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Cottage Cheese Tuna Cakes Recipe

4.5 from 135 reviews

These Cottage Cheese Tuna Cakes are a quick, healthy, and delicious way to enjoy canned tuna. Combining creamy cottage cheese with flaky tuna, panko crumbs, and fresh herbs, these patties are pan-fried to golden perfection and make for a satisfying meal or snack. They’re easy to prepare, packed with protein, and versatile enough to customize with your favorite add-ins or herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained well
  • ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup finely chopped green onions
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Mix the tuna and cottage cheese: In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna and cottage cheese. Use a fork to break up the tuna and mix it evenly with the cottage cheese until you achieve a chunky yet creamy texture.
  2. Add egg, green onions, parsley, and seasonings: Crack in the egg, then stir in the finely chopped green onions, parsley if using, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until incorporated.
  3. Stir in panko breadcrumbs: Add the panko breadcrumbs to the mixture and stir well until the mixture holds together and forms a thick, cohesive batter suitable for shaping.
  4. Form the patties: Use your hands to shape the mixture into 6 equal-sized patties, about 2½ inches wide each, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
  5. Cook the cakes: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the patties carefully and cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes until a golden brown crust forms and the patties are firm to the touch.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Remove from the skillet and serve warm. These tuna cakes pair wonderfully with sauces like lemon-dill yogurt or spicy sriracha mayo and a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness.

Notes

  • You can substitute small-curd cottage cheese with ricotta for a slightly different texture.
  • For a low-carb variation, swap panko breadcrumbs with almond flour.
  • Add finely shredded carrots, chopped spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes to boost flavor and nutrition.
  • Try swapping parsley with other fresh herbs like dill or chives for different flavor profiles.
  • You can prepare and shape the patties ahead of time; store uncooked patties in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
  • Cook patties straight from the fridge, but they might need an extra minute per side to cook through.

Keywords: tuna cakes, cottage cheese tuna patties, quick tuna recipe, healthy tuna cakes, pan-fried tuna cakes, easy seafood cakes