These tuna burgers are a delightful twist on the classic burger, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying option. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual weekend lunch, they are packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Serve them on buns with your favorite toppings for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, you might need to ensure you have breadcrumbs and mayonnaise on hand. If you don't typically stock breadcrumbs, they can be found in the baking aisle of your supermarket. Mayonnaise is usually located in the condiments section.

Ingredients For Tuna Burgers Recipe
Tuna: Canned tuna is the star of this recipe, providing a rich source of protein and a savory flavor.
Breadcrumbs: These help bind the patties together and add a nice texture.
Egg: The beaten egg acts as a binder to hold the patties together.
Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and a creamy texture to the patties.
Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, tangy flavor that brightens up the dish.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
Onion powder: Contributes 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, giving them a golden brown crust.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your tuna burgers hold together well, make sure to thoroughly drain the tuna before mixing it with the other ingredients. Excess moisture can make the patties fall apart during cooking. Additionally, chilling the formed patties in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before frying can help them firm up, making them easier to handle and cook evenly.
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 oats: Oats can be used as a gluten-free option and offer a slightly different texture.
egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one egg, suitable for vegan diets.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a similar creamy texture with fewer calories and added protein.
mayonnaise - Substitute with mashed avocado: Mashed avocado offers a creamy texture and healthy fats, making it a nutritious alternative.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor.
lemon juice - Substitute with vinegar: A mild vinegar like apple cider vinegar can provide the necessary acidity.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic can be used for a more intense garlic flavor.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions can provide a similar flavor with added texture.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it suitable for frying.
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for frying and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze
Allow the tuna burgers to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
Place the cooled tuna burgers in an airtight container. If stacking them, separate each patty with a piece of parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the tuna burgers within 3-4 days.
For longer storage, wrap each tuna burger individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method helps maintain their flavor and texture.
Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Tuna burgers can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, thaw the tuna burgers in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps retain their moisture.
Reheat the tuna burgers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side.
Avoid microwaving the tuna burgers as it can make them rubbery and unevenly heated.
How to Reheat Leftovers
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.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan. Place the tuna burgers in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are warmed through and have a slight crisp.
Use a microwave-safe dish and cover the tuna burgers with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make them dry.
For a quick and even reheating, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the tuna burgers on the rack or a baking tray. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure both sides are warmed.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna burgers in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
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: Necessary for measuring the lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Whisk: Used to beat the egg before adding it to the mixture.
Frying pan: A medium-sized pan for cooking the tuna patties.
Spatula: Handy for flipping the patties in the frying pan.
Paper towels: Used to drain excess oil from the cooked patties.
Plate: For placing the cooked patties before serving.
Buns: To serve the tuna burgers on.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Use pre-drained tuna: Opt for cans of tuna that are already drained to save time.
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and spices in advance.
Mix in one bowl: Combine all ingredients in a single mixing bowl to minimize cleanup.
Form patties ahead: Shape the tuna mixture into patties and refrigerate them until ready to cook.
Use non-stick pan: A non-stick frying pan can reduce the need for extra olive oil and make flipping easier.

Tuna Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans Tuna drained
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg beaten
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- 2. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
- 3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- 4. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- 5. Serve the tuna burgers on buns with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Donair Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Slow Cooker Venison Roast Recipe8 Hours 15 Minutes
- Asian Orange Chicken Recipe35 Minutes
- Chinese Spareribs Recipe1 Minutes
- Eye of Round Roast Recipe1 Minutes
- Porterhouse Steak Recipe25 Minutes
- Cajun Chicken Recipe30 Minutes
- Carnitas Pressure Cooker Recipe1 Hours
Leave a Reply