Tuna or Salmon Burgers Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Tuna or Salmon Burgers Recipe (1)

Total Time
20 minutes, plus 1 hour's refrigeration
Rating
5(654)
Notes
Read community notes

These high-protein burgers are a great way to edge away from beef and still feel like you’re eating a burger. If you sear them quickly they’ll be nice and moist.

Featured in: Burgers Without the Beef

Learn: How to Make Burgers

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Ingredients

Yield:4 burgers

    For the Tuna or Salmon Burgers

    • 1pound center-cut tuna fillet, dark meat and connective tissue trimmed away, or salmon fillet preferably wild, skin and small bones removed
    • ¼cup finely minced shallot or green onion
    • 2tablespoons capers, drained, rinsed and coarsely chopped
    • 2teaspoons grated fresh ginger
    • 1tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
    • Salt
    • freshly ground pepper to taste
    • 1tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 2tablespoons chopped cilantro
    • Olive oil for the griddle or pan
    • Lime wedges for garnish
    • Whole grain hamburger buns
    • condiments of your choice

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. For the Tuna or Salmon Burgers

    1. Step

      1

      Mince the fish using a sharp knife. Do not use a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients (except the olive oil and lime wedges) and blend together with a spatula or spoon. Shape into ½-inch thick patties and refrigerate, if possible, for 1 hour.

    2. Heat a heavy nonstick skillet or a griddle over medium-high heat. Brush with olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Sear the patties for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on how cooked you want the interior to be. Serve on buns, if desired, with the condiments of your choice.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: You can make up the tuna or salmon mixture and form the patties several hours before you wish to cook them. Keep covered in the refrigerator.

Ratings

5

out of 5

654

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

kate

I took mark Bittman's idea of processing a fourth of the salmon to a paste to bind the mixture, worked very well.

Edna josell

Can you us cann d salmon?

Maxine

Since I 've always made salmon patties with a different recipe (using egg and bread crumbs), I thought I 'd try this recipe since it sounded delicious. Wanted to see how they would come out without a binder...the salmon crumbles were very tasty. How were they held together?

Alice Kovler

I always use high quality canned Alaska salmon -- it's inexpensive and delicious.

Richard O

Another way to keep this together is to add a beaten egg to the mixture before searing. I use egg "product."

Alex

Because this recipe can provide a large yield, we always use panko or various breadcrumbs to coat the outsides of the burgers before wrapping them for the freezer. Highly recommend.

Barb

The tip about partially processing the mixture is helpful. We serve these over an Asian slaw that includes julienned snow peas, scallions, peppers and napa cabbage, and drizzle a spicy black bean sauce on top.

Joan

Another way to bind is to grind up a quarter pound of shrimp which can be a substitute for egg or pasted salmon. Shrimp is very glutinous.

Talisra

I put some arugala and salad in the buns which I had slightly roasted in the oven with olive oil eand a tiny bit of Dijon mustard. It was exquisit.

Sam

These held together pretty easily without an additional binder. We grilled them. Maybe that helped...

Tim

I have made literally hundreds of recipes from this site and last night, after making this one for the 2nd time, my wife decided this could be her favorite recipe ever. That's saying a lot.

David B

Made it exactly as written- twice- and didn't have any trouble keeping them together. The 2nd time I froze and then thawed them for just a few hours so that the center would still be frozen and therefore still a little rare when the outside browns. Why anyone would even consider using canned, cooked fish is beyond me.

Bill B

These were the best salmon burgers we've made so far. We liked the chopped up salmon -- not mushed up in a food processor. The seasoning mix was spot-on. We did have some homemade dinner rolls from yesterday, sliced and toasted them and chopped them up and put the bread crumbs in the mix. We also stir-fried the shallots and capers real quick before mixing them in just to make them a little softer.

