These tuna burgers are a delightful twist on the classic burger, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying option. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual weekend lunch, these patties are packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Serve them on buns with your favorite toppings for a delicious meal that everyone will love.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, if you don't usually keep tuna or breadcrumbs on hand, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Tuna is typically found in the canned fish section, while breadcrumbs can be found in the baking aisle or near the spices.

Ingredients for Tuna Burgers Recipe
Tuna: Provides the main protein and 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 creaminess to the mixture.
Lemon juice: Adds a touch of acidity and brightness to the flavor.
Garlic powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic.
Onion powder: Adds a mild onion flavor to the patties.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the patties.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor.
Olive oil: Used for frying the patties to a golden brown.
Technique Tip for Making Tuna Burgers
When forming the 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 a perfect texture and prevent the tuna burgers from falling apart in the frying pan.
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.
egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to create a vegan binding agent.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture and tanginess, with fewer calories and more protein.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic brightness to the dish.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic offers a more robust and aromatic flavor.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions provide a fresh and slightly sweet flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the burgers.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and spice to the dish.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable alternative for frying.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Tuna Burgers
How to Store or Freeze Tuna Burgers
Allow the tuna burgers to cool completely at room temperature before storing or freezing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the burgers soggy.
For short-term storage, place the tuna burgers in an airtight container. You can stack them with a piece of parchment paper between each burger to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, wrap each tuna burger individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place the wrapped burgers in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the tuna burgers in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures they defrost evenly and maintain their texture.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers on a baking sheet and cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Alternatively, you can reheat the tuna burgers in a skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat and cook the burgers for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
Avoid microwaving the tuna burgers as this can make them rubbery and unevenly heated.
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 with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed 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 cover with a lid. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until heated through. This method ensures the burgers stay moist and flavorful.
Microwave Method: Place the tuna burgers on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly heated. This is the quickest method but may slightly alter the texture.
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. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method helps to keep the burgers crispy on the outside while reheating them evenly.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers on a toaster oven tray. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. This method is great for maintaining the texture and flavor of the burgers.
Essential Tools for Making Tuna Burgers
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Fork: Handy for flaking the tuna and mixing the ingredients together.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the breadcrumbs and mayonnaise.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Frying pan: This is where you'll cook the tuna patties to a golden brown perfection.
Spatula: Useful for flipping the patties in the frying pan.
Plate: Place the formed patties on this before cooking, and also use it to serve the finished burgers.
Paper towels: Use these to drain any excess oil from the cooked patties.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of tuna.
Bun: While not a tool, it's essential for serving the tuna burgers.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Tuna Burgers
Use pre-drained tuna: Opt for pre-drained tuna to save time on draining and reduce mess.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and spices in advance to streamline the mixing process.
Use a food processor: Quickly combine all ingredients in a food processor for a uniform mixture.
Form patties in advance: Shape the tuna patties ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
Cook in batches: If your pan is small, cook the patties in batches to ensure even cooking and save time.

Tuna Burgers
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans Tuna drained
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg beaten
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- to taste Salt and Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- 2. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- 3. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- 4. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- 5. Serve the tuna burgers on buns with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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