipe! These look great 🙂
thebittersideofsweet
Your welcome! They are really good!
Derek Traver
I was just in the store last night looking at two different kinds of quinoa! My brother was looking at recipes for stuffing bell peppers with quinoa and chicken, but I think I like yours better. What a coincidence that I happened to browse your blog today!
thebittersideofsweet
Glad you did! Hope you like the recipe!
ashley
Looks easy enough! I am loving quinoa lately…I’m new to it 🙂
thebittersideofsweet
Yes Ashley it is very easy!!
Deborah
These sound so great!! And so unique!
thebittersideofsweet
Thanks Deborah!
BruCrew Life
I keep seeing quinoa recipes…I think that means I need to branch out and give it a try! The tuna patties look scrumptious!!!
thebittersideofsweet
You definitely should! I am so glad I didn’t wait any longer to try them!
Amanda
I’ve been cooking with quinoa for a while now and this is my absolute favorite recipe!
Nancy P.
Yay! So glad you like them Amanda! It is one of my favorites too!
Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies
I made these tonight and we really enjoyed them! I’ve been having a hard time liking quinoa…I don’t like that earthy taste. But these patties I loved and will make them again soon! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Nancy P.
Asiya, so glad to hear you made them! They are one of my all time favorite recipes!Thanks!
Dana
I found this recipe while browsing for something new to do with some of my favourite ingredients, quinoa and tuna! I Just made them today, they are absolutely delicious! I will have them this week with salad and in wraps for lunch at work. These little patties are so versatile and delicious! I used panko crumbs because it was all I had, they added to the crispy goodness of the fried patties. I’ll definitely make these again in a bigger batch. Thank you so much for posting!!
Nancy P.
I am SO glad you found them Dana! I am actually making them this week! The panko crumbs sound great!
Michelle
Can you please baked these instead of frying? Thanks
Nancy P.
I am sure that is something you could try. I have not experimented with them baked yet but I did make them last week fried them just a little and them finished them off by baking them and they tasted great!
Michelle
Thanks a lot…will try them out for sure!! 🙂
Nancy P.
Thanks Michelle!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
This looks so easy for a weeknight dinner! I can’t wait to try it! 🙂
marcie
This is such a great idea for leftover quinoa — such a simple, satisfying meal, and they look really tasty, too! 🙂
Paris
Made these tonight and loved them! Although they didn’t roll into balls and some fell apart they were So tasty and had a nice crunch. I used red quinoa.. Also substituted rolled oats for breadcrumbs so maybe that’s why they didn’t really stick..? Idk. Great recipe nonetheless
Nancy P.
So glad you made them! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Melissa
I love this recipe but I do have a hard time making the ingredients stuck to form a patty. When cooking too they fall apart easily. What could I add to make them more sticky. I tried another egg but that didn’t seem to help at all. Also I liked adding dill, very yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
Jeaalyn
Any tips for getting the patties to stay shaped while cooking? I made these and another quinoa patty recipe and both times the patties fell apart. I just kind of fried them up as is and they are still delicious! I seem to have a problem forming quinoa unto patties!
Thank you!
Nancy P.
Hey Jesalyn, if the patties seem too dry and crumbly add more moisture like another egg to your mixture. If they seem too wet add a little more bread crumbs. If you have ever made meatballs I would said it should have the same consistency as that. Let me know if you have anymore questions! Thanks!
Jesalyn
Spelled my own name wrong the 1st time *smh*.
Rebecca
I ended up needing more egg, breadcrumbs and tuna. The patties didn’t stay together, regardless of what size I made them. Ended up coming out kinda like chicken fried rice. Still tasted good in the end.
Jane Simpson
Can you make this with salmon??
Nancy P.
You sure can! Search the blog for salmon patties and you will find that version as well! Thanks!
Karen
Question: Is it 1 1/2 cups COOKED quinoa to one can of tuna? Or is it 1 1/2 cups UNCOOKED, which will make lots of quinoa?
Alena
Thanks,
sharing tuna Quinoa patties
I tried it.It is good & tasty. Quinoa seeds are very healthy for a body
It has a rich amount of fiber, antioxidants, and iron
we provide the Organic Quinoa Seeds.so let’s start to buy Quinoa seeds at Nourish you
https://nourishyou.in/superfoods/quinoa-seeds/