The best turkey burger recipe with lean ground turkey and plenty of spices and flavorings. In my opinion, these turkey burgers are just as delicious as their beef counterparts, and they take just minutes to make!
I use ground turkey a lot in cooking, it’s a versatile and healthy protein option. My favorite recipes that include ground turkey are slow cooker turkey chili, turkey meatballs, and these fabulous turkey burgers.
I love a big juicy hamburger, but when I’m looking for a delicious burger that’s on the lighter side, I turn to these turkey burgers. They’re tender, juicy and loaded with flavor. You won’t miss the beef, I promise!
How do you make turkey burgers?
This recipe starts with lean ground turkey, which is mixed with breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, Dijon mustard, egg, Worcestershire sauce and spices. The turkey mixture is formed into patties, then is cooked either on the grill or in a pan on the stove. Place your turkey burgers onto buns with an assortment of toppings, then serve and enjoy.
Tips for turkey burgers
- Be sure to use 93% lean ground turkey, which is a mix of dark and white meat. I’d avoid the 99% lean ground turkey breast because it’s much more likely to dry out.
- Your turkey mixture can be prepared up to 6 hours before you plan to cook it.
- Serve your burgers with plenty of toppings, I like to use lettuce, tomato, avocado and red onion.
- You can melt sliced cheese on top of the burgers during the last 5 minutes of the cooking process.
How do you know if a turkey burger is done?
Ground turkey is cooked through when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the burger registers at least 165 degrees F. You can also cut into the burger to check to see if it’s done; for a turkey burger, there should be no pink remaining inside.
Is a turkey burger healthier than a hamburger?
The answer to this question depends on what type of ground beef you’re comparing your ground turkey to. Many burgers are made with chuck, which is 80% lean. In this case, the turkey burger would be the healthier choice because it’s lower in fat and calories. That being said, if you use an extra lean ground beef (93% lean), it will have a similar nutritional profile to the ground turkey.
How do you keep turkey burgers from sticking to the grill?
If you’re using an outdoor grill, you’ll want to take care to make sure that your burgers do not stick to the grates.
- Make sure your grill grates are super clean. If there are bits of old food left on the grilling surface, the burgers will be more likely to stick.
- Coat your grill grates with vegetable oil before you place the burgers on the grill. You should also add a little extra oil to the surface of your burgers for added insurance that they will not stick.
- Make sure your grill is pre-heated before you add the burgers
My husband has proclaimed this recipe to be the best turkey burger he’s ever had, and I have to agree with him. They’re fresh, light and packed with flavor!
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Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey 93% lean
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs I use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves chopped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 hamburger buns
- assorted toppings such as lettuce, tomato, avocado and red onion
Instructions
- Place the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and parsley in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Shape the meat mixture into 4 patties. Brush the vegetable oil all over the patties.
- Preheat an outdoor grill, indoor grill pan or skillet on the stove to medium high heat.
- Add the burgers and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until completely cooked through.
- Place the burgers on the buns, add toppings as desired, then serve.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on June 25, 2015 and was updated June 18, 2019 with new content.
Carol says
The seasoning on the burger was spot on! I made it healthy with a whole wheat bun!
C Leone says
These turkey burgers grilled up very juicy with a perfect texture and savory flavor. Our whole family enjoyed them. My wife said they were the best turkey burgers she has ever eaten. It’s great how you can adjust the number of patties to account for the amount of turkey you have and the ingredients shift. Thank you great job!
Janet Shaw says
My husband, a total fuss-pot – said these were the best turkey burgers he had ever had! I also had tried your chicken and broccoli stir-fry which was a winner, so I came back!
Deb says
I serve it on a wheat bun and everyone is always happy to have this for dinner!
Debbie says
I agree this is the best turkey burger recipe! My family asks for them all the time!
Jacque Hooper says
Winner! Winner! Bomb turkey dinner! This is making my mouth water! I can’t wait to have this for dinner tonight!
Beth Pierce says
I am loving this recipe so much! Looks beautiful and my kids will absolutely love this! Delish!
Tristin Rieken says
Thank you for all your informative and easy to understand answers to all the questions I have about turkey burgers! This recipe is a winner and your blog post is so helpful. Thank you!!