Jan

Made tuna burgers 06-15-2023 with thawed frozen tuna poke cubes from SMS. Only changes made were:* Finely chopped ¼ lb in mini food processor & mixed with rest of tuna in bowl, then added everything else* used green onions * 1.5 scant tsp pure sesame oil instead of 1TBSP* ⅓ tsp salt a few extra grinds* added 1.5 tsp Aminos * added about 1 TBSP finely chopped mild jalapeño Used new burger press to make 4 patties. Refrigerated them 1 hour before cooking.

Mimi Pond

I bought a buttload of ahi steaks frozen from Costco. I used a couple for this recipe and since it wasn’t sticking together I threw in an egg and some panko because how could that hurt? Served on trader joe brioche buns with a slick of mayo and some herb salad mix. Big thumbs up from the husband, very delicious!

Michael R

Used Yellow Fin Tuna. It was fabulous. I even overcooked it a bit and it was still delicious. Put mayo and sriracha on. Highly recommend. Very messy to make but worth it

jewels

I followed the recipe exactly and they crumble to pieces, however the flavour was excellent and I will try again with panko and egg and some salmon paste.

HZ

I was worried about the binding but found it was fine. I heavily minced the last 1/5 of the salmon and found it bound pretty well, staying in a patty shape with gentle flipping. Topped with Mayo and sriracha, which was a winner.

Chris

I used ahi tuna last night with this recipe. I don't like capers that much and substituted green olives, chopped. With nothing to bind the ingredients, chilling the patties before cooking is key. I didn't have any problems with the patties staying together. And it was delicious. Great recipe.

WeaselBookmite

I always save this recipe for leftover grilled salmon. Adding all the ingredients plus egg and breadcrumbs willMake 2 good sized salmon burgers

channa

This came out great, I used an outdoor burner to cook the patties 2-4 mins each side and then transferred to the grill for 4 mins to get some grill lines. Served with lettuce, taziki, dill, and cucumbers.

corleoja.

Follow the recipe to the T. Absolutely delicious and healthy. My burger didn’t fall apart. Highly recommend it

David B

Made it exactly as written- twice- and didn't have any trouble keeping them together. The 2nd time I froze and then thawed them for just a few hours so that the center would still be frozen and therefore still a little rare when the outside browns. Why anyone would even consider using canned, cooked fish is beyond me.

harenas

Added/changed a couple of ingredients: red onion instead of scallions and 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce that added a touch of spicy flavor. It was delicious!

Tim

I have made literally hundreds of recipes from this site and last night, after making this one for the 2nd time, my wife decided this could be her favorite recipe ever. That's saying a lot.

tony

I tried the recipe with great anticipation. I was not disappointed! I used salmon, mine stayed as a disk and didn’t crumble. I like this recipe, because EVERY other recipe had a binder. Had an Asian flare. LOVE LOVE.Will definitely make again.

Cynthia

I used frozen salmon used a mold to form the patties and wrapped them in plastic wrap and put them in the fridge they held together perfectly. Will be making them again this week

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Tuna or Salmon Burgers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do tuna and salmon go together? ›

Using canned tuna and salmon is a convenient way to get dinner on the table fast. Including cheesy casseroles, crab cake knock-offs, and easy sandwiches, these canned seafood recipes are ideal for mixing up your weeknight dinner routine.

How do you keep tuna patties from falling apart? ›

Make sure to drain the tuna very well. If the tuna patties have too much liquid, they will be more prone to falling apart. A little almond flour helps give them more structure. If you need to be nut-free, try using some sunflower seed flour.

How do you keep salmon burgers from falling apart? ›

Refrigerate The Mix, Use A Sheet Pan

The cooler temperature of the mix will help everything stick together better when the patties are pan-fried, crisping them up nicely. If you have a lot of salmon patties to make, you can even forgo the pan altogether and bake them on a sheet tray in the oven.

