
45 mins
10 People
202 Cals
About the recipe
Crispy Tuna Cakes with Green Peas + YoghurtLight. Fresh. deeply satisfying.If you’re looking for a healthy tuna burger recipe that’s high in protein, budget-friendly, and incredibly delicious — these tuna smash burgers are it.Golden and crisp on the outside, soft and tender inside… these beautiful tuna cakes are made with pantry staples like canned tuna, mashed potato, sweet green peas, and fresh herbs.The combination of dill, parsley, spring onion and lemon creates a clean, vibrant flavour, while the mashed potato gives them that perfect soft, fluffy texture.Pan-crisped until golden, then finished in the oven for that perfect bite — and served with cool, creamy Greek yoghurt and a drizzle of fresh salsa verde…This is the kind of recipe you make once… then crave on repeat.Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, high-protein lunches, or effortless entertaining.
Nutrition Per Serving
202
Calories
3g
Fat
1g
Saturates
2g
Sugars
101mg
Salt
15g
Protein
23g
Carbs
4g
Fibre
Ingredients
Tuna Burger
- 500 g potatoes peeled and cut into chunks (you need 500g mashed potato total)
- 350 g canned tuna in spring water well drained
- 2 –3 tablespoons Greek yoghurt
- 1 generous tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 cup green peas lightly steamed
- 2 spring onions finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- Sea salt + white pepper
Crumbing
- 120 g flour plain, spelt, rice flour or gluten-free flour
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 cups breadcrumbs panko or gluten-free
- Olive oil for cooking
To Serve
- Greek yoghurt
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Salsa verde optional
- Leafy greens or simple salad
Method
- Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well, then mash or pass through a ricer while still warm. You should have approximately 500 g mashed potato.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed potato, tuna, peas, spring onion, dill, parsley, yoghurt and mayonnaise.
- Season well with sea salt and white pepper.
- Mix gently until just combined. (Using your hands gives the best texture - wear gloves)
- Form the mixture into 10 even-sized burgers. I used an ice cream scoop. Nice and easy.
- Place onto a tray and chill for 15–20 minutes if time allows — this helps them firm up and hold their shape when cooking.
- Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
- Lightly coat each burger in flour, dip into the egg, then press into breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- Gently reshape if needed.
- Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the tuna burgers for 3 minutes on each side until golden and crisp.
- Transfer to a tray and place in a preheated oven at 200°C for 8 minutes to heat through.
- Serve warm with a generous dollop of Greek yoghurt, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and salsa verde if using.
- Add a simple green salad or leafy greens for a fresh, balanced meal.
CHEF’S TIPS
Drain your tuna well — excess moisture will make the mixture too soft.
Chilling is key — helps the burgers hold together perfectly
Don’t skip the oven finish — ensures they’re heated through while staying moist inside
For extra flavour — add lemon zest to the mixture for a fresh citrus lift
Make it gluten-free — use rice flour + gluten-free breadcrumbs
Air fryer option — cook at 190°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway
Freezer-friendly — freeze uncooked crumbed burgers, then cook straight from frozen
Serving upgrade — add a fresh herb salsa verde or cucumber yoghurt for a beautiful finish
Drain your tuna well — excess moisture will make the mixture too soft.
Chilling is key — helps the burgers hold together perfectly
Don’t skip the oven finish — ensures they’re heated through while staying moist inside
For extra flavour — add lemon zest to the mixture for a fresh citrus lift
Make it gluten-free — use rice flour + gluten-free breadcrumbs
Air fryer option — cook at 190°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway
Freezer-friendly — freeze uncooked crumbed burgers, then cook straight from frozen
Serving upgrade — add a fresh herb salsa verde or cucumber yoghurt for a beautiful finish


