Turkey Burger Recipe

This lean & juicy turkey burger recipe is packed with flavor but light on calories. They are a perfectly delicious addition to your next BBQ!

You wouldn’t guess this delicious turkey burger recipe isn’t made from beef! Pair this healthy, but tasty version with a side of Baked French Fries, Macaroni Salad, or Baked Beans.

one Lean & Mean Burger

Burgers are a staple dinner item in our home. We don’t limit this all-American dish to grilling season but make them year-round. 

I do like to mix up the flavors and add some twists here and there. This version is a healthy twist with a lot of flavors! This turkey burger recipe has a lower fat content, which makes them healthier, but also means they can be dry or burn easily. 

To make sure these are packed with flavor I upped the spices, added some soy sauce, and use egg and bread crumbs to bind it all together.

The result is a delicious and healthy twist on the classic Burger!

Easy Prep!

This turkey burger comes together in minutes and is so easy to cook. We pan-fried our burgers for juicy perfection!

MIX. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together.

FORM. Divide the ground turkey meat mixture into 6 portions. Press each portion into a 6-inch round patty (the patties will shrink once cooked).

After you have formed the patties use the back of a spoon and make a slight indent in the middle of each of the patties. This will help keep the patties from puffing up in the middle.

COOK. Heat a skillet to medium-low and cook the patties to an internal temp of 165°F. This will take about 3-5 minutes per side.

Pro tip: I like to cook them to an internal temperature of 160°F and then let them rest. The internal temperature will rise the final 5 degrees while they rest before serving.

Grill it!

I used a skillet to cook this best turkey burger recipe, but they would be equally delicious cooked on a grill.

PREP. Coating the clean grates with vegetable oil or olive oil will help keep them from sticking.

GRILL. Grill, with the lid down, over medium high heat for 5 min until grill marks form. Flip and grill an additional 3-5 until cooked through. (165°F)

Recipe Tips

Homemade turkey burgers are quite easy, but here are a few tips to ensure a perfect cook.

Turkey burgers often turn out dry. There are a couple factors to keep in mind that contribute to this:

• Fat content. Turkey is often chosen because it is lean meat. However, try to pick a ground turkey with at least 3-7% fat, or up to 10%. Having some fat will aid in a more flavorful and juicy burger, but too much fat and your burger will be too wet to hold together. 
• Overcooking. I admit the first couple of burgers I made didn’t turn out well because I had my stove turned up too high and they overcooked. The internal turkey burger temp should be 165°F.

Toppings. Turkey burgers taste great using all your favorite beef burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions.

Sauces. Use classic sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. Other sauces you can slather on include BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard Sauce, or even Cranberry Sauce.

Bun. There are many different types of hamburger buns you could use like classic buns, potato buns, brioche buns, ciabatta buns, and more. For extra flavor, add a bit of butter and garlic salt to the inside of the buns and lightly toast them.

Burger Storing Tips

Make ahead of time. The patties can be formed up to two days ahead of time and stored, covered, in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.

STORE. Separate patties with parchment paper and store them in an airtight container. The leftover juicy turkey burger recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the microwave, stovetop, or oven.

FREEZE. The uncooked patties can also be frozen for up to 3 months. No need to thaw, just add the frozen patties to the pan and cook.

Recipe FAQ

For More Burgers and Sandwiches, Try:

• Ranch Burgers
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
• Teriyaki Chicken Burger
• Chicken Parmesan Sliders
• Turkey Cranberry Sandwich