These tuna burgers are thick, savory, and irresistible! Pile on the toppings and smother with aioli for a satisfying meal.

Right here’s a novel means to make use of a can of tuna…attempt Tuna Burgers! Tuna makes an unexpectedly glorious burger: thick and savory. Balanced on a bun with chipotle aioli and veggie toppings, it’s a satisfying meal that everybody will get pleasure from. Plus, it’s economical and an awesome different to purple meat. Identical to our well-liked tuna patties, it’s a wholesome dinner thought that may shock and delight. Right here’s the way it’s accomplished!
Substances in tuna burgers
Tuna burgers are merely a burger the place canned tuna stands in for floor meat. You’ll additionally want so as to add some binders to assist the tuna stick collectively, like egg, breadcrumbs, mustard and mayonnaise. All of it comes collectively right into a savory, hearty mixture of flavors! Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Chicken tuna (see under)
- Inexperienced onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Plain panko or coarse breadcrumbs (or gluten free breadcrumbs; see under*)
- Dijon mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Eggs
- Olive oil

Ideas for purchasing canned tuna
There are many choices on the grocery retailer in terms of canned tuna. Right here’s what to search for when shopping for for these tuna burgers:
- Search for mild tuna caught by pole and line fishing, which is essentially the most sustainable alternative. Mild tuna that comes from skipjack has the bottom mercury ranges of all varieties of tuna. (Learn extra right here.)
- Purchase BPA free cans. Search for cans or pouches which are BPA free.
- Oil packed or water packed work. Use no matter is your private choice for this recipe! Both means, drain the can earlier than utilizing.
Panko vs breadcrumbs
Do you inventory panko in your pantry? It’s extraordinarily versatile and our favourite choice in terms of breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs are vital to get a cohesive, strong texture to a tuna burger. Right here’s the distinction between panko and conventional breadcrumbs, and why we want panko:
- Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb combination that’s airier and lighter than conventional breadcrumbs. It makes a fantastically crispy coating and it’s very versatile. Use it in recipes like Pistachio Crusted Salmon or Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. Or our favourite means: use it as a stand-in for croutons in a Kale Caesar Salad or Romaine Salad.
- Breadcrumbs additionally work! Packages labeled “coarse breadcrumbs” are greatest, since conventional breadcrumbs have a finer texture like sand. However both ought to work! You too can make do-it-yourself breadcrumbs.
- Need breadcrumb substitutes? Strive gluten-free panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs, or use an equal quantity of crushed crackers of any sort.

Tips on how to make tuna burgers: some suggestions
When you’ve received all of your substances, tuna burgers are easy to place collectively. Simply ensure to depart quarter-hour for permitting the burgers to agency up within the fridge. Listed here are some notes on the method:
- This recipe makes 4 very giant or 5 medium burgers. We want the dimensions with 5 as a result of it suits in a bun properly however nonetheless has some heft (the dimensions with 6 is simply too small). It could be an odd quantity, however then somebody will get seconds! Or leftovers save properly for two to three days.
- Kind the burgers, then refrigerate quarter-hour. This helps them agency up previous to pan frying. Use this time to make the burger sauce or prep different elements of the meal.
- Pan fry 4 minutes per aspect. Fry in olive oil till they’re golden brown on each side.
Tuna burger toppings
When you’ve received your tuna burgers: the very best half is the toppings! Be sure you pair a creamy sauce with these tuna burgers, in any other case the sandwich can be on the dry aspect. Listed here are a few of our favourite sauces and toppings for a tuna burger:
- Chipotle Aioli, Sriracha Aioli, or Truffle Aioli: Aioli is basically flavored mayo: it pairs completely with this burger.
- Remoulade or Tartar Sauce: These sauces are historically served with fish and splendid for topping tuna.
- Particular Burger Sauce: Mix all of your favourite condiments into one sauce! This one’s irresistibly traditional.
- Different veggies & sauces: It’s nice with tomato, purple onion, and lettuce. Or get extra artistic with pickled purple onions, pickled peppers, guacamole, pesto, cheese, spicy mayo, Yum Yum sauce, and extra.

Extra tuna recipes
There’s a lot you are able to do with a can of tuna! Listed here are a couple of extra concepts:
This tuna burger recipe is…
Pescatarian and dairy-free.
Description
These tuna burgers are thick, savory, and irresistible! Pile on the toppings and smother with aioli for a satisfying meal.
- 3 5-ounce cans chicken tuna
- 1 inexperienced onion, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups plain panko or coarse breadcrumbs (or gluten free breadcrumbs*)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for cooking
- 1 recipe Chipotle Aioli, Truffle Aioli, Remoulade, or Tartar Sauce, for serving*
- To serve: purple onion, tomato slices, lettuce, buns
- Drain the tuna and flake it into small items with a fork, smashing up any large chunks. In a medium bowl, combine it with inexperienced onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, panko, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and eggs.
- Kind the dough into 5 small or 6 giant patties. Refrigerate the patties for quarter-hour to agency up the feel (or as much as 24 hours). If desired, use the time to make the aioli, remoulade or tartar sauce.
- When able to prepare dinner, warmth 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a big skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add the burgers and prepare dinner for about 4 to five minutes till calmly browned, then gently flip them with a spatula and prepare dinner about 3 to 4 minutes extra till calmly browned on the opposite aspect.
- Serve on a bun with tomato, purple onion, lettuce, and aioli, remoulade or tartar sauce. Leftovers save properly refrigerated for two to three days.
Notes
*Make certain to have a creamy sauce with these tuna burgers, in any other case the feel can be on the dry aspect.
- Class: Principal Dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Seafood