Homemade Fish Burger With Tartar Sauce (Pollock Burger)

A simple, yet delicious Pollock Burger to enjoy instead of rushing to a fast-food restaurant! Three elements make it: a fluffy, buttery brioche burger bun, a lovely piece of white fish fillet and our homemade tartar sauce without relish. In our opinion, this is a better version of a famous filet-o-fish burger! Serve this Homemade Fish Burger With Tartar Sauce with some fries and homemade coleslaw for the ultimate fast-food experience at home!

Jump to:

• Recipe Highlights
• Inspiration
• What Fish to Use for Fish Burgers?
• Tips & Tricks For Crispy Fish For Burgers
• How to Make Tartar Sauce Without Relish?
• Step-By-Step Method
• What to Serve Pollock Burgers With?
• Other Burger Recipes
• Homemade Fish Burger With Tartar Sauce

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Inspiration

I am told that nobody orders a filet-o-fish from a McDonald's menu. Well, they're wrong! I know for a fact that Filet-o-Fish is one of my Top 2 choices when we grab a bite to eat at services on a long trip.

Our Wild Alaskan Pollock Burgers aren't quite a replica of a McDonald's filet-o-fish burger, but if anything, for me, it's better! It is healthier, it is a lot more filling and it tastes homemade with love. 

Hopefully, no one will take offence, but we replaced the processed American cheese slice that's traditionally served in a fillet-o-fish with some grated cheddar. It adds a lot more flavour!

What Fish to Use for Fish Burgers?

Choose a non-oily white fish that is about 1.5cm in thickness. One of the cheapest options (that is actually used in the fillet-o-fish burger, at least in the UK) is pollock. You can find frozen Alaskan pollock fillets in the frozen foods aisle and it is sometimes labelled "White Fish Fillets". 

Alternatively, use skinless cod fillets, haddock, basa or tilapia. All these take on the crispy coating beautifully. 

Tips & Tricks For Crispy Fish For Burgers

• Dab the fish fillets with a piece of kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. This is especially helpful if you are using defrosted fish. Having them relatively dry before breading will ensure maximum crispiness. 
• Use dried breadcrumbs (not fresh) to coat your fish. White or golden breadcrumbs will work well, but try panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness. You can also use the breading mix we use in our Panko Crusted Fish recipe. 
• Add more flavour to the breadcrumbs by adding a pinch of garlic powder or some lemon zest. 
• Make sure your oil is hot in the pan before adding your breaded fish fillets to the pan. Adding the fish too early will make the coating absorb too much oil, so your fish will be less crispy and greasier. 
• If you are doubling the recipe, make sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying the fish. You want them to have space to crisp up, otherwise, they will stew in their own steam and the coating will become soggy. 

How to Make Tartar Sauce Without Relish?

We think the best burger sauce for this crispy fish burger recipe is homemade We think the best burger sauce for this crispy fish burger recipe is homemade tartar sauce! You will need: 

• mayonnaise: we used light mayonnaise. 
• capers: the small ones work best.
• gherkins: use your favourite type. Cornichons will work too!
• dill: frozen, dried or fresh dill - whatever you have available!
• lemon juice: freshly squeezed or bottled.
• tarragon: we know lots of people who don't enjoy the flavour of tarragon, so omit it if you must. Or replace it with other fresh herbs, like parsley or dill. 
• chives: can be replaced with spring onion.

Simply mix all the ingredients in a small bowl (see quantities in a recipe card below). Taste and add some salt and black pepper as needed. Keep the delicious tartar sauce in the fridge until you're ready to use it! Alternatively, you can make a smooth tartar sauce by blitzing everything in a food processor. 

We also have a recipe for an easier 4-Ingredient Tartar Sauce!

Alternatively, serve these burgers with Homemade Russian Dressing or Chimichurri Mayonnaise - it's soooo good...

Step-By-Step Method

Once your homemade tartar sauce is made, fry the fish and assemble your homemade fish burgers. 

Step 1: Fry The Fish

1. Whisk a large egg and half a tablespoon of cold water in a shallow bowl. Spread the breadcrumbs on a separate plate or a shallow large bowl. You may add spices, like paprika and a pinch of turmeric, to the breadcrumbs for extra colour and flavour. 

2. Cut each piece of fish (pollock) fillets into portions the size of your burger buns. They should be 1-1.5cm thick, ideally. But if you have thin pollock fillets, you can simply stack a couple of fish patties instead.

3. Dip each fish portion into the egg mixture and let the excess drip off. Then cover in breadcrumbs. Repeat with the other fish fillet.

4. Heat about ½ cm of olive oil (or other cooking oil) in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Shallow fry fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side in hot oil (we used vegetable oil) on medium heat. The time needed depends on the thickness of the fish fillet. 

5. Transfer the golden brown pollock patties to a plate lined with paper towels, and sprinkle with salt. You can also squeeze some lemon or lime juice over them just before serving. 

Step 2: Assembly

1. Whilst the fish is cooking, grate the cheese. Scatter the cheese on the bottom halves of the brioche buns (you may also use a whole wheat bun for more fibre or make our favourite Sourdough Hamburger Buns). Place them and the top halves in the preheated oven (or under the grill) for a minute, until the edges are starting to brown and the cheese has melted. 

2. Top the cheesy bottoms of the soft buns with the fried fish. Spoon half of the tartar sauce and top with the shredded lettuce leaf. Cover with the top half of the bun.

3. Serve your pollock sandwich with some french fries/ potato wedges and the remaining tartare sauce!

What to Serve Pollock Burgers With?

The obvious choice (and a great one) is French fries, chips or potato wedges, but if you're looking for something slightly different, why not try this breaded fish sandwich with: 

• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes With Balsamic
• Asian Cabbage Slaw
• Baked Polenta Chips

Other Burger Recipes

Bored of traditional beef burgers? You are in the right place! For other exciting burger and sandwich ideas to try next time, have a look at our recipes below: 

• Ultimate Halloumi Burger with Chimichurri Relish 
• Pulled Chicken Burger With Sweet Chilli
• Vegan Coronation Chickpea Sandwich
• Aubergine & Halloumi Panini