Which is healthier, salmon or tuna? ›

While they're both highly nutritious, salmon comes out ahead due to its healthy omega-3 fats and vitamin D. Meanwhile, tuna is the winner if you're instead looking for more protein and fewer calories per serving.

How often can you eat canned tuna and salmon? ›

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , most adults should aim to eat at least 8 ounces, or 2 servings, of fish per week, which can include canned tuna.

Is it OK to have tuna and salmon on the same day? ›

You can consume skipjack and canned light tuna alongside other low-mercury species, such as cod, crab, salmon and scallops, as part of the recommended 2–3 servings of fish per week ( 10 ). Try to avoid eating albacore or yellowfin tuna more than once per week. Refrain from bigeye tuna as much as possible ( 10 ).

Why won't my tuna patties stick together? ›

Tuna patties fall apart when they have too much moisture in them. By pressing as much of the liquid out of the canned tuna as possible, you'll ensure that the mixture is dry enough to hold together.

Why did my salmon patties fall apart? ›

If you add too much egg, for instance, or the canned fish isn't properly drained, the mixture will be too wet and the cakes will fall apart. Too many breadcrumbs, on the other hand, will make your cakes dry and crumbly.

What can you put in tuna to make it taste better? ›

Fresh lemon juice: Brings acidity and brightness to balance the richness of the mayonnaise and tuna. Dijon mustard: Adds tanginess and depth, contributing a subtle sharpness that pairs well with the creamy elements. Sweet pickle relish: Offers sweetness and tanginess, adding complexity and a hint of spice to the salad.

What is the best condiment for a salmon burger? ›

Basics, like ketchup and mustard, are always a winning combination when you're wondering what to serve with salmon burgers. However, the bold taste of grilled sockeye salmon burgers is easy to pair with everything from fresh slaws to herbed sauces to spicy toppings.

Do you put cheese on salmon burgers? ›

Yes, even slathered with Old Bay mayo and topped with cheese—at least compared to beef burgers!

Why are my salmon patties mushy? ›

Cooking the salmon patties at too high a temperature or for too short a time can result in a mushy interior.

Why can I eat tuna but not salmon? ›

The white muscle tissue of fish is especially high in parvalbumins – much higher than in red muscle tissues. This explains why fish species such as tuna, which have mostly red muscle` tissue, are often better tolerated by people who are allergic to fish. Parvalbumins are relatively heat stable.

Which canned tuna is the healthiest? ›

The bottom line

Choosing pole-and-line-caught light skipjack tuna is your best choice for a low mercury and sustainable option. White albacore tuna is best if you're looking for more protein and omega-3 fats with every bite.

Can I eat tuna every day? ›

Canned tuna typically contains either albacore or skipjack tuna, and cans are usually marked as either “albacore” or “chunk light.” Albacore tuna typically has higher concentrations of mercury than chunk light tuna and should be eaten only once or twice a week. Chunk light tuna is safe to eat two or three times a week.

What mixes well with canned tuna? ›

  • Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs. Antonis Achilleos. ...
  • One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon. Joy Howard. ...
  • Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread. Joy Howard. ...
  • Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing. ...
  • Tuna Salad Spread: Add Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Herbs & Spices.
Aug 19, 2022

What pairs best with salmon? ›

Here are 17 of our family favorites to make every one of your sockeye salmon meals deliciously memorable.
  • 10. ...
  • One-Pot Rich Lemon Rice. ...
  • Blueberry Walnut Salad.
  • Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan.
  • Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill.
  • Ramen and Snow Peas. ...
  • Haute Grilled Avocados.
  • Fresh Fruit Salad.

Can you eat tuna and salmon raw? ›

First, let's talk about the types of seafood that can be eaten raw. Here are a few common types of fish eaten raw: seabass, swordfish, salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna and salmon. Other types of seafood, like shrimp, crab, scallops, eel and octopus are also widely and safely eaten raw.

Are tuna and salmon closely related? ›

Tuna and salmon are two different species commonly found on sushi menus.

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