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Tuna Quinoa Cakes

December 2, 2016 by Lindsay 64 Comments

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These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

Hi Friends!

I first shared this recipe on the blog about 4.5 years ago. I updated the photos once already, a couple of years ago…but I’ve been making them a lot lately because they’re such a great quick meal or snack…so I snapped some new photos of them again to entice you to try them!

The great thing about these is that while they’re good the day you make them, they’re even better as leftovers, which makes them perfect for lunchboxes! They’re packed with protein, easy to make and taste great warm or cold. I eat them for lunch, dinner and snack time….and I’ve also been known to eat them as a post-workout snack.

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

Here’s how you make them:

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Quinoa Cakes With Tuna

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These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 c cooked, mashed sweet potato
  • 2 cans tuna, drained
  • 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 c green onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 c plain yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp mustard
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 c breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the tuna and sweet potato and mix well.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
  3. Using your hands, form into 6 cakes.
  4. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20 min, flipping once.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Pretty simple, right? Enjoy these on their own, warm or cold (I love them cold!), on top of a salad, or even on a bun!

Drizzle with sriracha for a spicy kick or mix some thai chili sauce with plain yogurt and dip!

These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are a great way to add some extra protein to your day. Eat them plain, put them on a bun, or use them to top your salad for a healthy lunch or dinner!

 

[clickToTweet tweet=”These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are perfect for a protein-packed meal or snack!” quote=”These Tuna Quinoa Cakes are perfect for a protein-packed meal or snack!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Dinner, Lunch Tagged With: Breadcrumbs, Egg, Green Onion, Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Yogurt

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    October 7, 2014 at 1:09 AM

    Yum! Looks like a great way to switch things up for lunch!!

    Reply
  2. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    October 7, 2014 at 4:07 AM

    Amazing pictures, Linds- I actually want to faceplant the screen for them. And adding a drizzle of sriracha? More like half the bottle 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      haha. of course. and thank you 🙂

      Reply
  3. Elena says

    October 7, 2014 at 6:43 AM

    Yum! I am glad that I finally overcame my aversion to canned tuna. Must try these!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      woohoo! enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

    October 7, 2014 at 7:08 AM

    I’ve never made tuna cakes, but now I’m wondering why not. These look fantastic!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      definitely give them a try!

      Reply
  5. Tina Muir says

    October 7, 2014 at 7:23 AM

    Yummy! This would be a great lunch, and its a kick ass way of getting a balanced meal, which I am a llllllll about! I am trying to have fish once a week, so this would be great for the weeks I don’t have fresh fish!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      yep! perfect way to change things up!

      Reply
  6. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    October 7, 2014 at 7:39 AM

    I have a random question… someone once told me that it’s better for SEO purposes to revamp/promote again old posts vs. create a whole new post. Do you think that’s BS? Curious since you’e so on it with these things (and selfishly I’ve been wanted to do this very thing).

    Reply
    • Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says

      October 7, 2014 at 8:16 AM

      Curious about this too! There are SO many old recipes of mine that could use a new photo shoot!

      Reply
      • Lindsay says

        October 7, 2014 at 2:49 PM

        i think as long as you change the title and the intro it’s fine to make a new post…but updating old posts is fine too

        Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:49 PM

      I know we chatted, but to reiterate here- as long as you change up the title/url/intro i think it’s fine to make a new post..but updating old posts is fine too!

      Reply
  7. Whitney @ Sweet Cayenne says

    October 7, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    Oh I can’t wait to try these – just love creative ways to jazz up tuna! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:49 PM

      thanks girl! hope you enjoy them!

      Reply
  8. Dietitian Jess says

    October 7, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    Such a great idea to use quinoa and sweet potato! I usually just use breadcrumbs, trying this one soon for sure, my husband loves leftovers 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM

      yay! hope you guys love them!

      Reply
  9. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says

    October 7, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    Love the addition of sweet potato to these! What a great idea! And of course my hubby would be on board since you mentioned the other love of his life – sriracha!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM

      haha double win!

      Reply
  10. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    October 7, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    I love this & the ease of it!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM

      super easy is where it’s at!

      Reply
  11. Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says

    October 7, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    Beautiful photos – love this idea and looks delish!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM

      thanks Marisa!

      Reply
  12. Cassie says

    October 7, 2014 at 11:58 AM

    Look great! Do you think this is something that would freeze well?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM

      I would assume so..but haven’t tested myself!

      Reply
  13. dixya | food, pleasure, and health says

    October 7, 2014 at 12:06 PM

    beautiful dish!

    Reply
  14. Jen @ pretty little grub says

    October 7, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    Those look yummy and easy! I haven’t made something like this in a while.

