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Fish, Busy evenings

Tuna croquettes with green salad

Tuna croquettes with green salad are made of mashed potatoes mixed with flaked tuna, breaded and pan fried until golden, served with a green salad. The recipe takes 45 minutes for 4 people, rates as easy and costs €2.20 per person. The key to success is a dry mash and a rest in the fridge before shaping the croquettes.

Tonight, little tuna and potato croquettes pan fried until golden, with a salad for freshness.

Tuna croquettes with green salad
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
480 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Tuna croquettes with green salad bring together the softness of mashed potatoes and the straightforward taste of tuna, lifted by lemon and fresh parsley. The breadcrumb coating turns crisp in the pan while the inside stays soft and moist. It is a simple dish that needs no oven and no complicated ingredients, just a bit of planning ahead.

This is the kind of recipe you want on a busy weeknight, made with ingredients you often already have in the pantry. Kids enjoy the shape and the crunch of the croquettes, and the green salad on the side adds the freshness that balances the dish. Mon Chou suggests it for rushed evenings that still deserve a good meal.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 600 g
  • Parsley 1 bunch
  • Lemon 1
  • Green salad 1

Pantry

  • Canned tuna in wateroften in the pantry 280 g
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 8 tbsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Butcher

  • Eggs 2

Allergens Gluten, Eggs, Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the peeled potatoes in salted water, drain them and mash them into a firm puree. 20 min

    Let them sit for a minute in the hot pot, the mash will be less watery.

  2. Mix the mashed potatoes with the flaked tuna, one egg, the parsley, the lemon juice, salt and pepper.

    Taste as you go, the lemon gives it a nice kick.

  3. Shape eight croquettes, dip them in beaten egg then coat them in breadcrumbs.

    Use one hand for the wet mixture and the other for the dry breadcrumbs to avoid breaded fingers.

  4. Pan fry the croquettes in hot oil until golden on both sides. 8 min

    Set them on paper towels as soon as they come out of the pan.

  5. Dress the salad with vinegar, a drizzle of oil, salt and pepper, and serve.

    A lemony yogurt sauce goes really well with these croquettes.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the tuna well before flaking it, otherwise the mixture becomes too wet and the croquettes won't hold together while cooking.
  • Use starchy potatoes rather than new potatoes, they give a firmer mash that is easier to shape.
  • Don't crowd the pan, fry the croquettes in two batches if needed so they cook evenly without turning soggy.

The variations

  • Swap the tuna for flaked cooked salmon for a milder taste and a different color on the plate.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the tuna with mashed chickpeas and a bit of cumin, the result stays crisp and flavorful.
  • To go faster with impatient kids, shape smaller croquettes, they cook in less time and are easy to eat with your hands.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh lemon wedges to squeeze
  • Lemony yogurt sauce
  • Glass of sparkling water with lemon

Storage

Cooked croquettes keep for 2 days in the fridge in a closed container. You can also freeze the raw mixture, already shaped into croquettes, and cook them straight from frozen with a slightly longer cooking time. Reheat cooked croquettes in a pan so they get crisp again.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the croquettes ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the croquettes the day before and keep them covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook. The chilling time actually helps them hold together better in the pan.

Should you use tuna in water or tuna in oil?

Tuna in water is better because it adds less moisture to the mixture. If you use tuna in oil, drain it thoroughly to keep the texture firm.

How do you keep the croquettes from falling apart while cooking?

Let the mixture rest well in the fridge before shaping, as the tip suggests. Also avoid flipping them too soon, wait until a golden crust forms on one side.

Can kids help make this recipe?

Yes, shaping the croquettes and coating them in breadcrumbs is a simple step kids enjoy doing. Just set up one hand for the wet mixture and one hand for the dry breadcrumbs to keep things tidy.

How long does it take to make tuna croquettes with green salad?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in tuna croquettes with green salad?

About 480 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does tuna croquettes with green salad cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs, fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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