Easy Tuna Burgers (Patties)
Delicious Best Ever Tuna Burgers. A fast and easy canned tuna recipe, nobody will even miss the meat. These Tuna Patties are the perfect dinner recipe your whole family will love.
I started making these Tuna Patties when the kids were little and I still make them. My kids and even the Italian love them, they are quick and easy to put together, perfect for lunch or dinner. When I need something quick and meatless I will also reach for a frittata, a simple pasta or one of my favorite salad recipes.
There are only 5 ingredients in these Tuna Patties –
- Tuna – I like to use 2-3 cans of tuna in water, although oil is fine too.
- Cracker Crumbs rather than breadcrumbs, it’s something my Mom used quite often especially in her Delicious Meatloaf. But of course if you prefer by all means use breadcrumbs but you will have to add a bit of salt.
- 1 egg – to help bind everything together.
- 1-2 stalks of celery – I love the taste and crunchiness of celery but you can always substitute with green peppers, onions, carrots or even chives.
- Mayonnaise – also used to bind all the ingredients, I chose light mayo but regular is fine also.
How to make Tuna Burgers
In a medium bowl add the tuna and flake it with a fork, then add the cracker crumbs, egg, chopped celery and mayo, mix together then form into patties. Drizzle a little olive oil in frying pan or skillet and cook until the patties have browned on both sides. Serve with an easy dill mayonnaise sauce in a bun or without.
Can Tuna Patties be Baked instead of Fried?
Yes they can be baked, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, place the patties on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a pre-heated 375F / 190 C oven and bake until the burgers are golden brown about 10 minutes on each side.
How to make Dill Mayonaisse Sauce:
In a small bowl combine mayo, lemon juice and dill. Whisk the ingredients together. Perfect with fish burgers. Refrigerate an leftover sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Place the uncooked burgers on a clean plate and cover with plastic wrap and chill for approximately 15 minutes. This will firm them for easier frying.
- Make sure you add enough mayonnaise, this will keep the tuna cakes from falling apart.
What to serve with Tuna Burgers:
They are absolutely delicious between two slices of pumpernickel bread or any of your favourite bread, add some lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Or if you decide to go really light, a tossed salad on the side would be the perfect combination.
Or sometimes I will add some Sauteed Greens some baked Italian Rosemary Potatoes or even a tasty bean salad, all would be a good choices.
What can you use instead of mayonnaise?
If you prefer you could substitute with sour cream or even greek yogurt.
More Delicious Tuna Recipes:
- Easy Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Tuna Mozzarella Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
- Grilled Zucchini Double Cheese Tuna Bake
So if you are looking for something on the lighter side I hope you give these Tuna Patties a try and let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
Easy Tuna Burgers (Patties)
Ingredients
TUNA BURGERS
- 2 cans tuna (in water)drain well (2 x 6 ounce cans / 2x 125g)
- 1½ cups cracker crumbs (I use saltine crackers using a blender to mash them)
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1-2 stalks celery finely chopped
- ½ cup light or regular mayonnaise (more if needed)
DILL MAYO SAUCE
- ½ cup light or regular mayo
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½-1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1-2tablespoons fresh chopped)
Instructions
TUNA BURGERS
- In a medium bowl add tuna and flake well with a fork, add cracker crumbs, egg, celery and mayonnaise. Mix until combined.
- Form into patties (I made 5 patties), place in a lightly greased frying pan and cook on medium heat, approximately 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown or desired doneness. Serve immediately. Top each with Dill Mayo Sauce if desired. Enjoy!
DILL MAYO SAUCE
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and dill.
Notes
Can the patties be made in advance?
Yes they can be made in advance, place on a plate cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate up to one day.How to store tuna burgers
Store the completely cooled burgers in an airtight container, they will keep for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. You can freeze the Tuna Patties uncooked or cooked. To freeze uncooked be sure to freeze them in an airtight freezer safe container on layers of parchment paper. No need to thaw, just cook them frozen. Although they may need some extra cooking time. If you decide to freeze them cooked, then make sure to cool completely before storing in an airtight container again on layers of parchment paper. Let thaw over night in the fridge and warm in the oven.Nutrition
Updated from March 24, 2015.
It’s All About Pasta
Amazing pasta recipes to make your mouth water!
Authentic Italian Desserts
75 Traditional Desserts Made Easy
These really are my favorite Tuna burgers. I do add half onion with the celery but otherwise I’d great as is.
Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Forrest, thanks so much, glad you enjoy them. Take care!
Moist and good – much better recipe than the one I’ve used before…
Hi Irene, thanks so much so glad it was enjoyed. Take care and Happy New Year!
Not bad at all! I didn’t have celery so I just used the tomatoes my mother in law gave me the other day from her garden. Use Panko bread crumbs. I had to use a little more than recipe because I only skimmed and missed that tuna had to drained! 😂 My patties are about 3-4 inches diameter and about 1/4 inch thick. Made 10 patties! Adding maybe 1/2 egg more next time. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Michelle, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed them. Take care!
I was astounded by how good these were. They are going to be a regular in our house!
Hi Deb, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care!
Going to make them tonight, sounds good and easy for a busy day ahead. Also love the comments to give ideas to serve w/them. Thank you.
Hi Joyce, thanks, I hope you enjoyed them. Take care!
Just made this!….it was a hit!
So easy to make.
Used Tartar sauce instead of mayo.
Will make again!
Thank you!
Hi Peggy, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Great idea with the tartar sauce. Take care!
MY AUNT MARIE GAVE ME THIS RECIPE 40 YEARS AGO I STILL MAKE IT.
Hi Maryann, thanks and yes it’s an old recipe. Take care!
I made this for the first time. I’m not a big tuna fish fan, but this was very good. I especially liked the dill sauce!
Hi Elaine, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed them. Take care and have a great weekend!
It’s Friday night and it’s also Lent. I made these for dinner . . . LOVED them! I made the recipe exactly as written. I’ll be making them again even if it’s not Lent! Great, simple recipe. The dill sauce is perfect!
Hi Linda, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Take care and have a great weekend!
I also added an extra can of tuna. We enjoyed them with the sauce on a Hamburger bun. The next time I will melt cheese on top and serve with Fridos and soup. Enjoy!
Hi Marilyn, thanks so much, great idea. Take care and have a great weekend!
I made this. I did 3 cans of tuna. I also finely chopped a carrot and 2 small red peppers and one green onion. I did not change anything else and it still came out great. I got 12 but I lightly packed them into a 1/4 cup plastic measuring cup and then dumped them onto a cookie sheet to await frying. I used a little olive oil and 2 tsp. Of butter in my 12” iron skillet. Everyone loved, loved them. I’m sure I will make again. We are calling them tuna cakes. I did a pasta salad of small shells with cold chopped asparagus, halved little bomber tomatoes and sliced baby cucumbers w Italian dressing and crescent rolls. I served homemade cream of mushroom soup first. It was a gals luncheon and husband had 2 for dinner and loved also. Thanks!
Hi Sandra, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed them. And your lunch sounded amazing. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!