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    Home » All Recipes

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde (or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde)

    Published: May 30, 2017 · Updated: Nov 19, 2020 by Maggie Unzueta

    Easy-to-make, cheap, and yummy. Serve as an appetizer or quick lunch. It is always a winner with kids and moms alike.
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    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde. Easy, cheap, and delicious. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Time is scarce around here. I have to take advantage of every second, every minute available. Moms, surely you understand this problem. People used to tell me it got better when my son got older. He would be more independent. True, but then, the mom worries change. Instead of running after my kiddo making sure he didn’t accidentally eat bleach, I now worry about bullies at school and sassy girls. Sigh… Here to ease the pain, Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde.

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde. Easy, cheap, and delicious. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    These Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde, are perfect for my super active, little guy. When he’s out playing basketball with his friends, he can pop one of the meatballs and keep going. Cheap, easy, and I can make them ahead of time! Love them.

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde. Easy, cheap, and delicious. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen


    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    My friends, I use canned tuna. It’s always in my cupboard. Ready and available, and it’s an excellent source of protein. We’re all about the protein around here. Dr. Vogelmann (aka “The Hubs”) is not big on the carbohydrates. This version of Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde, is healthy too. I don’t fry or bread them. They go in the oven on a baking sheet and done in no time.

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde. Easy, cheap, and delicious. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    I usually stick them in a resealable plastic bag and place them in the fridge (or freezer) and take them out when when needed. You can eat them by themselves, but the Salsa Verde really pulls all the flavors together. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, entertaining appetizer or dish, put them on a serving tray. They will be gone in no time. Enjoy!

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde, or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde. Easy, cheap, and delicious. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Table of Contents

    • 1 Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde (or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde)
      • 1.1 Ingredients
      • 1.2 Instructions
      • 1.3 Notes
      • 1.4 Nutrition

    Tuna Balls in Salsa Verde (or Bolitas de Atún en Salsa Verde)

    Easy-to-make, cheap, and yummy. Serve as an appetizer or quick lunch. It is always a winner with kids and moms alike.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Lunch
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 28 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 39kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta
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    Ingredients

    • 2 cans of tuna in water drained
    • 1 cup breadcrumbs
    • 1 garlic clove finely minced
    • 1 jalapeño finely minced
    • 1 egg
    • 2-3 tablespoons Cilantro chopped
    • ¼ cup onion chopped
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Non-stick spray
    • 1 cup Salsa Verde

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven 400 degrees F.
    • Combine tuna, breadcrumbs, jalapeño, egg, cilantro, onion, salt and pepper.
    • Form into 1-inch balls.
    • If needed, add more breadcrumbs.
    • Add non-stick spray to a baking sheet.
    • Add balls to the baking sheet.
    • Bake for 18 minutes.
    • (If freezing, put into a plastic bag until ready to use).
    • Transfer meatballs to a large skillet.
    • Add salsa verde.
    • On low heat, cook for 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Serve as an appetizer or quick lunch.
    They go in the oven on a baking sheet and done in no time.
    Stick them in a resealable plastic bag and place them in the fridge (or freezer) and take them out when when needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!


    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the face behind In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been publishing Mexican recipes and creating delicious recipes since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Elizabeth

      March 05, 2026 at 5:12 am

      5 stars
      Quick, tasty and nutritious. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 17, 2026 at 2:10 am

        Perfect weeknight dinner! So happy.

        Reply
    2. Kerry Montgomery

      February 27, 2025 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious snack food. A question about the nutrition. 456 calories? That must be for the entire batch because a can of tuna in water is 120 calories, a cup of panko is 100 calories and the salsa verde is 88 calories for a cup. The original 456 calories scared me off but I think that’s for everything and I would never eat it all. Even though I might like to!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 27, 2025 at 7:26 pm

        It’s an automatic measurements sometimes get it wrong. Lol. Yes, it was for the entire batch. I went ahead and changed the measurements for individual tuna balls. Thanks for catching!

        Reply
    3. Abby of Baby Birds Farm

      June 02, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      I love that this uses canned tuna! I always need “pantry” meal ideas. And salsa verde? Rico!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 06, 2017 at 12:06 pm

        Awesome. Hope you like it!

        Reply

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