These Simple Tuna Patties are definitely going to become a new staple around our house.
Anytime we eat tuna, I like to use yellow-fin tuna in water. If I wait for sales and then stock up, I can get it for around $1.14 per 5-ounce can. There are even cheaper varieties, but those tend to include unnecessary ingredients I want to avoid. This one only contains tuna, water, and salt. :)
Since we’re talking about Simple Meals on a Simple Budget right now, how about we do a little math story problem?
Laura needs three cans of tuna to make Simple Tuna Patties. Her tuna costs $1.14 per can. What is the cost of her tuna for this recipe?
This is math in the real world, Baby. It’s the answer to, “But when will I ever use this stuff in real life?” that we all asked back in our middle and high school days. Though I’ve still never used one lick of the Geometry and Alegebra 2 I worked so hard to learn in high school so I’m still a little bit bitter about that.
Well anyway, $3.42. The answer to my tuna math problem is $3.42.
I will admit that before trying these, I thought the idea of mashing tuna into patties and frying them sounded weird. So if you also saw the title of this recipe and got weirded out, let me assure you of how wonderful these taste! Every single person in my family loves these. They are easy, filling, delicious, and inexpensive. So how about another tuna story problem? This one is more complex. Prepare yourself.
Laura pays a minimum of $5.60 for one pound of grass-fed ground beef. If she makes hamburger patties for her family, she uses two pounds of ground beef. How much money does she save when making one recipe worth of Tuna Patties instead of hamburger patties?
Here, I’ll make it easy. Two pounds of burger = $11.20. $11.20 take away $3.42 is $7.78 and that is how much money I save when making these Simple Tuna Patties for my family’s lunch.
(I used a calculator to solve this problem because my high school math teachers are no longer the boss of me. Also, they told me I would use the sine, cosine, and tangent stuff in my future and that was a lie. So I’ll use my calculator if I want. And I will apparently go off on a tangent. So at least I’m using that one.)
Simple Tuna Patties
- 15-ounces canned tuna in water, drained
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons dried minced onions
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (I recommend palm shortening or refined coconut oil as these are both flavorless and remain stable at high temperatures.)
- In a bowl, stir together all ingredients except for the oil.
- Heat about 3 Tablespoons of oil in a skillet.
- Drop a large scoop full of tuna mixture into hot oil, pressing to flatten into a patty.
- Cook for about 2 minutes on each side or until both sides of the tuna patty is golden brown.
- Serve right away.

Here’s one more math story problem for you:
If Susie becomes a Simple Meals member for the tiny cost of $1.00 per week, receiving complete and easy meal plans, grocery lists, recipes, time-saving tips, and more, how happy is Susie every single week of her life? And how much time has Susie saved each week? And how much money has Susie saved? And how well does Susie’s family eat??
Well now, this one is a no-brainer. :) Join us here —>
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Wow Laura! I am so impressed with your simple meals that taste so good. I omitted the cheese and added some crumbled bread and an extra egg, these tasted so good.
Keep the simple meals coming :)
We all thought these were very tasty. Next time I will add more oil to the second batch. I only had tuna I had gotten at Costco and they were 7 oz. cans so I used two.
Tuna patties are super tasty. I’ve nevr made them with Parmesan cheese but will have to try. Give them a try with shredded cheddar…very tasty. Love your recipes!
These were so good! I made them as is and they were delish! Next time I might try a little lemon zest just to see how that tastes. Thank you for the recipe.