    Reply
  15. Kirtley Freckleton @ The Gist of Fit says

    October 7, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    Ya know, the name tuna cakes doesn’t sound like the most appetizing thing in the world, but the ingredients look suppper good! Never would have thought to add yogurt…

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:47 PM

      Definitely kinda hard to make sound and look appetizing but they taste great!

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        February 2, 2019 at 7:48 PM

        I am not a big fan of quinoa. Could I use whole wheat couscous instead?

        Reply
        • Lindsay says

          February 3, 2019 at 9:40 PM

          i think it would be fine.

          Reply
  16. Joanna @Makingmine says

    October 7, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    My hubby claims to not like tuna, so we NEVER have it here. I might have to make these and just sneak it on his plate 😉

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:47 PM

      hope he likes them! could also try with salmon or canned chicken!

      Reply
  17. Running Hutch says

    October 7, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Is this using mustard as in the condiment or the dry, powdered seasoning?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:47 PM

      the condiment!

      Reply
  18. Jennifer @nourishedsimply says

    October 7, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    Do you believe I have never cooked with quinoa? I have some red quinoa in the pantry and just keep moving it around on the shelf!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 8, 2014 at 8:36 AM

      haha i think these are a good way to start!

      Reply
  19. Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says

    October 7, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    These look amazing! I have a tuna cake recipe but I’ve never added quinoa or sweet potato. I’m not even a huge fan of tuna but I love tuna cakes! And they have soooo much protein!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 8, 2014 at 8:36 AM

      yeah they do! that’s why i love them too!

      Reply
  20. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    October 7, 2014 at 8:12 PM

    Looks good!

    Reply
  21. Ari @ Ari's Menu says

    October 7, 2014 at 11:05 PM

    I think these are my favorite photos you’ve ever posted! So bright and vibrant! Also, I totally want to make these!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 8, 2014 at 8:35 AM

      thanks so much friend!

      Reply
  22. Jackie says

    October 10, 2014 at 12:41 PM

    I despise mustard. Could I just leave it out or is there an acceptable substitution I could use instead?

    Reply
  23. Maritza says

    October 10, 2014 at 1:37 PM

    What a great way to use quinoa! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Madeline says

    February 10, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Love this variation on quinoa cups 🙂 Definitely going to try these soon!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 11, 2015 at 11:19 AM

      hope you like them!

      Reply
  25. Mraph says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    What size tuna cans?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 27, 2015 at 8:55 PM

      5 oz!

      Reply
  26. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    December 2, 2016 at 7:07 AM

    Thanks for sharing again! These would be perfect in my husband’s lunch box 🙂

    Reply
  27. Beth (OMG! Yummy) says

    December 2, 2016 at 3:14 PM

    This sounds like a way I can get behind quinoa is a big way! Very creative.

    Reply
  28. Amanda says

    March 27, 2017 at 7:47 PM

    The recipe isn’t showing for some reason?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 27, 2017 at 8:43 PM

      should be working now! sorry! just switched recipe plugins!

      Reply
      • Kathryn Ruggeri says

        March 28, 2017 at 4:16 PM

        Its still not working.

        Reply
        • Lindsay says

          March 30, 2017 at 1:50 PM

          ok try one more time! so sorry for the inconvenience. If it’s still not working i’ll email you the recipe until i get it figured out.

          Reply
  29. Ashley says

    June 12, 2017 at 12:30 AM

    I just wanted to say- I made these tonight for work tmrw and for my littles for lunch. They were super easy to make and once they were done I tested one and it was delicious! I love when I find keeper recipes that I think my children will also like. Plus with all the goodness in them it’s a win win! Thank you so much for a tasty recipe that wasn’t a waste of time and ingredients. I hope my children like as much as I do. But if not it’s okay- more for me. lol I look forward to trying some of your other recipes!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 13, 2017 at 11:41 PM

      so glad to hear they were a hit!

      Reply
  30. Alana says

    July 17, 2017 at 6:10 AM

    What’s the green bit in them? The photos look like there might be some herb or maybe spring onion in them, which isn’t listed in the recipe.

    Reply
    • Alana says

      July 17, 2017 at 6:11 AM

      Ack I’m an idiot and can’t read. Sorry bout that!

      Reply
  31. Jessie says

    October 12, 2017 at 9:34 PM

    Do these freeze well? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 15, 2017 at 8:12 PM

      i’ve actually never frozen them, but i bet they would!

      Reply
  32. Niki says

    January 22, 2018 at 7:08 AM

    These were fantastic. I used a bit less bread crumbs but otherwise followed it exactly. My one year old also gobbled them up!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      January 23, 2018 at 7:09 PM

      yay! love hearing that!

      Reply
  33. Sheila says

    April 27, 2021 at 1:19 PM

    Loved this recipe! Just curious how many cakes is considered a serving?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      May 10, 2021 at 6:34 AM

      i’d say 2

      Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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