Don’t you just love seafood? And the best thing about it is that it is healthy as well and packed with so much nutrition which is absolutely necessary for the human body.
One of my favourite fish is Mackerel is packed with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and rich in biologically active amino acids and protein.1 They can be cooked in different ways, but my favourites are the jack mackerel recipe and easy canned patties among mackerel recipes. Today, I will guide you on how to make canned patties. This recipe is Budget-conscious and made with canned pantry staples.
These mackerel patties are everything: quick, tasty, budget-friendly, and made with pantry staples. And best of all? No potato peeling or mashing required!
If you’re on keto, love high-protein lunches, or simply like making canned mackerel, this recipe should be your favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you are looking for a quick meal prep that you also want to be healthy and nutritious, this recipe is best for you. This recipe for canned mackerel can be prepared in just 20 minutes. You don’t need to do any pre-cooking or mash anything.
Visit: Lobster and Cream Sauce Tagliatelle Recipe – Luxurious Pasta Dish
I have also made this recipe budget-friendly, and all the ingredients should be easily accessible from your local grocery store.
These mackerel patties are great for meal preps, lunch boxes or even dinner. You can totally customize it, I personally love it with the side of BBQ sauce that gives this a bold and strong flavour.
Ingredients at a Glance
Let’s learn how to prepare canned mackerel. All you need are these simple ingredients, which I have broken down into two parts.The firstt part is for the preparation of mackerel patties, while the next is for the sauce that you can try with this recipe.
Discover: Easy Korean Meatballs Recipe – Sweet, Savory and Oven-Baked
Base Patties
- 2 small tins of mackerel in oil (jack mackerel or regular, your pick)
- 1 egg (or flax egg)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise or Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp ground almonds (or almond flour)
- ¼ cup finely diced onion
- Fresh herbs (basil, dill, or coriander)
- Spices: smoked paprika, salt, pepper
Tip: Don’t toss the mackerel oil, so nothing goes to waste — it’s perfect for frying!
Optional Cheddar Ranch Drizzle
- 3 tbsp full-fat Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup grated mature cheddar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or balsamic)
- A dash of gluten-free tamari soy sauce
- Sea salt & black pepper to taste
How to Make Mackerel Patties
Step-by-Step
- Drain the oil from your canned mackerel into a skillet — we’re going to fry the patties in this flavorful oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients (minus the drizzle).
- Form the mixture into 8 golf ball-sized pieces, then gently flatten into patties.
- Heat your skillet to medium-high and pan-fry each patty for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- If you’re making the sauce, just mix all drizzle ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over the cooked patties.
Bonus tip: Wondering how to cook canned mackerel without it being mushy? Don’t overmix — keep the texture a little chunky!
Explore: Keto Peanut Butter Cookies: Low-Carb, Chewy and Sugar-Free Recipe
Smart Substitutions
If you’re missing something, don’t worry — here’s how to tweak it:
- No egg? Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water).
- No mackerel? This works great with canned tuna, sardines, or salmon.
- Not keto? Sub coconut flour with:
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp plain flour
- 6 tbsp oat flour
- 5 tbsp instant mashed potatoes
Flavor Variations
Want to spice things up?
- Spicy kick: Add hot sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes
- Thai-style: Lemongrass paste, ginger, garlic, coriander
- Kid-friendly: Cut them into shapes, top with melty cheese, and serve with ketchup.
How to Serve Mackerel Patties
These mackerel patties are quite versatile and you can serve them with different side dishes. The first idea is to add them on top of a fresh salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing. Brown rice, quinoa or whole grains are great sides for these pasta dishes.
You can use your mackerel patties with zucchini noodles tossed in olive oil. To keep the meal diet friendly, use low carb buns or make wraps with lettuce instead of bread. A protein-packed snack such as chicken or turkey over mayo or cheddar ranch, goes very well with these corn chips.
Too many options that have become confusing? And you are still wondering how to prepare canned mackerel in new ways? Start with patties — then add your twist!
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store in a sealed container up to 2 days
- Freezer: Freeze once cooled (up to 3 months)
- Reheat: Best when pan-fried again — crispy on the outside, soft inside
Nutritional Value:
These mackerel patties have lots of protein, healthy omega-3s, very little carbohydrates, and include vitamin D and B12. They match well with keto, low-carb, or balanced healthy ways of eating. If you want more information on mackerel, you can read this article by Rachel Link. 2
I am sure you will love these mackerel patties.
If you’re still asking, “How do you make mackerel into something you’d crave?” — this mackerel patties recipe is the answer.
Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, this easy jack mackerel recipe will stretch your budget without skimping on flavor.
