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The most flavorful fish burger that is also the most easy. These tilapia burgers are gluten-free, low carb and freeze really well. A healthy  fish sandwich that is served with the best homemade tartar sauce recipe.

A side view of a tilapia burger on a bun with French fries

This is one of my favorite, ‘old’ recipes from 2014 that I updated with new images and a video.

Fresh lemon and dill pair so well with any seafood. These are the predominant flavors going on this tilapia sandwich, but not so much so this mildly flavored fish doesn’t get overpowered.

A tilapia burger patty on a bed of lettuce and a bottom bun

Tilapia is a firm, mild flavored fish and the firmness makes it perfect for making into burgers.  The same flavors used are carried over in a delicious tartar sauce to spread on the burgers with capers, dill pickles, fresh dill and lemon zest. 

Coleslaw on top of a tilapia burger

I mixed store-bought coleslaw blend with the tartar sauce for a wonderful crunchy topping or side.

There are no breadcrumbs or egg that you would usually find as binder in crab/fish cakes in this burger making them gluten-free and low carb (if you omit the bun, of course).  Instead, part of the fish is blended into a paste with Dijon mustard which serves as the ‘glue’ to hold them together.

Tartar sauce in a bowl garnished with lemon zest

Freezing Fish Burgers

These tilapia burgers freeze really well. Best when individually wrapped well in plastic wrap and stored in a sealed container so you can defrost as many or as little as you need.

Defrost in the fridge overnight and cook according to the recipe.

More Burger Recipes:

Yield: 4

Tilapia Burgers

A tilapia burger in a bun with lettuce and coleslaw

Tilapia is a mild white fish that's perfect to take on the myriad of flavors in this delicious burger.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the tartar sauce:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickles, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • For the burgers:
  • 1 ½ pounds (679 grams) tilapia filets, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons chives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Add all of the tartar sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate.
  2. Add the tilapia to a food processor along with lemon zest, salt and pepper. Pulse to chop into small pieces. Take ¾ of the chopped tilapia and transfer to a bowl. Add the Dijon mustard to the food processor and pulse to make a paste (this will be the binder to hold them together). Remove and add to the bowl with the rest of the tilapia. Add the chives and dill, mix well.
  3. Divide the into 4 equal parts. Take 1/4 and firmly form into a ball, then shape into a patty. Repeat with the rest of the tilapia and refrigerate for 30 minutes (this will prevent them breaking apart when cooking).
  4. Preheat a cast iron skillet, or non-stick sauté pan over medium high heat and add oil. When the oil starts to ripple carefully place the burgers in the pan, you can work in batches if they don’t all fit. Cook for 4-5 minutes, do not move. When they are browned and lift easily from the pan, they are ready to turn. Cook 3-4 minutes on the other side. Remove.
    Serve with the tartar sauce.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1 burger
Amount Per Serving Calories 317Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 23gCholesterol 30mgSodium 350mgCarbohydrates 4gProtein 15g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

© Culinary Ginger
Cuisine: American / Category: Dinner Ideas