This is the Best & Juiciest Turkey Burger Recipe. It’s super healthy and packed with flavour – add your fave toppings and some secret sauce!
These turkey burgers are perfect for grilling or cooking on the stovetop! They come together so quickly, too. Trust me, these burgers do not disappoint!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Tender and flavourful: These burgers stay juicy thanks to the perfect blend of ingredients.
- Healthier twist on a classic: A lighter option made with lean ground turkey, without sacrificing taste.
- Quick and versatile: Easy enough for weeknights and perfect for the BBQ, stovetop or meal prep.
Ingredients and substitutions
Burger patties
- Ground turkey – you could also try making these burgers with ground chicken or ground beef.
- Breadcrumbs – panko or crushed up potato chips would also be good. If you’re using potato chips, skip the rest of the salt.
- Egg – you can leave out the egg, but it helps make the patties a lot firmer.
- Yellow onion – white onion or shallots would also work.
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best. In a pinch, used jarred garlic or garlic powder.
- Worcestershire sauce – use a combination of soy sauce and ketchup for a similar flavour.
- Dijon mustard – stone-ground mustard is the best substitute here.
- Paprika – cayenne would also be good or you can leave this out altogether.
Toppings
- Burger buns – use your favourite burger buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb alternative.
- Cheese slices – any kind of cheese slices like cheddar, mozzarella or Swiss would be good.
- Lettuce – iceberg, romaine and bibb lettuce are all popular choices for burgers.
- Tomato – leave this out altogether or swap out for another veggie of your choice.
- Red onion – white onion is another good option or you can leave off the onions if you’re not a fan.
- Pickles – if you don’t have any pickles, relish will provide a similar flavour.
Special sauce
- Light mayo – regular mayo will work but has a higher calorie count.
- Ketchup – you can try using a bit of BBQ sauce but it will have a different flavour.
- Relish – chop up some dill pickles instead.
- Dijon mustard – stone-ground mustard would be the next best thing.
- Garlic powder – onion powder can be used interchangeably.
How to make a turkey burger
Step 1: Assemble your ingredients.
Gather everything you need for the recipe.
Step 2: Mix the patty ingredients together.
Combine the ground turkey and seasonings in a large bowl and mix.
Step 3: Form equal-sized patties.
Shape the mixture into flat circles for even cooking.
Step 4: Cook in a skillet.
Pan-fry the patties until fully cooked through.
Step 5: Prep the sauce and any toppings.
Stir the sauce together and get your toppings ready.
Step 6: Assemble your burgers and enjoy!
Add the patties to toasted buns with your favourite toppings, then dig in!
How to keep your burgers from falling apart
Here are some essential tips to keep your burgers from falling apart:
- Use a binder: The key to creating burgers that don't fall apart is to use a binder. Use one raw egg and some breadcrumbs to hold the ground turkey together.
- Chill or freeze the patties before you cook them: The colder the burgers are, the better they will stay together after they hit the heat.
- Don't overwork the meat mixture: Overworking the mixture will cause your burgers to lose structure, and will dry them out, too.
- Use wet hands to form the patties: This will help the patties to take form more easily before you place them on the grill or in a skillet.
- Flip them less: When you cook the burgers, resist flipping them more than once during the cooking time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep turkey burgers from drying out?
Make sure not to overwork the meat mixture! And, avoid overcooking and check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Can I grill these instead of cooking them in a skillet?
Yes, they work great on the BBQ. Grill over medium-high heat for about 7–8 minutes, flipping once.
Can I cook these in the oven?
Yes, bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
My favourite burger sides
These turkey burgers go great with simple sides. Try some of these out!
- Sweet potato fries or regular fries
- Side salad with vinaigrette or a light cucumber-tomato salad
- Coleslaw or pasta salad
- Pickles or veggie sticks for an easy, crunchy side
How to store and reheat
Store: Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Reheat on the grill, in the oven or on the stovetop
Freeze and reheat from frozen: Freeze these burgers raw or cooked for up to 3 months, then cook or reheat from frozen.
More yummy burger recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Save time and use this pre-made special sauce for your burgers.
- I get all my free-range ground turkey from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your burgers are cooked through.
The Best & Juiciest Turkey Burger Recipe
This is the Best & Juiciest Turkey Burger Recipe. It’s super healthy and packed with flavour – add your fave toppings and some secret sauce!
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Servings: 4 people
Calories: 423kcal
Ingredients
Burger patties
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 yellow onion, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Topping ideas & assembly
- 4 burger buns
- Cheese slices
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Red onion, sliced
- Pickles
- Condiments such as mayo, ketchup, relish, mustard, etc.
Optional special sauce recipe
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp relish
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic or onion powder
Instructions
- Mix ingredients together for burger patties in a large bowl, then form into equal-sized patties.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add burger patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through (meat thermometer should read 165 F in the middle of burger).
- Meanwhile, mix together ingredients for special sauce if desired, along with other toppings.
- Add burger patties to buns (can toast for 1 min if desired), along with desired toppings then serve and enjoy!
BBQ instructions
- Preheat BBQ to med-high heat (400 F). Mix ingredients together for burger patties in a large bowl, then form into equal-sized patties and spray each side with cooking spray.
- Grill burgers for 7-8 minutes until fully cooked all the way through (should register 165 F in the center). Serve with buns and toppings. Can toast buns on the grill for 1 min each if desired.
Video
Notes
NOTE: Nutritional info is for 1 burger with bun and 2 tbsp special sauce; this does not include toppings or cheese. Without special sauce, burger is 317 calories. Cheese will add 110 calories, while vegetable/pickle toppings will add minimal calories.
Try out different topping ideas like tzatziki sauce, grilled veggies, jalapenos or salsa.
Make sure not to overwork the patties so they don’t fall apart.
Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the grill, in the oven or on the stovetop.
Freeze these burgers raw or cooked for up to 3 months, then cook or reheat from frozen.
Nutrition
Calories: 423kcal (21%)Carbohydrates: 37g (12%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 15g (23%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 108mg (36%)Sodium: 1324mg (58%)Potassium: 523mg (15%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 412IU (8%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 111mg (11%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Comments & Reviews
Brian McCarthy says
I have been trying to cook a decent turkey burger for years but have never succeeded until I tried this recipe. The burgers were excellent. Flavorful, moist and stayed together. Thank you.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed! 🙂