Tuna Burgers
Tuna burgers aren’t quite as popular, in my opinion, as salmon burgers. It’s probably because salmon is more fatty and moist, so burgers made with prepared salmon are more apt to be moist and tender.
Tuna doesn’t have the richness of salmon, but it is delicate and flaky, and can definitely lend itself to a burger-type preparation.
So whenever I grill a large amount of tuna, I saved the leftover tuna for burgers.
The fun thing with tuna burgers is that so many approaches can be taken. Do you want Asian burgers? Easy! Do you want them Indian? Really easy! Mexican? Sure!
For these burgers, I decided on Mediterranean flavors.
Mediterranean-Inspired Tuna Burgers
Leftover grilled tuna, about 8 ounces, at room temperature
2 eggs
2 tablespoons good mayonnaise
Roasted red bell peppers, diced
Kalamata olives, diced
2 shallots, minced
Chopped parsley
Sweet paprika
Salt
White pepper
Crumbled goat cheese
Bread crumbs, as necessary
Crumble or chop the tuna and place in a small bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. Whisk in the mayonnaise. Add the bell peppers, olives, shallots, and parsley and gently stir. Season with the paprika, salt, and pepper.
Combine with the flaked tuna. Add goat cheese to taste.
Slowly add bread crumbs just until the mixture firms up. (See note.) Form four burgers, place them in a baking dish, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the burgers until lightly browned, about 15-20 minutes.
Serve hot.
I included a capered mayonnaise with these burgers, which I served without bread.
A good mustard or mustard-mayo mixture would be good, too. Or mayonnaise mixed with paprika creme.
I hope you can tell how tender the tuna burgers are.
Note: When I catered ladies’ lunches for one special client, she often asked me to make crab cakes. They weren’t that unique, but I do believe that they were popular because of their moistness. If you make crab cakes or tuna burgers meat-heavy instead of breadcrumb-heavy, they are a little harder to work with, but they will be tastier and much more enjoyable.
They look very tasty Mimi.
Thank you Conor!
Delicious!
Definitely!
I love that you’ve used goat cheese in the burgers, sounds delicious!
Thank you!
I love any type of fish burger and there is so much colour in these. They look amazing Mimi.
Thank you. They were really good.
These do look lovely with all the different ingredients showing through. I’ve never tried tuna cakes before, but I do love any kind of fish cakes on my menu.
Agree. They so fun, and it’s a great way to use leftovers!
If I ate burgers, and fish, I’d go for something like this :)
I’ll take. That as a compliment!
😀
Love those Mediterranean flavours … goats’ cheese and olives, mmmm!
Some of the best ingredients!
I actually prefer tuna cakes to salmon cakes. I add different veggies and seasoning to mine, but will definitely going to try your Mediterranean version soon. I especially like the addition of goat cheese. Wonderful. )
Thank you Ronit!
Oh what a great idea!
Thank you!
I have to be really honest, maybe, I have never thought of using cook tonight to make tuna burgers! I’ve always simply use raw tuna… And, of course, worried about it being cooked through. I will give this a try – probably with your Mediterranean flavors. Usually, with tuna, we opt for Asian flavors. It’s time to shake things up!
Well definitely Asian and tuna go together. It’s part of the fun in my kitchen for me – applying different flavors to make something completely different. I love using Southwestern flavors as well in dishes – even pasta!
They look delicious, love the seasoning you used :)
Thank you!
I’m sure I’d enjoy this very much. And it looks really easy, too.
Is there anything in home cooking that’s difficult? Maybe some filled pastas…
Thank you!
I just discovered tuna burgers and thought they were yummy. I’m not a fan of salmon because it’s too fishy for me but tuna is perfect. Thanks for more ideas! :)
Oh I get that. Well you’d love these!
Oh yum! We have to add these tuna burgers to our collection of non-meat burgers (I am vegetarian-pescatarian). They look so moist and flaky and I love that you went Mediterranean on the flavors :-) !
Thank you! I personally couldn’t be a true vegetarian – I’d have to be a pescatarian also. I practically am!
Yes! Let’s hear it for tuna everything! Have you been missing?!!
I just bought a punch of tuna at Costco and now I know what to do with them. Thanks Mimi!
You are so welcome!
Would you hate me if I tried this with leftover grilled salmon? Tonight? GREG
You know that it would be fabulous with salmon! I’d just received a huge amount of tuna chunks from a friend of mine whose husband fishes around the world, so it was a good way to use up the leftovers. Salmon is my favorite fish!!! Unless raw, and then it’s tuna.
You’re right — I almost never make tuna burgers, and make salmon burgers all the time. Really need to change that — these look terrific! Thanks.
Salmon burgers are so good, but tuna burgers can be, too! As long as they’re not dry or overcooked of course.
What a great idea to use goat cheese in these glorious burgers! :) I’m always looking for fish recipes during Lent, but these are going on my must make anytime.
Mollie
Thank you Mollie!
Thank you!
I actually like salmon only “in moderation” because I often find the taste quite fatty, so even though tuna burgers may be less popular, I think its a great idea! Thanks for the recipe xx
I can see that, although it’s probably my favorite fish. Tuna burgers are wonderful, and you can apply so many different kinds of flavors to them. PS Can you please play Beethoven on your instagram videos?
I haven’t played Beethoven in years! Last time a few years ago I was studying the Pathetique and then halfway through I got distracted with some other pieces and sort of forgot about it… Having another look at it again soon may be a nice idea! xx
Oh my god, please never forget Beethoven!
I won’t forget him, don’t worry!
Way more talented than Brahms
Hahaha!
Yum! Yum!
Thank you Thank you!
I think I know what to make next!! These look really good!!