Halibut Burger Patties, Camp Version
Freeze-dried fish and breadcrumbs pressed into patties and fried in a pan at camp.
- calories
- 430
- weight
- 5.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 78
- protein
- 32 g
- serves
- 2, scales
- prep
- 15 min
- cook
- 10 min
- total time
- 25 min
- water
- 300 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Canister stove
- Liquid fuel
- Grill grate
- Car camping
- Basecamp
- Canoe / raft
- Dairy free
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Actual cooking
Ingredients
| Freeze-dried or canned white fish | 8 oz rehydrated weight | halibut if you can get it; pouched cod or tuna works |
|---|---|---|
| Plain breadcrumbs | 1/2 cup | panko goes soggy, use fine crumbs |
| Powdered whole egg | 2 tbsp | plus 2 tbsp water |
| Garlic powder | 1 tsp | |
| Onion powder | 1 tsp | |
| Smoked paprika | 1 tsp | |
| Dried parsley | 1 tsp | |
| Salt and black pepper | 1/2 tsp each | |
| Olive or avocado oil | 3 tbsp | dropper bottle |
| Buns | 2 | optional, they crush in a pack |
| Mayo packets and hot sauce | 2 packets, a few dashes | stir together for the sauce |
Method
- If using freeze-dried fish, cover it with about 300 ml of just-boiled water and let it sit 10 minutes. Drain hard. Wet fish will not hold a patty. Pouched fish only needs draining.
- Mix the egg powder with 2 tbsp water in the pot and let it stand a minute.
- Add the fish, breadcrumbs, and all the spices. Mash with a spoon until it holds together when squeezed.
- Form four patties about an inch thick. Press them firm.
- Heat the oil in the pan over medium. Fry the patties 4 minutes a side without moving them. Flip once.
- Stir the mayo and hot sauce together and put it on the patties or the buns.
This started as a home kitchen recipe using fresh halibut trim, which is not something you carry up a hill. Freeze-dried or pouched white fish gets you to the same place: protein, mild flavor, something that binds. Powdered egg replaces the fresh one and weighs almost nothing.
The whole recipe turns on how dry the fish is. Drain it further than feels right, then drain it again. Breadcrumbs can only absorb so much, and a wet mix falls apart the second you flip it. Press the patties hard and leave them alone in the pan until the crust sets.
Packing
Breadcrumbs, egg powder, and every spice go into one bag at home. That bag plus the fish and the oil bottle is the whole meal.
Variations
- Skip the buns and eat the patties straight out of the pan with the sauce.
- Instant potato flakes in place of half the breadcrumbs bind just as well and are gluten-free.
- A squeeze of lemon powder or a lemon packet cuts the oil.
https://projectmealplan.com/alaska-home-pack-seafood-delivery-review