Goals I set for myself in the kitchen this year include cutting down on our monthly grocery bill, going meatless twice per week (thank you, Avocado Egg Salad), and eating seafood two to three times per week. The meatless meal part has been easy—if you need some suggestions, you can check out the vegetarian section of my recipe index—but seafood portion has been harder, especially since I live in landlocked Wisconsin. Good-quality, fresh seafood, while it’s certainly available, is fairly expensive, and it still feels like more of a splurge versus something to be enjoyed several nights a week. Then I remembered an important ingredient that was a staple in my pantry my first few years out of college—canned tuna.
About These Tasty Tuna Cakes
I know what you are thinking: canned tuna? This is a food blog, and she is suggesting canned tuna? And the answer is yes. Yes, I absolutely am. Canned tuna (just like canned salmon in Salmon Croquettes) is an incredibly easy, healthy, and budget-friendly way to enjoy seafood. It’s low in fat, high in protein, and, thanks to recipes like these avocado tuna cakes, it’s delicious too! Now, I will say that not all canned tuna is created equal. Like in my Tuna Pasta Salad, you want to look for tuna that’s meaty, comes in good-sized chunks, and that (despite being from a can) tastes relatively fresh. If you feel hesitant about canned tuna, avocado tuna cakes are a great place to start. Just like this Shrimp Burger, they’re crispy on the outside, moist and creamy on the inside, and include plenty of fresh ingredients to keep them bright and light. And if you already regularly rely on canned tuna as a fast, healthy way to get your protein? You are going to love these baked tuna cakes too!
Avocado Tuna Cakes—A Nutritional Powerhouse
The combo of avocado and tuna provides double the source of omega-3s (which are part of the reason the U.S. 2016 Dietary Guidelines advise Americans to eat two to three servings of seafood per week), and it makes the tuna cakes extra filling and juicy too. (These Salmon Burgers are also a great source of omega-3s.) A splash of lime, handful of cilantro, and dash of hot sauce give the patties a zippy Southwest flair. Finally, because the tuna patties are baked, there is very little clean-up, AND the entire recipe can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. We have a keeper! (Not feeling tuna? Try this Salmon Patty Recipe!)
How to Serve These Tuna Cakes
On a Bun. Ben had his tuna cakes burger-style on a pretzel bun topped with Greek yogurt and more avocado and salsa,On Greens. while I preferred mine on top of greens. I warmed up the leftovers the next day with cheese.With Fries. A side of Crispy Baked Fries, Grilled Sweet Potato Fries, or Parmesan Parsnip Fries would all go well with tuna cakes (or this Italian Tuna Salad).
No matter how you enjoy them, these easy avocado tuna cakes are a simple, tasty way to introduce more seafood into your diet—and to land a healthy meal on the table more quickly tonight.
