Tuna Burger Recipe
Mix things up this month with a light and flavorful Ahi Tuna Burger Recipe topped with sweet Grilled Pineapple. Big island flavor stacked high on a bun!
Tuna Burger Recipe – Hawaiian Style!
Hawaii is my happy place. Particularly the island of Kauai.
Lt. Dan and I took what we thought would be our last big vacation, right before our first child was born. It’s funny to me now, that we thought we wouldn’t be able to travel again for years. We determined we had better go somewhere spectacular before it was too late.
Well, we were wrong about travel opportunities, but we were right about Hawaii being special.
Every time we visit, we spend a hefty portion of our time trying to figure out a way we could move there and make a living.
It’s the weather… The lush green mountains and tropical plants, the pristine beaches, the vibrant produce at every corner market, the hidden waterfalls, the fresh seafood, the slow-paced island lifestyle, the outdoor activities, and of course, the “aloha spirit.”
Living in Hawaii is a dream that may, or may not come true.
Yet every time I think of Hawaii my heart smiles. I remember all of the little things that make it magical and I want to relive those things again and again.
Ahi Tuna Burgers
So to finish off Burger Month, I offer you a burger with Aloha Spirit, Ahi Tuna Burgers with Grilled Pineapple.
The foundation of this tuna burger recipe is the poke-inspired ahi tuna patties. I diced Ahi tuna and mixed it as if I were making Hawaiian Poke. Then I added an egg and some bread crumbs so that the poke would hold together as patties.
This Ahi Tuna Burger Recipe is delicate. The patties aren’t grilling patties, but need to be cooked on a flat surface to hold their shape. It’s important not to overcook them, since poke is a raw dish. I like to cook them so that the outside of each patty is seared, but the inside is still a little pink.
To complete this Hawaii-inspired Ahi Tuna Burgers Recipe with Grilled Pineapple, I whipped up a quick hoisin mustard and topped them with grilled pineapple and fresh avocado slices.
My Tuna Burger Recipe offers a mouthful of paradise in each bite!
Ingredients For Tuna Burgers
For the Ahi Tuna Patties –
- Ahi tuna steaks diced
- Soy sauce
- Light mayonnaise (or full-fat mayo)
- Sriracha chili sauce
- Egg
- Chopped scallions, greens and whites
- Fresh ginger
- Sesame seeds
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Sesame oil for cooking
For the Hoisin Mustard –
- Dijon mustard
- Hoisin sauce
- Honey or sugar
For the Tuna Burgers –
- Hamburger buns
- Slices fresh pineapple, round
- Ripe avocado sliced
- Butter lettuce leaves
How to Make Tuna Burgers
- Mix all the ingredients for the ahi tuna patties in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and press into patties. Preheat the griddle pan (or a skillet) to medium heat. Once it’s very hot, brush the surface with sesame oil and place the patties on the hot surface. Sear the patties for 3 minutes per side, so the interior ahi chunks are still a little pink. Flip carefully. These patties are fragile.
- Then immediately grill or sear the pineapple slices for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Whisk together the ingredients for the hoisin mustard. Then spread the mustard on the buns and stack the burgers with lettuce, ahi tuna patties, grilled pineapple, and fresh avocado slices. Serve warm!
Ahi Tuna Burgers Recipe Variations
- Not a fan of tuna? Make these burgers with fresh salmon instead!
- Swap the toppings with slaw, shredded red cabbage, sliced tomato, pickled onions, and/or wasabi mayo!
- Go Gluten-Free! These burgers can be made GF. Be sure to swap the buns, breadcrumbs, and soy sauce with your favorite gluten-free options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since these tuna burger patties are so delicate, I wouldn’t recommend grilling them on a traditional grill. You could use an indoor grill or cast iron skillet instead!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days! Reheat in a pan, microwave or air fryer until heated through. To freeze, wrap each burger individually with plastic wrap, then place in a freezer safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and eating.
More Burger Recipes
- Greek Burgers
- Mediterranean Burger
- Spicy Cowboy Burger
- Aloha BBQ Sliders ~ Tidy Mom
- Crab Cake Sliders ~ The Comfort of Cooking
- Poblano Avocado Turkey Burger ~ Ruffles & Truffles
Ahi Tuna Burger Recipe
Ingredients
For the Ahi Tuna Patties:
- 2 pounds ahi tuna steaks diced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha chili sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup chopped scallions, greens and whites
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- Sesame oil for cooking
For the Hoisin Mustard:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
For the Tuna Burgers:
- 6 hamburger buns
- 6 slices fresh pineapple, round
- 1 ripe avocado sliced
- 6 leaves butter lettuce
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the ahi tuna patties in a large bowl. Divide into 6 equal portions and press into patties. Preheat the griddle (or a skillet) to medium heat. Once it’s very hot, brush the surface with sesame oil and place the patties on the hot surface. Sear the patties for 3 minutes per side, so the interior ahi chunks are still a little pink. Flip carefully. These patties are fragile.
- Then immediately grill or sear the pineapple slices for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Whisk together the ingredients for the hoisin mustard. Then spread the mustard on the buns and stack the burgers with lettuce, ahi tuna patties, grilled pineapple, and fresh avocado slices. Serve warm!
grilled pineapple is very new to me. cannot wait to make my husband cook this dish and try it xD
Absolutely stunning! A very original!
Who says burgers are unhealthy?