Crispy and flavorful tuna burger patties paired with crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes, team up to give you a light yet satisfying meal. These burgers are mouth-wateringly tasty! So simple to make and a great alternative to a traditional beef burger.Editor's note: In 2020, this recipe was one of the top 10 most popular Diet Doctor recipes. We hope you love it as well!
July 2 2020 recipe by Milad Vince Naghieh
, photo by Naomi Sherman, nutritional review by Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE in Recipes, Lunch, Meal
Crispy and flavorful tuna burger patties paired with crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes, team up to give you a light yet satisfying meal. These burgers are mouth-wateringly tasty! So simple to make and a great alternative to a traditional beef burger.Editor's note: In 2020, this recipe was one of the top 10 most popular Diet Doctor recipes. We hope you love it as well!
USMetric
4 servingservings
Ingredients
Crispy tuna burgers
- 1¼ lbs 550 g canned tuna in water, drained
- ¾ cup 180 ml mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
- 2 2 large egglarge eggs
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp olive oil, divided, for frying
Serving
- 2 (8 oz.) 2 (230 g) tomato, thinly slicedtomatoes, thinly sliced
- 3 oz. (1½ cups) 85 g (350 ml) leafy greens or lettuce
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
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Making low carb simple
Instructions
Mix the ingredients together (minus the oil) in a medium-sized bowl. Shape the mixture into small burgers, about 2 inches (5 cm) wide and 0.4 inch (1 cm) thick.
Pan-fry the burgers in batches. Add enough oil to coat the base of a large frying pan. Once the oil becomes hot over medium heat, place the tuna patties in the pan, lightly pressing the surfaces with a spatula. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
To serve, add a few lettuce leaves to each plate, and top each leaf with a tuna burger, tomato slice, and a dollop of mayonnaise (3 burgers, per portion). Salt and pepper to taste.
Tip
To make the burgers extra crispy, add 1.5 cup (170 g) of shredded cheese to the tuna burger mix, and reduce the mayonnaise to 5 tbsp for 4 servings.
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💬 Have you tried this recipe?
What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
43 comments
- 2 comments removed
3
Reggie
August 11 2020
This is GOOD! A little runny though.
Replies: #4, #14
4
Reply to comment #3 by Reggie
Jill Wallentin Team Diet Doctor
August 13 2020
Hi Reggie!
Yeah, I was really amazed at how good these were 😍.What did you think was runny, the tuna "batter"?
Best,
Jill5
Karmyn
August 21 2020
It definitely was not runny for me whatsoever, I don't know how it would be runny other than putting in too much mayonnaise or forgetting to drain the tuna. These are great!! I always want to eat tuna but I've always been used to eating it with crackers, so this helps a lot since crackers don't fit very well with the Keto Diet. My picky boyfriend couldn't stop eating these either
Reply: #6
6
Reply to comment #5 by Karmyn
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
August 21 2020
It definitely was not runny for me whatsoever, I don't know how it would be runny other than putting in too much mayonnaise or forgetting to drain the tuna. These are great!! I always want to eat tuna but I've always been used to eating it with crackers, so this helps a lot since crackers don't fit very well with the Keto Diet. My picky boyfriend couldn't stop eating these either
I'm glad that you enjoyed them. Thank you for taking the time to let us know!
7
Marilyn Holmes
August 25 2020
While the flavor of this dish was pretty good, despite my following the recipe to the letter it turned out to be more of a tuna sloppy joe.
I spent more time scraping burnt cheese out of the pan than I did preparing the meal. That said, it did taste good but I won't make it again.8
Kathyhenning75
August 28 2020
What is 2/5 cup? Google don’t want to tell me...
Reply: #9
9
Reply to comment #8 by Kathyhenning75
Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
August 28 2020
What is 2/5 cup? Google don’t want to tell me...
The scalable nature of Diet Doctor recipes is wonderful, but not all measurements scale well. 2/5 is about 6 tablespoons.
10
Jac
October 23 2020
Yes came out runny. Will get shain with cheese. But taste was great.
11
Susanna
October 30 2020
Make sure you drain the tuna
Use less mayo and add a tbs or two of bread crumbs to hold the tuna together.Reply: #12
12
Reply to comment #11 by Susanna
Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
October 30 2020
Make sure you drain the tuna
Use less mayo and add a tbs or two of bread crumbs to hold the tuna together.As this is a keto recipe, traditional bread crumbs would not be recommended.
