Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savory Tunisian fricasse sandwiches featuring spiced fried potato patties topped with tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and harissa mayo. This African-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs potatoes, peeled and diced, canned tuna in oil, drained, eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Stir into the mashed potatoes 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
  3. Step 3: Form the potato mixture into 8 small patties about 2 inches in diameter.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Step 5: Hard boil 2 eggs by placing them in boiling water for 10 minutes, then cool and slice.
  6. Step 6: Mix 2 tbsp harissa paste with 1/4 cup mayonnaise to make harissa mayo.
  7. Step 7: Split 4 white sandwich rolls and spread the harissa mayo inside each. Layer each roll with 2 fried potato patties, 1/4 can drained tuna, and slices from the hard-boiled eggs. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Tunisian Fricasse with Tuna and Potatoes?

African sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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