Updated: by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 18 Comments
Lemon Thyme Tuna Burgers are a fun way to use those cans of tuna you may have collecting dust in your pantry.
I originally posted this idea back in 2012. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the original photos to re-edit so I'm stuck with the tiny ones. Regardless, I thank Dana who requested this recipe. It was another one I totally forgot about!
Here is the original post. Below is the printable version.
Sometimes I’ll make something get obsessed and make it over and over and over again.
It happened twice last week.
First with The Most Amazing Bowl of Oatmeal EVER! I now have to stop myself from eating it every single morning. I decided to make a deal with myself and alternate eggs and oatmeal for breakfast from now on. Today was an omelet. Tomorrow you can bet I’ll be going to town on some banana, peanut butter, and chocolate oatmeal.
The other was this Lemon Thyme Tuna Burger.
Here’s what I did…
Ingredients
5oz Can Of Light Tuna packed in Water drained well
1 egg white
30g of Old Fashioned Oats
¼ cup of celery chopped small
¼ cup of onion chopped small
Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in a bowl…
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Form the tuna mixture into 2 equal-sized patties and add them directly to the skillet. The patties will set in the pan and may not stay formed unless cooked.
Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes then flip carefully.
Cook for about another 2 minutes until warmed through.
Remove from skillet.
My favorite way to eat these is on a whole wheat sandwich thin with a bed of baby spinach and a small squirt of ketchup.
I’ve also been known just to take a fork to them. 🙂
📖 Recipe
Lemon Thyme Tuna Burgers
Roni Noone
Lemon Thyme Tuna Burgers are a fun way to use those cans of tuna you may have collecting dust in your pantry. Low fat and a good source of protein!
5 oz Can Of Light Tuna packed in Water drained well, 1 egg white, 30 g of Old Fashioned Oats, ¼ cup of celery chopped small, ¼ cup of onion chopped small, Pinch of Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Form the tuna mixture into 2 equal-sized patties and add them directly to the skillet. The patties will set in the pan and may not stay formed unless cooked.
Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes then flip carefully.
Cook for about another 2 minutes until warmed through.
I made these tonight, wasn't sure how I was going to like them because I'm not a big tuna girl, but they were really yummy. Mine didn't really want to stay together so well either, but it wasn't too bad and I blame it on myself for not draining the water in the can enough. The flavor was great though. I added some creole seasoning, added a little extra flavor spice. YUM! Thank You for the recipe.
I'm sorry you had trouble with them. You really can't keep flipping them. They have to set. Let them in the pan for a few minutes and then one careful flip is all you need.
I made these and weren't so happy with making these. They taste great and all though! They just weren't sticking together when I cooked them. They continuesly fell apart each time I flipped them, so I practically had to eat them not on a bun, but with a fork because they weren't sticking together.. I was disappointed. 🙁
I made a variation of these for dinner tonight... I substituted cumin for the thyme and omitted the celery. I topped them with peach ginger relish and served with spinach on a honey wheat English muffin. Awesome!
This looks so good! I've tried your other tuna burgers and they are amazing! Great for a quick pick me up while I'm chasing the kids I nanny. Run after the 4 yr old, take a bite, settle war between the 9 and 14 yr old, take a bite. Brilliant! I just need to make sure I make them before I go over. This is definitely going to be my snack today. Thank you! Your website is such an inspiration for a girl on the go. 😀
Hey Roni, I made the tuna burgers on Thursday night. They were wonderful!! I did put the second one in the fridge & had it for dinner last night. Tasted like I had just made it! No fishy taste & the texture was the same. I will make these again very soon!! Yummo!!
Made these for me and my Mom yesterday and we both loved them! Wondering if anyone has tried to freeze this kind of thong before and what results they had. Would love to make ahead and keep on hand.
They hold together pretty well but you have to make sure they "set". Don't flip too much or they will fall apart. As for fishy... I don't think so. It is soft through but not soggy.
Looks like another awesome recipe! I've got everything I need to make these. I know what I am having for dinner!
Question...How do these heat up? Do they get soggy or fishy? I am not really a fishy fish kinda girl.
Thanks Roni! :O)
I love fresh tuna steaks but loathe canned tuna. It grosses me out. I love this idea. I think it would be very tasty with canned chicken or chick peas pulsed in the food processor to break them down a little.
Well 30g of breadcrumbs would be different then 30g of breadcrumbs but it would be about 1/3 of a cup. I'm sure it would work, I just like to use oats.
Charlene
I made these tonight, wasn't sure how I was going to like them because I'm not a big tuna girl, but they were really yummy. Mine didn't really want to stay together so well either, but it wasn't too bad and I blame it on myself for not draining the water in the can enough. The flavor was great though. I added some creole seasoning, added a little extra flavor spice. YUM! Thank You for the recipe.
roni
I'm sorry you had trouble with them. You really can't keep flipping them. They have to set. Let them in the pan for a few minutes and then one careful flip is all you need.
Jennifer
I made these and weren't so happy with making these. They taste great and all though! They just weren't sticking together when I cooked them. They continuesly fell apart each time I flipped them, so I practically had to eat them not on a bun, but with a fork because they weren't sticking together.. I was disappointed. 🙁
Cheryl D
Made these for lunch today - but substituted red bell pepper for the celery (we were out). These are soooooo good! Pinning this now!
Stephanie
I made these last week and they were yummy! I served on an english muffin smeared with laughing cow light and spinach. YUM!
Jennifer
I made a variation of these for dinner tonight... I substituted cumin for the thyme and omitted the celery. I topped them with peach ginger relish and served with spinach on a honey wheat English muffin. Awesome!
roni
Good thing they are good at room temperature too! 😉
Melissa Moo
This looks so good! I've tried your other tuna burgers and they are amazing! Great for a quick pick me up while I'm chasing the kids I nanny. Run after the 4 yr old, take a bite, settle war between the 9 and 14 yr old, take a bite. Brilliant! I just need to make sure I make them before I go over. This is definitely going to be my snack today. Thank you! Your website is such an inspiration for a girl on the go. 😀
Jessie
I loooove this idea. This is going on to my meal plan for the next week!!!
Kelly Eaton
Hey Roni, I made the tuna burgers on Thursday night. They were wonderful!! I did put the second one in the fridge & had it for dinner last night. Tasted like I had just made it! No fishy taste & the texture was the same. I will make these again very soon!! Yummo!!
roni
I haven't but if you cook them I don't see why it wouldn't be fine. You could simply warm in the microwave when ready to eat!
Mindy
Made these for me and my Mom yesterday and we both loved them! Wondering if anyone has tried to freeze this kind of thong before and what results they had. Would love to make ahead and keep on hand.
roni
They hold together pretty well but you have to make sure they "set". Don't flip too much or they will fall apart. As for fishy... I don't think so. It is soft through but not soggy.
If you try them let me know what you think!
kelly
Looks like another awesome recipe! I've got everything I need to make these. I know what I am having for dinner!
Question...How do these heat up? Do they get soggy or fishy? I am not really a fishy fish kinda girl.
Thanks Roni! :O)
Valerie
I love fresh tuna steaks but loathe canned tuna. It grosses me out. I love this idea. I think it would be very tasty with canned chicken or chick peas pulsed in the food processor to break them down a little.
roni
Well 30g of breadcrumbs would be different then 30g of breadcrumbs but it would be about 1/3 of a cup. I'm sure it would work, I just like to use oats.
cami
do you think I could just use bread crumbs rather than oats? and, since I am lazy, what is 30g equivalent to in spoons/cups? thanks!
Reen
Got my attention here! Must try! Must get tuna!