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Tuna Patties Recipe

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Tuna patties are a classic Hawaiian local style dish made with eggs, tuna, and some aromatics. All you need is 15 minutes for a perfect quick, easy, and budget friendly meal to feed your family.

tuna patties and rice on a black plate

What are tuna patties?

Tuna patties or tuna tortas is a Portuguese dish made popular in Hawai’i during the plantation days. The classic Portuguese dish was made using leftover meat and was a way to stretch meals and decrease food waste.

Various ethnicities came to Hawai’i in the late 1800s and early 1900s to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations. At lunch everyone would gather together and share their favorite dishes.

As many other dishes in Hawai’i, this dish developed a local twist on it during the plantation days. 

Hawai’i’s take on these fried patties are made with tuna, eggs, and various aromatics. You can make it thick like a burger or on the thinner side like an omelette.

tuna patty ingredients

Tuna patty ingredients

  • Tuna
  • Eggs
  • Shoyu
  • Green onion
  • Garlic
  • Panko
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking oil of choice

Are tuna patties keto?

Tuna is a great source of protein and an awesome keto option.

Are tuna patties gluten free?

This recipe is not gluten free, however omit the panko and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy gluten free dish.

tuna patties cooking in a pan

Can this dish be made ahead of time?

The great thing about this dish is it can be made ahead of time. You can mix the tuna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. You can also precook it and store it for 2-3 days.

Can you freeze tuna patties?

The other great thing about this dish is that it is freezer friendly. Store the cooked patties in the freezer for 2-3 months.

How to reheat?

Defrost patties in the refrigerator overnight or defrost in the microwave. The reheat on the stove or wam up in the microwave.

tuna patties on a serving tray

What to serve with these fried tuna patties?

  • Steamed, sticky white rice (a Hawai’i favorite)
  • Hawaiian style macaroni salad
  • Between two pieces of bread for a delicious sandwich
  • Keep it low carb and enjoy as a lettuce wrap

Other great seafood dishes

How to make tuna patties?

  1. To a medium size bowl add tuna, eggs, shoyu, green onion, and garlic. Mix until well combined.
  2. Next add panko to the mixture and mix until well combined.
  3. Set a frying pan over medium high heat and add your cooking oil of choice.
  4. Once the pan has heated up add a scoop of the mixture creating a patty shape. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side.
  5. Serve warm and ENJOY!
tuna patties and rice on a black plate

Tuna Patty Recipe

Relle Lum
Tuna patties are a classic Hawaiian local style dish made with eggs, tuna, and some aromatics. All you need is 15 minutes for a perfect quick, easy, and budget friendly meal to feed your family.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Local
Servings 5 -6 patties
Calories 223 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 6 ounce can of tuna
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon shoyu
  • 1 tablespoon sliced green onion
  • 2-3 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons panko
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking oil of choice

Instructions
 

  • To a medium size bowl add tuna, eggs, shoyu, green onion, and garlic. Mix until well combined.
  • Next add panko to the mixture and mix until well combined.
  • Set a frying pan over medium high heat and add your cooking oil of choice.
  • Once the pan has heated up add a scoop of the mixture creating a patty shape. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side.
  • Serve warm and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 20gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 206mgSodium: 292mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
Keyword Hawaii food, hawaiian style food, keeping it relle, tuna patties, tuna patty, tuna tortas
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By on November 16th, 2020

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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16 thoughts on “Tuna Patties Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    This is MyHubbyz childhood all-time favorite that My mother-in-law made for them as keiki and also for Our keiki. Mahalo for sharing…

    Reply
  2. Have never made tuna patties until now, and I’m so glad that I did! This is a great, easy, flavorful recipe that comes together in no time. The ingredients are pantry staples in my house, and this dish will be my go-to when I need a quick meal for my family.

    Reply
  3. Aloha! My daughter lives on Molokai and I’m in the mainland. I’m always saying how much I miss the food back home. We share recipes, she gives me the hawaiian recipes and I trade with some soul food recipes from the N.East (Florida). But she told me to look you up online because you had some good recipes. So far I’ve found some ono ones, like the tuna patties. Lol! That’s my hannah buddah days dish. Mom made them all the time for breakfast,lunch, and dinner. And they are ono when cold too. Mahalo for sharing some good memories.

    Reply
  4. I made it twice. The first time following your recipe step by step. The second time I substituted gluten free flour for the Panko and added chopped onions and celery. It was delicious both times! This dish reminds me of my grandmother who used to make it for my bento school lunch. Thanks Aunty Relle!

    Reply

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