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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Tuna Burgers with Smoked Paprika Mayo

    Author: Amy Fulwood | Published: Sep 26, 2019 | Modified: Apr 23, 2024

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    These canned tuna burgers are so easy to make! The tuna patties are crispy on the outside while still juicy in the centre and they're delicious topped with your choice of greens and a smear of paprika mayo with extra on the side to dip.

    Say hello to your new quick and easy healthy weeknight dinner 👋

    Tuna burgers on a wooden board over a marble background
    Overhead shot of tuna patties on a wooden board with a striped cloth

    This is such a great easy recipe. I love a good burger as much as the next person but the classic beef would probably be the last ingredient I would choose to make my burgers from. 

    Whether it's salmon burgers, mushroom burgers or falafel burgers there's just so many tasty options and this tuna burger is yet another amazing burger recipe and fast becoming one of our favourites.

    It's so quick to make which means they're great for a weeknight plus they taste great cold too so you can serve them up for lunch the next day.

    Jump to:
    • Why we love these burgers...
    • Ingredients
    • How to make tuna burgers
    • Leftovers
    • FAQs
    • Recipe
    Tuna fishcakes in bread rolls on a wooden bread board
    Close up of tuna burgers topped with greens and pickled onions

    Why we love these burgers...

    This recipe is really quick to make and requires only a handful of ingredients so it's great for when you need a simple dinner.

    They're a healthier option than your classic beef burgers because they're made from tuna which is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and other good stuff.

    If you feel like meal prepping then you can make these ahead and then serve them in buns or with salads or any other way you fancy during the week.

    Overhead shot of tuna burger with toppings on a board
    Side shot of tuna patty in a bun on a marble background

    Ingredients

    This section is here to provide further tips and ideas for alternative ingredients. The full recipe and instructions are included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

    Tinned Tuna: I love tuna in oil. Make sure to get dolphin friendly, sustainably sourced stuff

    Eggs: To bind the burgers

    Panko Breadcrumbs: Or use regular breadcrumbs if you can't find panko

    Garlic & Parsley: To flavour the burgers

    Lemon Juice: To add that extra zing

    Burger Buns: I like brioche but you can use what you like

    Smoked Paprika Mayo Sauce: Made from a mixture of store bought mayo, garlic, lemon juice and smoked paprika (hint: add a pinch of chilli powder to make it spicy)

    Fish burger with brioche bun on a marble surface
    Tuna burgers on a board with greens and pickled onions

    How to make tuna burgers

    Make the burger mixture: Add the tuna, eggs, panko, garlic, parsley and lemon juice to a bowl and mix together then divide the mixture and shape into 4 patties.

    Fry the burgers: Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan and fry the burger patties until browned and crispy on both sides.

    Make the mayo: Mix together all of the sauce ingredients. Spread some mayo on a bun and top with the burgers and any other toppings of your choice.

    Leftovers

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. They're delicious served cold or you can reheat in a pan.

    FAQs

    What goes with these burgers?

    I serve these with a big dollop of that smoked paprika mayo and a side of chips. You can also add plenty of other veggies to these burgers like slices of tomato or finely sliced onion. Pretty much anything you'd put in a normal burger!

    Is canned tuna healthy?

    Tuna is full of omega-3 fatty acids and plenty of protein so it's a great healthy choice for a main meal.

    Can these patties be baked instead of fried?

    Yes! Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and heat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Place the patties on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    Can you freeze these burgers?

    You can freeze them, simply mix and form the burgers then wrap or layer between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and put in the freezer. When you're ready to eat you can cook straight from frozen, just cook for longer to make sure they're cooked all the way through.

    Why do my tuna patties fall apart?

    Getting burgers to stay together all comes down to the temperature of the pan. You need to make sure the pan is hot enough, medium high usually works. Once you've added the burgers to the pan with plenty of oil then just leave them there for several minutes until a crust develops and you're able to easily lift the burger from the pan.

    Want more? Try these other fish recipes!

    • Skillet Cod
    • Harissa Roasted Salmon with Potatoes
    • Cod Fish in Tomato Sauce
    • Orzo Pasta Salad with Salmon
    • Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
    • Tuna Pasta Salad with Feta & Pine Nuts
    • Salmon Gnocchi Bake with Spinach

    Recipe

    Side shot of tuna patty in a bun on a marble background

    Tuna Burgers with Smoked Paprika Mayo

    These canned tuna burgers are so easy to make! They're crispy on the outside while still juicy in the centre and they're delicious topped with your choice of greens and a smear of paprika mayo.
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 burgers
    Calories: 362kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    • 2 160g tins Tuna drained
    • 2 Eggs
    • 45 g Panko Breadcrumbs
    • 1 clove Garlic crushed
    • Small bunch Parsley chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • 4 Burger Buns I like brioche
    • Handful Rocket or other leafy green of your choice

    For the Smoked Paprika Mayo

    • 4 tablespoon Mayo
    • 1 clove Garlic crushed
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • Salt to taste
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Mix together the tuna, eggs, panko, garlic, parsley and lemon juice in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties.
    • Heat a drizzle of olive oil over a medium high heat and fry the burgers for 5 minutes on each side until browned.
    • Mix together the mayo, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika and a little salt. Serve the burgers in buns with the mayo and greens.
    Nutrition Facts
    Tuna Burgers with Smoked Paprika Mayo
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 362 Calories from Fat 135
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 15g23%
    Saturated Fat 3g15%
    Cholesterol 116mg39%
    Sodium 614mg26%
    Potassium 250mg7%
    Carbohydrates 31g10%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 24g48%
    Vitamin A 226IU5%
    Vitamin C 4mg5%
    Calcium 121mg12%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image for tuna burgers with text overlay

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    Comments

    1. sky says

      June 02, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      these were incredible, a new staple in my house!

      Reply
    2. Emmy says

      October 20, 2021 at 11:00 pm

      Sooo good and easy to make! Even my 3 year old loves them!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        December 01, 2021 at 7:50 pm

        Thanks Emmy!

        Reply
    3. Tia-Rose says

      April 10, 2020 at 1:20 am

      These were such a big hit in my house, even got a picky 7 year old asking for more. They will definitely be put onto our weekly rotation, made a few adjustments nothing major just down to personal tastes within the family. Would recommend
      Thank you for a great recipe, will be back for sure to see what other tasty recipes I can find!

      Reply
      • Amy says

        April 11, 2020 at 2:43 pm

        I'm so happy to hear this, thanks so much!

        Reply
        • Jill says

          April 20, 2020 at 5:27 pm

          5 stars
          Can leftover grilled tuna steak be used instead? Tia!

          Reply
          • Amy says

            April 20, 2020 at 8:43 pm

            Hi Jill, sure you could, as long as you can flake it to mix with the other ingredients then it should work 🙂

            Reply
    4. Tayler Ross says

      September 27, 2019 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      I already have everything I need to make these burgers, so we're having them for dinner tonight! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Priya Shiva says

      September 27, 2019 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! these tuna burgers looks so good! I love the pictures too!

      Reply
    6. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      September 27, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      You got such a beautiful crust on those patties -- I'm impressed. The sandwiches look really hearty and I particularly like those fresh pops of pickled onions. Great idea with canned tuna!

      Reply
    7. Angela says

      September 27, 2019 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      Such a fabulous idea! I always have cans of tuna on hand and never thought of serving it this way. Can't wait to show this one off to friends. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    8. Kelly Anthony says

      September 27, 2019 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      What a great quick healthy weeknight meal. I haven't made tuna burgers before and I'm hoping my kids will love them.

      Reply
    4.91 from 10 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Hey, I'm Amy Fulwood!

    Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

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