Lemon-Dill Tuna Patties with Homemade Aioli Recipe
This Tuna Patties recipe features flavorful, crispy patties made with canned tuna, fresh herbs, and a tangy homemade aioli. Perfectly pan-fried to golden perfection, these patties make a delicious lunch or dinner served warm with optional aioli or your favorite condiments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 small patties, serves 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Tuna Patties
- 2 (5-oz) cans tuna packed in water, drained well
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs, divided
- ¼ cup minced red or yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of ~ ½ lemon)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Optional Aioli
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill
- Pinch of fine salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the drained tuna, egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, minced onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, fresh dill, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Form Patties: Shape the mixture into 8 small, evenly sized patties to ensure even cooking.
- Coat with Breadcrumbs: Place the remaining ¼ cup breadcrumbs on a plate or shallow bowl. Gently press each tuna patty into the breadcrumbs to coat both sides, then set them on a clean plate.
- Heat Skillet and Add Oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Heat until the oil is hot and shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook Patties: Add the patties to the skillet carefully. Cook for 6-7 minutes on one side until browned and firm, then flip and cook another 6-7 minutes on the other side until golden and cooked through. Remove patties and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Prepare Aioli: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. This adds a bright, creamy topping for the patties.
- Serve: Serve the tuna patties warm, optionally accompanied by the aioli or other toppings like fresh herbs, lemon juice, honey mustard sauce, or tartar sauce for extra flavor.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months for meal prep convenience.
Notes
- Ensure tuna is well drained to avoid soggy patties.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Avocado oil is used for its high smoke point, but other neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil can be substituted.
- The aioli is optional but adds a fresh, zesty flavor.
- Leftover patties can be reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness.