Ground Turkey Burgers Recipe

This is the most succulently juicy Turkey Burger recipe out there โ€“ even non-turkey lovers will be singing its praises- and yours!  The turkey burgers are extra juicy thanks to Greek yogurt (and other tips!), masterly seasoned and infused with richer, deeper flavor thanks to beef bouillon (optional).  These juicy flavor bombs are easy to whip up and enjoy immediately or chill for entertaining or whenever the cravings strike!

up close of turkey burger recipe showing how juicy the burger is without falling apart


 

Watch How to Make best turkey burger recipe

Why this Turkey Burger Recipe works

  • EVERYONE LOVES THEM. Even my non-turkey loving husband declared these turkey burgers, “SO good.”
  • JUICY TURKEY BURGERS GUARANTEED. Greek yogurt+ egg + breadcrumbs + a few key techniques create foolproof juicy burgers every time!
  • WON’T FALL APART. Using binders, chilling the patties before cooking and peeling from the the parchment paper = intact burgers – guaranteed.
  • DEEPER FLAVOR. Beef bouillon is the secret to richer, deeper flavor, itโ€™s impossible not to inhale these burgers!
  • ADEPTLY SEASONED. Dried minced onions, smoked paprika, garlic, oregano, cumin and a pinch of red pepper flakes are mesmerizing.
  • MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS.ย  Make the patties and refrigerate or freeze for easy enjoyment at a moment’s notice.
best turkey burger recipe served on a plate with tomatoes, lettuce and onion
ingredient icon

Turkey Burger Ingredientsย 

A few key ingredients are all you need to create the best turkey burger recipe! Let’s take a closer look (full measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Buns:ย ย Use whatever your heart desires!ย We love brioche buns typically found in the bakery section.
  • Ground turkey:ย This recipe will work with turkey that is 93/7 lean-to-fat ratio or 80/20 – totally up to you! Naturally, the more fat (combo of light and dark meat), the juicier the turkey burgers. I recommend Jennie-O turkey brand because it’s not quite as wet as other brands so it’s easier to work with.
  • Dried minced onion:ย These deliver concentrated onion flavor without leaving you with raw onions or adding extra moisture which can make the burgers too wet. Look for dried minced onions with the seasonings at your grocery store.
  • Greek yogurt:ย  Greek yogurtย adds moisture that isnโ€™t easily evaporated while cooking, helping the turkey burgers stay moist. For the moistest patties, use whole milk yogurt, but light and nonfat will also work.
  • Egg:ย  The egg acts as a binder while adding moisture. As the turkey cooks, the egg cooks which binds the ingredients together so they don’t easily crumble apart.ย 
  • Panko:ย This a Japanese breadcrumb sold in every grocery store (including Walmart) usually next to the other breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs help the turkey burgers stay moist by absorbing and trapping the meat juices as they cook.ย  The breadcrumbs provide structure by preventing the meat proteins from contracting and squeezing juices out.
  • Worcestershire:ย This adds a punch of tangy, umami depth with a subtle sweetness.
  • Parsley:ย Fresh parsley tastes clean and peppery with a touch of earthiness.ย  Use flat leaf parsley for the most flavor but curly will also work.ย Use two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or one teaspoon dried.
top view of turkey burgers recipe showing perfectly grilled patties

Turkey Burger Recipe Topping Ideas

To make the best turkey burger recipe, I highly encourage remoulade instead of mayonnaise or any other spread – the rest of the ingredients are negotiable! Here are some topping ideas:

  • Remoulade: This is a Cajun inspired mayo-based spread that’s slightly spicy, tangy and smoky. It is jam PACKED with flavor and makes the turkey burgers recipe in my opinion. Best of all, it takes 5 minutes to whisk together with ZERO chopping.
  • Lettuce:ย ย Use any of your favs!ย  Romaine, iceberg, baby arugula or extra pretty butter lettuce.
  • Tomatoes:ย  Choose ripe yet firm tomatoes.
  • Pickles: For a briny, sweet and tangy kick.
  • Cheese:ย  Choose from sharp cheddar, white cheddar, Gouda, Havarti, Swiss, provolone, etc.
  • Bacon:ย Makes everything better! Use thick cut bacon so it doesn’t get soggy.
  • Pickled red onions:ย Theyโ€™re bright, tangy with a slight sweetness and subtle crunchย and 1000X better than fresh onions!ย You can purchase jarred pickled red onions at the grocery store located by the capers, pepperoncini, etc. or they are super easy to make with my pickled red onions recipe.
  • Onion strings:ย ย The onions are soaked in buttermilk and then coated with crispy panko/flour mixture then fried to golden crunchy perfection.ย  ย They can also be made days in advance and will stay super crunchy. Use this BBQ Burger recipe to make them.
  • Caramelized onions:ย  Rich, deeply complex, sweet, savory onions, one of my favs!ย  You can follow the instructions in my French onion chicken.
  • Caramelized mushrooms: Follow the mushroom instructions in my Pork Medallions recipe for buttery, umami packed mushrooms with beautifully golden, caramelized edges.
  • Guacamoleย or avocados:ย  For the avocado lover!ย ย Use store bought, simple guac made with lime juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper or my exceptional guacamole recipe.
  • Pepperoncini peppers:ย These add a tasty tangy, vinegar zing as well as a lovely mild crunch.ย 
  • Jalapenos: Add sliced jalapenos or we loveย Trader Joeโ€™s Hot and Sweet Jalapenos!
  • Greek inspired ideas: Hummus or roasted red pepper sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, etc.
showing toppings for turkey burger with up close of creamy remoulade

Turkey Burgers variations

Most of the variation fun comes in the toppings, but here are a few ideas:

  • Onion substitute:ย Substitute dried minced onion with 1 teaspoon onion powder. Your burgers might be more wet because the dried minced onions also act as a binder.
  • Panko substitute:ย  Swap the panko with saltine or Ritz cracker crumbs and reduce the salt.ย  You can also swap the panko with homemade bread crumbs.
  • Add cheese:ย Add ½ cup semi-hard cheese such as freshly grated Parmesan, Asiago or Romano directly to the patty mixture.
  • Play with herbs:ย  Add more or less of any herb to mix up the flavor profile.
  • Play with seasonings: Add more of your favorite seasonings or use your favorite seasoning mix such as Cajun, Montreal, etc.
  • Make them spicy:ย  Add ยฝ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
  • Make it gluten free:ย  Use your favoriteย gluten free panko,ย crackers or toasted gluten free bread in place of the panko. Use a certified gluten free Worcestershire sauce.

How to make Turkey Burgers

Learn how to make turkey burgers in just 4 easy steps! (Full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

  • Step 1: Combine patty ingredients. Stir all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the turkey and mix with your hands just to combine.
a collage showing how to make turkey burger recipe by adding egg, panko, Greek yogurt, and seasoning to a bowl, mixing, then combining with ground turkey
  • Step 2: Form patties. Form the mixture into 4 loose, equal balls and transfer to a sheet of parchment paper. Shape the balls into patties, about 4 inches wide.ย 
showing how to make turkey burgers by forming turkey mixture into patties
  • Step 3: Dimple patties. Make a shallow indentation in the middle of each patty with the back of a lightly greased ¼ cup measuring cup.
showing how to make turkey burgers recipe by dimpling the middle of the patties so they cook evenly
  • Step 3: Chill. Transfer the parchment lined plate to the freezer for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 30 minutes (cold patties stay intact better).
  • Step 4: Cook turkey burgers. Cook turkey burgers on the grill, stove, oven or air fryer per instructions below (and in the recipe card).
showing how to make best turkey burger recipe by cooking on the stovetop
showing how to make turkeyburgers by grilling
turkey burgers recipe being served on a platter

Best Turger Burger Recipe Tips

Want the juiciest turkey burgers? Follow these tips!

