Mediterranean Tuna Burgers

Some nights you want the goodness of fish without the fuss of a fillet. These burgers grind fresh tuna into something that holds together like a real patty, briny with olives and capers. They come together in about 25 minutes, which is a kindness on the days when your energy is its own budget to manage.

Fresh tuna is a source of omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, both involved in supporting a calmer inflammatory response and a well-functioning thyroid. The olives add monounsaturated fat. This is real fuel, simply food that asks little of your digestion and gives something back.

If you can, buy tuna from a counter where you can ask how fresh it is, and treat the fish with that same care when you cook it. A short rest, a hot pan, a green plate set with intention. The meal is small and it is enough.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb fresh tuna, diced
• 12 kalamata olives, pitted
• 2 green onion stalks
• 1 tablespoon capers, minced
• sea salt, to taste
• 1/4 cup AIP egg-free mayonnaise, for the sauce (see the egg-free mayonnaise)
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (verify clean-label/AIP-compliant)
• 1/2 cup arugula, for serving

Note: This is made AIP by two swaps. Replace standard mayonnaise with an egg-free AIP mayo, and omit black pepper entirely. The anchovy paste must be checked label by label, since many brands carry excluded spices or additives.

Method

• Spread the diced tuna, olives, green onion, and capers on a tray and freeze them for about 5 minutes. This firms everything so it grinds cleanly instead of turning to mush.
• Pulse the chilled tuna, olives, onion, and capers in a food processor until you reach a ground-burger texture. Season with sea salt.
• Shape into 4 patties.
• Cook in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden, roughly 7 minutes total, turning once.
• For the sauce, stir the anchovy paste (once verified) into the egg-free mayo. Serve each patty with the sauce and a handful of arugula, over greens or a compliant bun.

Air fryer variation

These patties hold together well enough for the air fryer. Set it to about 375F and cook 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through and golden. Fish cooks fast, so check early and kitchen-test before relying on the time.

*Adapted from acleanplate.com*