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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Turkey Burger Recipe

    Turkey Burger Recipe

    Published: August 10, 2019 · Modified: Apr 5, 2021 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    This juicy and delicious Turkey Burger Recipe is made with herbs, garlic, and lean ground turkey. These burgers make a healthy alternative to regular beef burgers, are super easy to make, and taste incredible, serve them on soft buns with your favorite toppings.

    Turkey burgers on china plates with salad and tomatoes in the background
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    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger
    A pinterest graphic of a turkey burger

    If you’re looking for some guilt-free comfort food then this Turkey Burgers recipe is the answer! They’re super juicy, packed with flavor, and better yet can be ready in just 20 minutes. I use lean ground turkey meat to make these burgers so they are much lower in cholesterol and fat than regular beef burgers but they taste just as delicious. 

    My easy recipe requires no outdoor grilling so you can make these at home all year round plus they can be made in advance and frozen too. Serve them on soft, fluffy buns with your favorite toppings such as tomatoes, pickles, onions, and ketchup, and a side of sweet potato fries.

    What you need to make this recipe

    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make turkey burgers

    Ground turkey – lean ground turkey is best for this.

    Garlic – fresh garlic will give these burgers a ton of flavor it’s well worth using fresh instead of powder.

    Onion powder – I like to use onion powder instead of fresh onion to make my burgers because chopped onion can cause the patties to fall apart if it’s not chopped super fine.

    Parsley – fresh parsley will also add a ton of flavor if you want you can replace it will basil or cilantro.

    Breadcrumbs – I use seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor but you can also use regular breadcrumbs.

    Worcestershire sauce – this adds a little tang and extra flavor.

    Egg – the egg will really help bind everything together.

    Salt – it’s essential to season the burgers with salt to enhance all the flavors.

    Toppings of choice – I like to top my burgers with lettuce, tomato, and slices of onion but the options are endless. See more suggestions in my pro tips below.

    How to make Turkey Burgers

    Two photos showing how to mix ingredients together for turkey burgers

    1. Finely chop the parsley and garlic.

    2. Add all the ingredients for the burgers to a bowl.

    Two photos showing how to shape turkey burger

    3. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

    4. Shape the mixture into patties.

    Two photos showing to cook and assemble turkey burgers

    5. Fry the patties in a hot skillet on both sides until browned and cooked through.

    6. Assemble your turkey burgers with buns and desired toppings such as tomato, lettuce, and onion.

    A close up of a Turkey Burger on a blue china plate

    Pro tips for making this recipe

    • Dampen your hands with cold water before shaping the patties to stop them from sticking to your hands.
    • You can chill the burgers in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.
    • Make sure your skillet is nice and hot before frying so you get that delicious sear on the burger.
    • If you’re not sure that your burgers are cooked all the way through you can use a meat thermometer to check that the meat reaches 165F.
    • If you want to cook these burgers on the outside grill make sure to preheat the grill and brush the patties with olive oil so they don’t stick. I also recommend chilling the burger so they firm up until you are ready to cook them.
    • Toppings – here are some delicious toppings you might want to try; pickles, tomato, lettuce, red onion, avocado, Jalapeno, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, cheese, garlic mayo, relish.
    • If you want to add melted cheese add a slice on the burger 5 minutes before the end of cooking so the cheese melts.
    • For a lower-carb option, you can serve these with lettuce buns instead of bread.
    • These burgers are best served immediately when they are extra juicy.

    Three turkey burgers on blue plates

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I stop my turkey burgers from drying out?

    To make sure your burgers stay juicy and don’t dry out make sure you don’t overcook them. I find that 4 minutes on each side for a 1/2 inch thick patty is perfect. If you shape your patties too thin they will cook too quickly and dry out very easily. To be extra sure you don’t overcook your burgers you can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature reaches 165F any higher and the burger will start to dry out.

    Can I prepare these in advance?

    Absolutely, you can shape the turkey burger patties one day in advance and store them in the fridge until you are ready to use them or they can be frozen raw.

    How long do they last, can I freeze them?

    Cooked turkey burgers will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely before reheating.

    Can I bake them instead of frying?

    Yes, you can bake the turkey burgers in a hot oven at 375F for 20-25 minutes instead of frying them. I recommend spraying them on both sides with cooking spray first.

    What can I serve them with?

    This turkey burger recipes goes perfect with my Sweet Potato Fries and dips such as mustard, ketchup, or mayo. Salad is also a great option such as my Greek Salad or Potato Salad.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Chicken Sandwich 

    • Spicy Chicken Sandwich

      Spicy Chicken Sandwich

    • A pile of sweet potato fries on a golden baking sheet.

      Sweet Potato Fries

    • Two slices of turkey meatloaf on top of mashed potatoes with the rest of the meatloaf in the background.

      Turkey Meatloaf

    If you’ve tried this Turkey Burger recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    A delicious turkey burger on a blue and white plate.
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    5 from 17 votes

    Turkey Burger Recipe

    How to make juicy and delicious turkey burgers at home. Don't forget to check out my step by step photos and tips above!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 4 burgers
    Calories 189kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • Pan
    • Bowl

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. ground turkey
    • 1 large egg beaten
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
    • 3 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt
    • ½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup Seasoned breadcrumbs
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • Buns

    Instructions

    • Mince the parsley and garlic.
    • Combine the turkey, egg, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and onion powder in a large bowl.
    • Mix well then divide into four equal portions and shape into 1/2 inch thick patties with dampened hands.
    • Add the oil to a large pan over medium heat then add the patties and cook on each side for about 4 minutes or until cooked through (internal temperature of 160F).
    • Serve on buns with your choice of toppings.

    Video

    Notes

    • Dampen your hands with cold water before shaping the patties to stop them from sticking to your hands.
    • You can chill the burgers in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.
    • Make sure your skillet is nice and hot before frying so you get that delicious sear on the burger.
    • If you're not sure that your burgers are cooked all the way through you can use a meat thermometer to check that the meat reaches 165F.
    • If you want to cook these burgers on the outside grill make sure to preheat the grill and brush the patties with olive oil so they don't stick. I also recommend chilling the burger so they firm up until you are ready to cook them.
    • Toppings - here are some delicious toppings you might want to try; pickles, tomato, lettuce, red onion, avocado, Jalapeno, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, cheese, garlic mayo, relish.
    • If you want to add melted cheese add a slice on the burger 5 minutes before the end of cooking so the cheese melts.
    • For a lower-carb option, you can serve these with lettuce buns instead of bread.
    • These burgers are best served immediately when they are extra juicy.
    • Storage - cooked burgers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge or can be frozen. Thaw before reheating.
    • Nutritional information does not include the bun.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1burger | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 444mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1031IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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