These tuna burgers are a delightful twist on the classic burger, offering a lighter and healthier alternative. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual weekend lunch, they are packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Pair them with your favorite toppings and buns for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a few items if you don't already have them. Breadcrumbs are essential for binding the patties together, and lemon juice adds a fresh, zesty flavor. Make sure you have canned tuna on hand, as it's the star of the dish. If you don't usually stock garlic powder or olive oil, you'll need to grab those as well.

Ingredients For Tuna Burgers Recipe
Tuna: The main protein source for the burgers, providing a rich, savory flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the patties together and adds a slight crunch.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the patties together.
Onion: Adds a bit of sweetness and texture to the burgers.
Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, zesty flavor that brightens up the dish.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, savory depth of flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the patties.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.
Olive oil: Used for frying the patties, giving them a golden, crispy exterior.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When forming the patties, make sure to press them firmly to ensure they hold together well during cooking. If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a little more lemon juice or a small amount of mayonnaise to help bind the ingredients. Additionally, chilling the patties in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before cooking can help them maintain their shape and prevent them 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.
beaten egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: A mixture of flaxseed meal and water can act as a vegan binder similar to eggs.
finely chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can be used in the same quantity as onions.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor to lemon juice.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic can offer a more robust flavor compared to garlic powder.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the burgers.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different aroma.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative to olive oil.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This One
How to Store or Freeze Your Tuna Burgers
Allow the tuna burgers to cool completely before storing or freezing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the patties soggy.
For short-term storage, place the cooled tuna burgers in an airtight container. Layer them with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For freezing, wrap each tuna burger individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they maintain their shape and prevents freezer burn.
Place the wrapped tuna burgers in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, thaw the tuna burgers in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain their texture and flavor.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed tuna burgers on a baking sheet and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Alternatively, you can reheat the tuna burgers in a frying pan. Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat and cook the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through.
Serve the reheated tuna burgers with fresh buns and your favorite toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, and avocado. Enjoy the same delicious taste as when they were freshly made!
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. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the tuna burgers in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly warmed.
Microwave Method: Place the tuna burgers on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.
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, until they are hot and slightly crispy.
Steaming Method: Place a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water. Arrange the tuna burgers in the basket, making sure they are not touching the water. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain moisture.
Essential Tools for Making Tuna Burgers
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine all the ingredients together.
Fork: Useful for flaking the tuna and mixing the ingredients thoroughly.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the breadcrumbs and lemon juice.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper precisely.
Knife: Needed for finely chopping the onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the onion.
Frying pan: Used to cook the tuna patties until they are golden brown.
Spatula: Helpful for flipping the patties in the frying pan.
Plate: For placing the cooked patties once they are done.
Paper towels: To drain any excess oil from the cooked patties.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use pre-chopped onions: Save time by using pre-chopped onions from the store.
Mix in a food processor: Combine all ingredients in a food processor for quicker mixing.
Preheat the pan: Preheat the frying pan while forming the patties to save cooking time.
Make extra patties: Double the recipe and freeze extra patties for a quick meal later.
Use non-stick spray: Use non-stick spray instead of olive oil to reduce cleanup time.
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop onions and measure out spices ahead of time.

Tuna Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans Tuna drained
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg beaten
- ¼ cup Onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped onion, 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 hot with your favorite toppings and buns.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Filipino Chicken Sopas Recipe1 Hours
- Beef Shish Kabobs Recipe30 Minutes
- Ezekiel Bread Recipe1 Hours 15 Minutes
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe45 Minutes
- Chai Tea Latte Recipe15 Minutes
- Panini Sandwiches Recipe15 Minutes
- Ice Cream Bread Recipe45 Minutes
- Sweet Chili Thai Sauce Recipe20 Minutes
Leave a Reply