Reply: #22
13
Szczepanik2004
January 23 2021
Sooo good! Not runny at all. Nice and crispy. I used chunky tuna and drained water.
14
Reply to comment #3 by Reggie
michelle d
February 4 2021
Mine also was runny. Then I realized the recipe calls for 1-1/4 lbs (POUNDS) of canned tuna. So I adjusted the remaining ingredients to align with (1) one can of tuna. I also reduced the mayo and added shredded cheese to make them extra crispy. One can made two ABSOLUTELY PHENOMINAL burgers!!!! I'm not kidding. These were FANTASTIC. I had one for lunch today, topped with a homemade avocado sauce and wrapped in two large romaine leaves. YUUUUUMMMMMYYYY!!!
15
Roxanna
February 6 2021
These were really good! Thank you very much for this recipe! Was a hit with the kids. I added some shredded mozzarella and some dried chives. I did not add mayo to the batter, just as a condiment.
Reply: #16
16
Reply to comment #15 by Roxanna
Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
February 6 2021
These were really good! Thank you very much for this recipe! Was a hit with the kids. I added some shredded mozzarella and some dried chives. I did not add mayo to the batter, just as a condiment.
Sounds great! So glad you all enjoyed them!
17
Chalkie
February 16 2021
These were amazing. I used a little less mayo and coated them in almond meal mixed with sesame seed just because I like crunch coating. Really nice and easy recipe. Thank you again DD
Reply: #18
18
Reply to comment #17 by Chalkie
Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
February 16 2021
These were amazing. I used a little less mayo and coated them in almond meal mixed with sesame seed just because I like crunch coating. Really nice and easy recipe. Thank you again DD
Thank you for sharing your tips and feedback!
19
Helen E
March 24 2021
Mine fell apart, which makes me think I should have squeezed the water out, not just let it drain. Will try that next time. Taste was excellent though!
20
Barbara
April 11 2021
I made the extra-crispy version with grated cheese. I'm not always happy with the results of pan frying, but these turned out great. Very light, crispy on the outside. If you don't like the "fishy" taste of tuna, try these. P. S. I used three 7oz cans of tuna, well drained. They were a bit on the squishy side uncooked, but fried up nice and crisp.
21
See AlsoLou Malnati’s Pizza Dough Recipedvoragordon
April 15 2021
Mine were also a little runny so I added a bit of psyllium husk. I didn't think of measuring so that I could post here. They came out perfect, didn't fall apart and were delicious.
22
Reply to comment #12 by Crystal Pullen
Cassieoz
May 4 2021
I used a shake of finely crushed pork rinds to soak up a little
23
Jay
May 20 2021
What is one serving of this? Three burgers? Is this video of two servings then? I saw 3 burgers per portion for the mayonnaise but wasn't sure if that meant per portion of mayonnaise.
Reply: #24
24
Reply to comment #23 by Jay
Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
May 21 2021
What is one serving of this? Three burgers? Is this video of two servings then? I saw 3 burgers per portion for the mayonnaise but wasn't sure if that meant per portion of mayonnaise.
Hi, Jay! The default number of servings is 4, and each serving will be 3 small burgers.
25
Francisco E
June 15 2021
I'd like to know how can I tell how much of each meal to eat to meat the required % in net carbs, fat and protein. Should each meal contain 2 servings or 4 servings per meal?
Reply: #26
26
Reply to comment #25 by Francisco E
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
June 15 2021
I'd like to know how can I tell how much of each meal to eat to meat the required % in net carbs, fat and protein. Should each meal contain 2 servings or 4 servings per meal?
1 serving is designed to be 1 meal for 1 person.
27
Briar
September 27 2021
I've just made these for the second time tonight - A BIG hit with the family. The mixture does feel very soft and runnyish but cook up to be firm and crunchy (I don't add the cheese). I also used slightly less mayo than the recipe says :) Super delicious and can see they will be on the weekly menu :)
28
Dawn Marie
October 4 2021
This was delicious and satisfying!
29
Ria
October 11 2021
Is the amount of tuna drained weight or before draining?