  • Don’t overmix. Overmixed turkey is tough turkey. Stop mixing the ground turkey ingredients as soon as they are combined โ€“ the more you handle the meat, the tougher your turkey burger will be and the more likely it is to dry out and crumble.
  • Use cold, greased hands. To help the turkey not stick, run your hands under cold water, shake, then spray with cooking spray. Gently mix the turkey patty ingredients with fingers spread apart. Damp hands will also help the meat combine quicker and prevent over-handling AKA tough burgers.
  • Use a light touch.ย ย Donโ€™t squeeze the meat mixture tightly when dividing and forming into loose balls. ย Form a ball that feels airy instead of compact. If you overwork the turkey mixture, the proteins can break down and become tough.
  • Make uniform patties. I weigh the loose turkey balls on a kitchen scale before forming patties to ensure they are uniform and will cook evenly.
  • Form the patties on the parchment paper. The turkey is wet and sticky, so it’s easiest to smash the balls on parchment paper, then form into patties. This allows you to handle the turkey as little as possible, and easily slide the turkey off when ready to cook.
  • Chill the turkey patties before cooking. This allows the flavors to build and meld, and the protein to relax, resulting in more flavorful, tender turkey burgers. Most importantly, this solidifies the fats so the patties don’t crumble when cooked.
  • Turn the heat down as needed. If the burgers are charring or burning before they are finished cooking, turn down the heat or move the burgers off the flame to another part of the grill.
  • Don’t overcook. Use an instant read thermometer (this one is my fav) and cook just to 160 degrees F.

How to serve Ground Turkey Burgers

Turkey Burgers are best with all your favorite potluck foods!ย  You can go as simple as chips and watermelon or amp it up with pasta salad, fruit salad and grilled corn.ย  Here are some of our favorite sides to serve with with this turkey burgers recipe:

turkey burgers made with ground turkey, egg, panko, onion and turkey burger seasoning on a wood serving tray

Best Turkey Burger Recipe FAQs

How do you cook turkey burgers without them falling apart?

1. Add Egg.ย ย As the egg cooks, it binds the ingredients together which in turn holds the turkey burger together โ€“ no more falling apart burgers!
2. Refrigerate.ย ย The colder the patties, the better they will stick together.
3. Add to a hot pan or grill. This will create a beautiful sear or char which will help prevent the meat from sticking, tearing and falling apart.
4. Use enough oil. Turkey has very little fat so it’s important to generously grease the grill or heat oil in a pan until hot.
5. Transfer using parchment paper. Instead of using hands, tear or cut the parchment paper from around each burger patty, then flip the patty onto the grill or pan, then peel the parchment paper off.
6. Let cook undisturbed. The burgers need continuous time to sear.
5. Don’t flip too soon.ย  Let the turkey burgers cook for a full 4 minutes before checking to see if the burger easily releases from the pan. If you flip them too soon, they may stick to the grill and tear when trying to flip.
6. Use a wide spatula:ย  To flip the turkey burgers, use a wide metal spatula (this one is my fav shown in the video) that is at least as wide as the turkey burger.

How do you add flavor to ground turkey?

Beef bouillon is the best way to add rich beefy flavor to turkey burgers. It won’t necessarily make them taste like beef, but it will give them a richer, deeper flavor. Round out the richness with aromatic onions, umami rich Worcestershire and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin and oregano.

Why are my turkey burgers dry?

Let’s take a closer look at how to address the leading factors of dry turkey burgers:
1. Low-fat content: I don’t recommend anything leaner than 93/7, or for extra juicy burgers, look for ground turkey made from dark meat which has more fat.
2. Not enough moisture in the mixture: Turkey is naturally a lean meat, so it dries out quickly unless enough moisture-binding ingredients are added. Ensure you have added adequate binders like an egg, breadcrumbs, and my favorite – Greek yogurt.
3. Handling the mixture too much: Overmixing or handling the ground turkey mixture excessively can lead to denser and drier burgers. Mix the ingredients until just combined with loose fingers, and avoid excessive shaping or pressing of the patties.
4. Overcooking: Overcooking turkey burgers is a common mistake that leads to dryness that is so easy to remedy! Cook the burgers just until they reach an internal temperature of 160ยฐF then rest to carryover to 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature and prevent overcooking.

How many calories in a turkey burger?

Turkey burgers made with lean ground meat, 1 egg and panko contain approximately 170-200 calories per 4-ounce (113-gram) patty. Here’s a breakdown of the estimated calories from each ingredient:

Lean ground turkey (90% lean): 120-150 calories per 4 ounces (113 grams).
1 egg: Approximately 70-80 calories.
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs: Approximately 40 calories.

two hands holding turkey burger showing how juicy it is

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turkey burgers recipe being served on a platter

