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 Tuna Canned in water, although oil is fine too.
- Cracker Crumbs rather than bread crumbs, it’s something my Mom used quite often especially in her Delicious Meatloaf.
- 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 and cook until the patties have browned on both sides. Serve with an easy dill mayonnaise sauce.
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 Tip
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.
What to serve with Tuna Burgers:
They are absolutely delicious between two slices of pumpernickel bread or any of your favourite bread. 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 or some baked Italian Rosemary Potatoes would be a good choice.
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.
I have made these twice and, one word: terrific. I like to mix up the ingredients in the morning and put in the fridge. Later, it’s a simple and easy to prepare dish. I make smaller, about 12 patties. Also, I too use panko for their lightness, regular mayo because that’s all I have, and I add a bit of chili powder or Old Bay seasoning. My son likes them with Amish potato salad; I enjoy over a “supper” salad. They are also very pretty!
Hi Marcy, so glad you enjoy them. Too bad I can’t get panko here, and my husband would love the hot pepper addition. Have a great day.
Mmm this was so good thank you!! I added a couple splashed of teriyaki, and green onion and garlic powder and it was soo delicious!
Hi Janelle, what great additions I will have to try it too next time. So glad you enjoyed them.
Thanks, this was the perfect light dinner we needed tonight. Only change I made was using panko crumbs instead of crackers, because that is what I had on hand. This was great!
Hi Tara, so glad you enjoyed it, a great Summer Dinner too. Have a great week.
Can you sub the crackers for something else? Like Oats?
Hi Krista, I really don’t know I have always used either crackers or bread crumbs, you could try and let me know how it tastes.
I would have never thought to make tuna into a patty for a burger lie that! Looks delicious!
Hi Whitney, thanks, they are really good.
I usually make salmon burgers but, when I saw this I tried it and it was delicous! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Tina, thanks so glad you enjoyed them. Have a great week.
Can this recipe be halved using one can of tuna; with respect to the egg in particular.
Hi Margaret, sure you could half it, you could use a small egg. Hope that helps.
I only started to use tinned fish since we moved to Hungary and these sound delicious, gotta give it a try!
Hi Brian, tuna is really popular here also in the can. Hope you like them.
I just made salmon burgers the other day but I love Tuna. I’ll have to try your recipe next time with tuna! looks delicious!
Hi Megan, we prefer the tuna burgers, enjoy.
I’m not a big Tuna fan. These look so good i’m actually thinking if making them. I also have a daughter that would enjoy your healthier version!
Hi Diane, hope you enjoy them let me know. Have a great weekend.
I haven’t had a grilled tuna sandwich, tuna melt, or tuna burger in ages. It’s definitely time to make one!!
Hi Renee, a great change from a meat burger! Have a great weekend.
I have never had a tuna burger and now I’m wondering why not? I mean, I love crab cakes and tuna melts, so I definitely need to try this!
Hi Karen, give it a try they are really good. A nice change.
My grandmother and mother used to make these when I was young using tuna packed in oil. I think I’ll try this but with left-over tuna steaks. Your recipe sounds delicious.
Hi Tina Marie, that a good idea. Have a great weekend.
These sound delicious!! You e got me wondering what type of cracker crumbs you use? Ritz, Saltine or something else? I don’t believe I have ever seen cracker crumbs sold in the stor, but then again I have never looked for them. In your opinion, which type of cracker works best?
Hi Liz, I use saltine crackers and I mash them myself with a blender, for sure here in Italy, you can’t get cracker crumbs. Have a great day. 🙂
I so can’t wait to try this…..sounds amazing! I have a bone to pick with you, though. When you have the most amazing tuna in Italy which is packed in heart healthy olive oil, why on God’s green Earth would you use tuna packed in water???!!! In my opinion, this is sacrilege!!! LOL!!! I will be trying this recipe but will be using tuna packed in extra virgin olive oil. I am so drooling right now!! 😉
Hi Suzette, I know guilty as charged, actually I buy both, I blame packed in water on my daughters :). Hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for sharing this… I have been looking for a tuna patty for so long. My coworker brings salmon patties to work, but I’m not a fan of salmon… the tuna, I will certainly try!
Hi Byron, thank you I hope you enjoy these tuna burgers. Have a great day!
Yum! my kids love Tuna …. LOVE tuna. My son will take tuna burger patties to school for lunch. Yours are slightly different and i have celery so i’ll give them a go ! Thanks for sharing with us for The Sunday Brunch Magazine, we look forward to sharing your work, Bel & Eliza xx