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 / 2 x 170g)
- 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.
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These are delicious! My boyfriend doesn’t generally like tuna but he couldn’t stop eating these!
Hi Rachel, thanks so much, so glad he enjoyed them. Take care.
I followed the recipe exactly. Very good.
Thanks Cindy, glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week.
An I use tuna in vegetable oil
very good but i’d recommend adding salt & pepper
I have an allergy to gluten. What would you suggest in place of the crackers. Not crazy about GF crackers.
Hi Sheila, how about using gf bread crumbs. That would probably work. Let me know.
I’m trying it with Chex cereal. That’s what I have on hand. I believe I have rice and cornixed together.
Awesome recipe Rosemary. I normally make tuna “muffins” in the oven but will definitely try these out!
Tuna burgers where super easy to make and delicious
Thanks Steph, glad you liked them. Take care.
Very tasty and the dill mayo was an excellent addition.
Thanks Janice, glad you liked it.
This was so good!!! Def will be making it again. Typically with my tuna I use Greek yogurt instead of mayo jus to make it that much lighter. I wonder if this will work with Greek yogurt too?
Hi Chrystal, thanks so much, glad you like it and I think greek yogurt would work.
For dill pickle lovers a neat flavour try pickle juice instead of lemon.
Hi Dave, interesting, I will have to try that!
I didn’t have celery so I used chopped bell pepper and onion. I added a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and the rind of a lemon, some black pepper and Old Bay seasoning. Also as I am gluten free, I used gluten-free Panko style crumbs. So delicious!!!!!!! These are my new favorite recipe! and so easy and fast to make! Thanks so much.
Hi Anne, thanks Anne, glad you like them, and good idea on the chopped bell pepper. Happy New Year.
My husband was nervous. But turned out to be great. Thank you. Delicious!!
Hi Tanya, haha thanks so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great week.
Thank you for this supe recepie ! I’ll gonna make it today
Hi Dirgni, thank you, I hope you liked them.
No Italians in our kitchens. Irish and Polish. This should tell you how old I am.Since we are Catholic I remember eating these patties on many a meatless occasions. Which was all Fridays, Holy days, and of course Lent.We made them with canned salmon also.I never grew tired of them and am always amazed at the reaction to them.Glad you are passing on (and updating) the recipe. There were other fish when available, but these remained my favorites.Even though meatless days are no longer mandated they hold fond memories of family and tradition.If ever you. want I will make room for you in my kitchen.Italians always welcome! Barb. (Best wishes)
Hi Barbara, so glad you enjoyed them, and yes I remember no meat on Fridays too. Have a wonderful week.
Hi there does anyone know if you could freeze these?
Hi Pamela, yes you can freeze them, but you should cook them first. Hope that helps.