Looking for a quick and delicious meal that’s both healthy and satisfying? These tuna burgers are a fantastic option. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend lunch. Plus, they’re a great way to use up pantry staples like canned tuna.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry items, but you might need to pick up a few things if you don't already have them. Breadcrumbs are essential for binding the patties together, and Mayonnaise adds moisture and flavor. If you don't have Lemon juice on hand, fresh lemons are a great option. Make sure you have Garlic powder and Olive oil for seasoning and frying.
Ingredients For Tuna Burgers Recipe
Tuna: Provides the main protein base for the burgers.
Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the patties together and adds texture.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the patties together.
Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and richness to the patties.
Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy flavor to the mixture.
Garlic powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor without the harshness of raw garlic.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the patties.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor.
Olive oil: Used for frying the patties to a golden brown.
Technique Tip for Tuna Burgers
When forming the tuna patties, make sure to press them firmly to ensure they hold together well during cooking. If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or a splash of lemon juice. Conversely, if it's too wet, incorporate a bit more breadcrumbs. This balance will help achieve the perfect texture for your tuna burgers.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
tuna - Substitute with salmon: Salmon provides a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative for fish-based burgers.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with crushed crackers: Crushed crackers can provide the same binding and texture as breadcrumbs.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with oatmeal: Oatmeal can be used as a healthier, whole-grain option that also helps bind the mixture.
egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to replace the binding properties of an egg.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, with added protein and fewer calories.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic can be used for a more intense and aromatic garlic flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the burger.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor, with a slightly different aroma.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it suitable for frying.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze Your Tuna Burgers
Allow the tuna burgers to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can make the patties soggy.
Wrap each tuna burger individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.
Place the wrapped tuna burgers in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long they've been stored.
Store the tuna burgers in the refrigerator if you plan to eat them within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer, where they can last for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, thaw frozen tuna burgers in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and maintains the texture of the patties.
Reheat the tuna burgers in a skillet over medium heat, in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or in the microwave. If using a microwave, cover the patties with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
For an extra crispy texture, consider reheating the tuna burgers in a preheated oven or toaster oven. This helps to revive the golden brown crust.
Serve the reheated tuna burgers on fresh buns with your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the crispy texture of the patties.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil. Place the tuna burgers in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are warmed through. This method keeps the exterior nice and crispy.
Microwave Method: Place the tuna burgers on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Microwave on medium power for about 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly heated. This method is quick but may make the patties a bit softer.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy. This method is great for maintaining the crunchy exterior.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers on the toaster oven tray. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. This method is convenient and effective for small batches.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine all the ingredients for the tuna patties.
Fork: Useful for flaking the tuna and mixing the ingredients together.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the breadcrumbs and mayonnaise.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Frying pan: A flat-bottomed pan used to cook the tuna patties.
Spatula: Handy for flipping the patties in the frying pan.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of tuna.
Paper towels: Useful for draining the tuna and absorbing excess oil from the cooked patties.
Plate: Used to hold the formed patties before cooking and to serve the finished burgers.
Buns: The bread component for serving the tuna burgers.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Drain and flake the tuna ahead of time to save minutes during assembly.
Use pre-made breadcrumbs: Opt for store-bought breadcrumbs to avoid the hassle of making your own.
Mix efficiently: Combine all ingredients in one bowl to minimize cleanup and speed up the process.
Preheat the pan: Heat the olive oil while forming the patties to ensure the pan is ready when you are.
Batch cooking: Cook multiple patties at once if your pan size allows, reducing total cooking time.

Tuna Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans Tuna drained
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg beaten
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm on buns with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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