Reply: #31
30
JANICE
October 12 2021
I was a bit skeptical about hot tuna but I was delightfully surprised how good these were! Instead of plain mayo I used the spicy mayo recipe from the Asian keto chicken stir-fry with broccoli. Aside from just draining the water from the tuna I pressed a paper towel into the can to soak up any remaining water. I would definately make these again!
31
Reply to comment #29 by Ria
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
October 12 2021
Is the amount of tuna drained weight or before draining?
The weight is the amount you would use in the recipe, so after draining.
32
Carolyn
December 31 2021
Could you swap the tuna for another meat such as pork or chicken mince?
ThanksReply: #33
33
Reply to comment #32 by Carolyn
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
December 31 2021
Could you swap the tuna for another meat such as pork or chicken mince?
ThanksYou can use any ground meat that you prefer. You would want to make sure to cook them through, as the canned tuna is already cooked.
Reply: #39
34
Jayne
January 14 2022
Although I drained the tuna very thoroughly the mixture was too sloppy to cook as a patty. Easily solved though by draining another can of tuna and adding that to the mix (without adding extra of the other ingredients). Which also meant I have tomorrow’s lunch prepped and ready to go! It was really delicious and a welcome warm addition to the accompanying green salad.
Reply: #35
35
Reply to comment #34 by Jayne
Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
January 14 2022
Although I drained the tuna very thoroughly the mixture was too sloppy to cook as a patty. Easily solved though by draining another can of tuna and adding that to the mix (without adding extra of the other ingredients). Which also meant I have tomorrow’s lunch prepped and ready to go! It was really delicious and a welcome warm addition to the accompanying green salad.
So glad you enjoyed them, Jayne! Leftovers are always a plus!
36
Barbara
February 2 2022
I love this recipe because I always have the ingredients on hand, even at the last minute. I like to make these with cheese for a crispier texture, usually fry them in coconut oil. Easy and delicious.
37
Janet
February 28 2022
How many cans of tuna for 4 servings?
Reply: #38
38
Reply to comment #37 by Janet
Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
February 28 2022
How many cans of tuna for 4 servings?
Hi, Janet! This will depend on what size cans you're using. Cans will indicate the weight for each, so your best bet is to add the weights of the cans together until you get your desired amount based on your number of servings.
39
Reply to comment #33 by Kristin Parker
LeliaD
March 6 2022
You could also use canned salmon, which I love cooked this way. I eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But I've never thought of eating tuna for breakfast. . .I'll have to try it fried in patties like this.
40
Barb
March 25 2022
Instead of how many POUNDS of tuna could you help me out by translating that to the numbers of tins please? And what size. Thanks.
Reply: #41
41
Reply to comment #40 by Barb
Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
March 28 2022
Instead of how many POUNDS of tuna could you help me out by translating that to the numbers of tins please? And what size. Thanks.
You can use the switch above the list of ingredients to change to metric if you'd prefer to see grams rather than pounds for the weight of the tuna. As tuna is sold in cans or tins of varying weights, the number of tins would depend on what size they are. 550 g canned tuna in water, drained is what is called for in metric weight.
42
Laura Reifschlager
November 15 2022
I see cheese referenced in the comments but not seeing the cheese in the ingredient list. What kind of cheese and how much?
Reply: #43
43
Reply to comment #42 by Laura Reifschlager
Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
November 15 2022
I see cheese referenced in the comments but not seeing the cheese in the ingredient list. What kind of cheese and how much?
Hi, Laura! The cheese is referenced in the tip section. "To make the burgers extra crispy, add 1.5 cup (170 g) of shredded cheese to the tuna burger mix, and reduce the mayonnaise to 5 tbsp for 4 servings."
Reply: #44
44
Reply to comment #43 by Kerry Merritt
Laura Reifschlager
November 16 2022
Thank you. I missed the tip!
45
Debra
February 4 2023
To all,
Mine was not runny...however, first, I drained my tuna very WELL...(Like squeeze it dry)...add your ingredients. If it is still too wet, try adding a few teaspoons at a time of almond meal or other keto friendly nut flour/other. I also added shredded cheddar cheese to the mix which will absorb some wetness as well. Secondly, fry these in hot oil; otherwise the burgers will soak up the oil and fall apart. They were delish and fried up crisp and crunchy as pictured. I also placed in a hot oven for 10 minutes on a wire rack just to add more to the crunch. I'll be making this again.
