Juicy turkey burgers filled with salty Kalamata olives, creamy feta, fresh spinach, and fragrant herbs make an easy weeknight meal with plenty of Greek-inspired flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Turkey burgers don’t have to be boring. These patties bring together a handful of bold ingredients that make lean ground turkey especially flavorful, from briny Kalamata olives and tangy feta to oregano, garlic, and spinach.
They’re also wonderfully versatile. Pile one onto a toasted bun with crisp vegetables and Greek yogurt, or skip the bread and serve it with rice, quinoa, salad, or roasted vegetables. Either way, you get a satisfying, protein-rich meal that comes together in just 30 minutes.
For Greek Turkey Burgers
- 93% Lean Ground Turkey – the base of these burgers, giving them plenty of protein while keeping the patties relatively lean.
- Minced Garlic – adds a savory, aromatic layer that pairs especially well with the oregano and feta.
- Ground Cumin – brings a warm, earthy note that gives the turkey more depth.
- Dried Oregano – adds the familiar herbaceous flavor that makes these burgers taste distinctly Greek-inspired.
- Kalamata Olives – finely chopped for little bursts of salty, briny flavor throughout the patties.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese – adds a creamy, tangy element that balances the savory turkey and olives.
- Fresh Spinach – finely chopped and mixed into the meat for extra color, freshness, and vegetables in every bite.
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper – a simple finishing seasoning that brings all the flavors together.
- Olive Oil Spray – used to lightly coat the skillet before cooking the burgers.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix the turkey mixture
Start by preheating the oven to 420°F. Add the turkey, garlic, cumin, oregano, olives, feta, spinach, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and mix everything thoroughly.
Shape the patties
Scoop out a large fistful of the mixture, roll it into a ball, and flatten it into a patty about 1 ½ inches thick. Continue with the remaining mixture until you have 5 equal-sized patties.
Press a shallow indentation into the center of each burger with your thumb. This small step helps the patties stay flatter as they cook.
Sear the burgers
Heat a large oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly spray it with olive oil. Once the skillet is hot, add the patties.
Let the first side cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the edges are browned and nicely seared. Flip the burgers and cook for another minute.
Finish in the oven
Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and cook the burgers for 9 to 11 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If you prefer, the burgers can also be baked on a parchment- or foil-lined baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes.
Serve
Serve them on toasted whole wheat buns with butter lettuce, cucumber, thin red onion slices if desired, sliced tomato, and Greek yogurt. For a bread-free meal, pair them with salad, rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
Expert Tips
Make an indentation in each patty. Turkey burgers tend to puff slightly as they cook, so the shallow center indentation helps them maintain their shape.
Keep the patties similar in size. Evenly sized burgers will cook more consistently, making it easier to get every patty properly cooked.
Use a meat thermometer. Because turkey should be cooked thoroughly, check the thickest part of a burger and make sure it reaches 165°F.
Don’t overmix the meat. Mix the ingredients until everything is evenly combined, then stop. Overworking the turkey can result in firmer, denser burgers.
Have your toppings ready. Since the burgers cook quickly, prepare the bun, vegetables, and Greek yogurt before the patties come out of the oven.
Recipe Variations
The burger mixture itself is best prepared according to the recipe, but there are plenty of ways to change up the finished meal.
Greek-style burger: Serve on a toasted whole wheat bun with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red onion, and Greek yogurt.
Burger bowl: Place a cooked patty over rice or quinoa and add cucumber, tomato, and red onion.
Light dinner plate: Leave off the bun and serve the burger alongside a crisp salad and roasted vegetables.
Meal-prep lunch: Portion the cooked patties with your favorite grain and vegetables into individual containers for easy lunches throughout the week.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cooked turkey burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use them within 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, warm the burgers in a skillet, oven, or microwave until heated through. Since turkey can dry out when overheated, reheat just until hot.
Cooked patties can also be frozen for longer storage. Place them in a freezer-safe container or wrap them well, then thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
There are two especially good ways to serve these burgers.
For a classic burger dinner, use a toasted whole wheat bun and add butter lettuce, cucumber slices, thin red onion, tomato, and Greek yogurt in place of mayo.
For a lighter plate, skip the bun and serve a burger with rice, quinoa, salad, or roasted vegetables. The salty feta and Kalamata olives pair especially well with fresh cucumber and tomato.
Recipe FAQs
1. How do I keep the turkey burgers from falling apart?
This usually happens when the turkey mixture is handled too much or the patties aren’t shaped firmly enough. Mix the ingredients just until combined, then gently shape the patties and press them together so they hold their shape while cooking.
2. How do I know when the turkey burgers are fully cooked?
The easiest way is to use a meat thermometer. Turkey burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the center. This takes the guesswork out of knowing when they’re ready.
3. Can I bake the burgers without using a skillet?
Yes, you can. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Just make sure the center reaches 165°F before serving.
4. Can I make these turkey burgers ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily prep the patties in advance. Shape the burgers, cover them, and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to cook. This is especially handy when you want to get dinner started quickly later in the day.
5. How long do leftover Greek turkey burgers last?
Leftover burgers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. To reheat, warm them until heated through, but try not to overcook them so they stay tender and juicy.
Greek Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, finely chopped
- 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup finely chopped and packed fresh spinach
- Pinch each of sea salt and black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 420°F.
- Put all of the ingredients into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed throughout the turkey.
- Take a large fistful of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Flatten it into a patty approximately 1 ½ inches thick. Continue with the remaining mixture until you have 5 evenly sized patties.
- Press a shallow indentation into the center of each patty with your thumb. This helps keep the burgers from puffing up into a dome during cooking.
- Heat a large oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the skillet with olive oil spray, then place the patties in the hot skillet.
- Cook the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, until the edges are browned and seared. Turn the patties over.
- Cook for 1 additional minute, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Continue cooking for 9 to 11 minutes, until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Alternatively, place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve the burgers on toasted whole wheat buns with butter lettuce, cucumber slices, thin red onion slices (optional), sliced tomato, and a little Greek yogurt instead of mayo. They can also be served with salad, rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
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Recipe Notes
- Don't skip the center indentation: The shallow thumbprint helps the patties maintain a flatter shape as they cook.
- Use an oven-safe skillet: Since the skillet goes directly from the stovetop into the oven, make sure yours is suitable for oven use.
- Check the temperature: Turkey burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer is the easiest way to verify doneness.
- Chop the mix-ins finely: Finely chopped olives and spinach distribute more evenly through the turkey, making the patties easier to shape.
- Avoid overmixing: Mix until the ingredients are incorporated, then stop. Excessive mixing can make the burgers dense.
- Keep the patties evenly sized: Uniform patties cook at a similar rate and make serving easier.
Nutrition
Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.5g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 14.5g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 360mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g
