Juicy, savory, and ready in about 20 minutes,
these turkey burgers are an easy answer to weeknight burger cravings.
Serve them on toasted buns with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, creamy avocado, or whatever toppings you love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I think turkey burgers are at their best when they’re simple, well-seasoned, and cooked just right.
This recipe checks all three boxes. The turkey is mixed with Dijon mustard, ketchup,
Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and a few pantry staples,
giving every bite plenty of savory flavor without making the recipe complicated.
And because you can cook the patties on the grill, in a skillet, or in the oven,
there’s no need to wait for perfect grilling weather.
Make them for a quick family dinner, a casual weekend cookout, or whenever you’re craving a burger with a lighter twist.
For Turkey Burgers
- Lean Ground Turkey – the main protein for the burgers. Lean turkey keeps the patties lighter while still making a satisfying burger.
- Garlic Powder – adds a savory garlic flavor throughout the turkey mixture.
- Onion Powder – brings a mild onion flavor and helps season the patties from the inside.
- Ketchup – adds a touch of sweetness and moisture to the turkey mixture.
- Dijon Mustard – gives the burgers a slightly tangy, savory flavor that works especially well with turkey.
- Worcestershire Sauce – adds rich, savory depth and helps give the patties a more robust burger flavor.
- Salt – brings out the flavors of the turkey and seasonings.
- Freshly Ground Pepper – adds a little warmth and peppery bite.
- Bread Crumbs – help bind the mixture together and give the patties structure.
- Egg – acts as a binder, helping all of the ingredients hold together when the patties are shaped and cooked.
For Serving
- Hamburger Buns – the base for serving the cooked turkey patties.
- Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, and BBQ Sauce – choose one or combine several for extra flavor and moisture.
- Lettuce – adds freshness and a little crunch.
- Tomato – brings juiciness and a fresh flavor.
- Onion – adds a crisp texture and savory bite.
- Pickles – provide a tangy contrast to the savory turkey.
- Avocado – adds creamy richness to the burger.
- Turkey Bacon – brings smoky, salty flavor and extra texture.
- Sautéed Mushrooms – add a rich, savory topping that pairs naturally with the turkey.
- Jalapeños – a good choice when you want to give the burger some heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Start with the turkey mixture.
Add the ground turkey, garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs to a mixing bowl. Mix just until everything comes together.
Step 2
Shape the patties.
Divide the mixture into 4 patties about ½ inch thick. The mixture will be really wet, so don’t worry if the patties feel softer than traditional beef burger patties. Use your thumb to make a depression in the center of each one, then place them on a parchment-lined plate.
Step 3
Give them a quick chill.
Freeze the patties for 20 minutes. This small step helps the burgers hold their shape when they hit the grill.
Step 4
Choose your cooking method.
- Grill Method: Clean grill grates and grease well with oil. Heat to medium high. Add turkey burgers and grill for a few minutes on each side, until 160 degrees F.
- Skillet Method: Heat the canola oil in a nonstick griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. (Or spray generously with non-stick cooking spray). Once hot, cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Oven Method: Bake at 375 F for 25-30 minutes. Then sear on a hot pan for 2 minutes on each side.
Step 5
Build your burgers.
Serve the cooked patties on buns with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, or any combination of your favorite toppings.
Expert Tips
The turkey mixture is naturally quite soft, so resist the urge to add extra breadcrumbs just to make it easier to handle. The 20-minute freezer step is there for a reason—it helps the patties firm up before cooking.
When shaping the burgers, make the center slightly indented with your thumb. This helps the patties keep their shape as they cook.
For the grill method, make sure the grates are clean and well greased before adding the burgers. Most importantly, cook the turkey burgers to 160 degrees F.
Recipe Variations
- Protein Style: Skip the bun and wrap your turkey burger in a Boston bib lettuce cup with all your favorite toppings.
- Spicy Turkey Burger: Add a diced jalapeño to the patty mixture in step 1 for a little heat.
- Black and Bleu Turkey Burger: Add ¾ cup bleu cheese crumbles to the turkey patty mixture in Step 1. Brown onions in a skillet with butter, then place them on top of the cooked turkey burger when serving.
- Gluten Free: Substitute almond flour for bread crumbs and use your favorite gluten free bun.
Storage & Reheating
For a make-ahead dinner, form the raw patties and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 1 day before cooking.
To freeze, form the raw turkey burger patties and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. “Flash freeze” for one hour. Once paritally frozen, layer patties in a freezer safe bag or container, with parchment paper between each, for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, or thaw before cooking.
Serving Suggestions
There’s something especially good about setting out a platter of turkey burgers and letting everyone build their own. Keep the toppings simple with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, or make them more substantial with avocado, turkey bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and jalapeños.
For condiments, you can’t go wrong with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or BBQ sauce. Add a favorite side such as vinegar coleslaw, broccoli salad, baked beans, homemade French fries, corn salad, or baked potato salad for a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
1. Why are my turkey burger patties so wet and difficult to shape?
This is completely normal with this recipe. The turkey mixture is quite soft, so gently shape the patties and don’t worry about them being as firm as beef burgers. Freezing them for 20 minutes before cooking helps them firm up and makes them much easier to handle.
2. How do I keep turkey burgers from falling apart?
The biggest thing is to avoid overmixing the turkey mixture. Mix everything just until combined so the patties stay tender. The egg and breadcrumbs help hold everything together, while the 20-minute freezer step gives the patties extra structure before cooking.
3. Can I make these turkey burgers without a grill?
Yes, you definitely can. The recipe includes both skillet and oven methods, so you can make these burgers even without a grill. For the skillet method, cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side. For the oven method, bake at 375 F for 25-30 minutes, then sear them in a hot pan for 2 minutes on each side.
4. How do I know when turkey burgers are fully cooked?
A meat thermometer is the easiest way to know when they’re ready. The recipe card specifies cooking the grilled burgers to 160 degrees F. For food safety, USDA guidance recommends ground poultry reach 165°F, so checking the thickest part of the burger with a thermometer is the best approach.
5. Can I prepare the turkey burger patties ahead of time?
Yes, these are easy to prep ahead. Form the raw patties, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and cover with plastic wrap. They can be refrigerated for up to 1 day before cooking. You can also freeze the uncooked patties for longer storage.
Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pounds lean ground turkey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
For serving:
- 4 hamburger buns
- Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce
- Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, avocado, sauteed mushrooms, jalapeños
Instructions
- Add the ground turkey, garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs to a mixing bowl. Stir gently until everything is evenly incorporated; avoid overworking the mixture.
- Divide the mixture into 4 patties, each about ½ inch thick. The mixture will be quite wet. Press a shallow indentation into the middle of each patty with your thumb, then transfer the patties to a parchment-lined plate.
- Put the patties in the freezer for 20 minutes. This brief chilling period helps them stay intact while cooking.
- Grill Method: Clean the grill grates and coat them well with oil. Preheat to medium-high heat. Place the turkey patties on the grill and cook for a few minutes per side, until they reach 160 degrees F.
- Skillet Method: Warm the canola oil in a nonstick griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Alternatively, coat the pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. Once hot, cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Oven Method: Bake at 375 F for 25-30 minutes. After baking, sear the patties in a hot pan for 2 minutes on each side.
- Place the cooked burgers on hamburger buns and finish with your preferred condiments and toppings.
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Recipe Notes
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