This easy turkey burger recipe is simple and delicious, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. You can prepare them ahead and freeze them too!
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
I wanted to create an easy turkey burger that you can eat on a bun, just like a beef burger. Something with no added veggies, like my turkey zucchini burgers or turkey broccoli rabe burgers, which are also delicious. I’ve bought turkey burgers like Bubba Burger at the grocery store and I hate them. This turkey burger recipe is delicious and perfect for a quick dinner or casual weekend get-together. It’s versatile and made with spices you already have in your kitchen. Get creative with the toppings or mix different herbs and spices into the ground turkey mix to make it just how you like it!
Ingredients for turkey burgers
- Ground Turkey: Choose 93% lean ground turkey. 99% ground turkey would be too dry. If you prefer a beef burger, substitute 90% lean ground beef.
- breadcrumbs: Use seasoned whole wheat bread or gluten-free breadcrumbs to hold the turkey together.
- How do you add flavor to ground turkey? Dried onion flakes, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic and salty turkey burger.
- Burger bun: I prefer whole wheat buns, often use Martin’s whole wheat potato buns or Old Tyme’s 647 buns for fewer carbs and calories and more fiber.
- Popular burger toppings: Cheese, tomatoes, red onions, iceberg lettuce, sliced ​​cucumbers, ketchup, mustard, caramelized onions, and avocado are all great options.
How to make turkey burgers
- Make the patties: Mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, dried onion flakes, ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic and salt. Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and press into half-inch patties.
- Cooking on the stove: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. When hot, lightly drizzle with oil, add the burgers and reduce the heat to low. Cook for four to five minutes on each side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should be 165°F).
- air fryer: Air fry turkey burgers at 400°F for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
- Grilling turkey burgers: Clean the grill well and wipe down the grates with a paper towel covered in oil to prevent sticking. Fry the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side.
- Assemble the burgers: While the patties are cooking, toast the buns and prepare the topping. Place the meat on the bread and top with vegetables and spices.
How to grill turkey burgers without them falling apart
Turkey burgers can stick to the grill due to their lower fat content than beef. However, there are a few ways to prevent this:
- Preheat the grill: Make sure your grill is hot before putting the burgers on. A hot grill will help sear the meat quickly, retaining the juice and preventing sticking.
- Oil the cooking grates: Before you start grilling, rub the grates with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil to create a non-stick surface.
- Don’t move the burgers too soon: After placing your burgers on the grill, let them cook, undisturbed, until they release easily, usually about five to six minutes. If you turn them over too soon, they can stick.
- Use a spatula: When it’s time to flip your burgers, use a wide spatula and scoop it all the way under the meat to keep it from falling apart.
What to serve with this turkey burger recipe
You can go the traditional route and serve these healthy turkey burgers with sweet potato fries, french fries, or onion rings. Potato salad, macaroni salad, and corn salad are other options. For something lighter, I went with grilled asparagus, but this creamy cucumber salad, coleslaw, or green salad would work, too.
How to Freeze Turkey Burgers
Turkey Burger Patties are perfect for meal prep because you can freeze them raw. Store them in the freezer in a ziplock bag with pieces of parchment between them so they don’t stick together. Then when you’re ready to serve them, thaw them in the fridge and cook them according to the directions.
Once cooked, leftover turkey burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FAQs
Is a turkey burger healthier than a beef burger?
Turkey burgers are generally healthier than beef burgers. It depends on the type of ground turkey you use. I always choose 93% turkey, which is lean but not dry.
What do you use to keep turkey burgers from falling apart?
You need a binder to keep turkey burgers from falling apart. I used whole wheat breadcrumbs in this recipe, but gluten-free panko would also work.
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Yield: 4 portions
Serving size: 1 Citizens
Optional for serving: (not included)
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In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, dried onion flakes, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt.
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Form four equal sized patties and flatten them so they don’t get too thick. They should be about 1/2 inch thick so they cook in the center.
For cooking on the stove:
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Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. When hot, lightly spray oil.
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Add the burgers to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Keep an eye on the bottom to avoid burning and to ensure the burgers are fully cooked through.
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While the burgers are cooking, prepare your buns and toppings. Toast the buns if you like.
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When the burgers are ready, place them on the buns, add your desired toppings and serve immediately.
When you grill:
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Before grilling, clean the grill thoroughly and spray with oil spray to prevent sticking.
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Cook the burgers over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Air Fryer Option: Air fry turkey burgers at 400°F for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
Last step:
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- Preheat the grill: Make sure your grill is hot before putting the burgers on. A hot grill will help sear the meat quickly, retaining the juices and preventing sticking.
- Oil the cooking grates: Before you start grilling, take a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil and rub it over the grill grates with tongs. This creates a non-stick surface.
- Don’t move the burgers too early: After placing your burgers on the grill, allow them to cook, undisturbed, until they pull away from the grill easily, usually about 5-6 minutes. If you try to flip them too soon, they could stick and fall apart.
- Use a spatula: When it’s time to flip your burgers, use a wide spatula and be sure to fold in the burgers completely so they don’t fall apart. Just remember to make sure your turkey burgers reach one Internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are safely cooked.
Portion: 1 Citizens, Calories: 352 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34 G, Protein: 29 G, Fat: 12 G, Saturated Fatty Acids: 3 G, Cholesterol: 84 mg, Sodium: 761 mg, Fiber: 2 G, Sugar: 9 G