Ground Turkey Burgers

This is the most succulently juicy Turkey Burger recipe out there โ€“ even non-turkey lovers will be singing its praises- and yours!ย  The turkey burgers are extra juicy thanks to Greek yogurt (and other tips!), masterly seasoned and infused with richer, deeper flavor thanks to beef bouillon (optional). ย These juicy flavor bombs are easy to whip up and enjoy immediately or chill for entertaining or whenever the cravings strike!
Servings: 4 turkey burgers
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time 15 minutes

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Ingredients

TURKEY PATTIES

ADD LAST

  • 1 pound (16 oz.) ground turkey (I use 93/7)
  • cooking spray

FOR SERVING

  • 4 brioche buns
  • 1 recipe Remoulade Sauce (optional, highly recommend)
  • Topping of choice: cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, avocado, sliced onions/caramelized onions/pickled red onions, bacon, etc.

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients: Stir the Turkey Patty ingredients together (except turkey) in a large bowl until well combined. Add the turkey and mix with your hands just to combine (donโ€™t over-mix or your patties will be tough).
  • Form patties: Wet your hands with cold water, shake, then lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent the mixture from sticking. Form the mixture into 4 loose, equal balls (I use a kitchen scale) and transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Shape the balls into round patties, about ½ inch thick, 4 inches wide. The mixture will be soft, wet and sticky.
  • Dimple patties: Make a 1/4โ€-1/2" deep indentation in the middle of each patty with the back of a lightly greased ¼ cup measuring cup (this will prevent shrinking and ensure even cooking).
  • Chill: Transfer the patties on the baking sheet to the refrigerator for 30 minutes (or longer as needed) or the freezer for 15 minutes (cold patties stay intact better).

TO COOK TURKEY BURGERS ON THE STOVE TOP

  • Heat oil: Heat 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat (or brush a gill pan or use 1 TBS for a nonstick frying pan).
  • Transfer patties: Don't attempt to use your hands or a spatula to transfer the burgers. Instead, tear or cut the parchment paper from around each burger patty, then flip the patty onto the skillet once hot, then peel the parchment paper off.
  • Cook: Cook until the bottom is browned/charred and easily releases from the pan, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the burgers register 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about an additional 3-4 minutes. (If using cheese, add about 2 minutes before you think the burgers will be done.) Remove to a plate and tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes.

TO COOK TURKEY BURGERS ON THE GRILL:

  • Prep grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, 450 degrees F. Clean, then grease VERY well with vegetable oil.
  • Transfer: Don't attempt to use your hands or a spatula to transfer the burgers to the grill. Instead, tear or cut the parchment paper from around each burger patty, then flip the patty onto the grill, then peel the parchment paper off.
  • Grill: Once hot, add patties and cover. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, until browned and they easily release from the grill. Flip burgers (but do not press down), and cook until the burgers register 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 4-5 additional minutes. (If using cheese, add about a minute before you think the burgers will be done.) Remove to a plate and tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes.

TO COOK TURKEY BURGERS IN THE OVEN:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Bake: Transfer the parchment lined baking sheet with the patties to the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Flip patties, and continue to cook until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees, about an additional 5-10 minutes.

TO SERVE:

  • Toast the burger buns on the grill, skillet or oven (see post for directions). Top with desired toppings (highly recommend the remoulade if you like some heat!).

Video

Notes

MEAL PREP

  • Turkey patties: Form the patties on the parchment, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. DONโ€™T bring to room temperature before cooking โ€“ cook straight from the refrigerator.
  • Toppings: ย Prep the toppings while the burgers are chilling or prep 24 hours ahead of time and refrigerate in separate containers.
  • Remoulade:ย Store for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Storage

Tightly wrap turkey burger patties in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.ย  For longer storage, freeze turkey burger patties instead (see below).

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12 Comments

  1. Sue says

    Could onion powder be substituted for the dried minced onion – and if so, how much? Thanks.

    • Jen says

      Absolutely! You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of onion powder. Hope you enjoy!

  2. Karen says

    Made your turkey burgers via the stove last night and it came out looking and tasting good. Since this was the first time making the recipe, I tightly followed your ingredients but found it to be a bit salty. Next time Iโ€™ll reduce the beef bouillon to a 1 tsp. and that should do it. But I found all your tips on how to keep its shape, not mixing it too much or it will get tough, putting a dimple in the meat, keeping it cold in the fridge, etc. were spot on so thank you!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Karen, I am so happy this recipe was a success! I am also glad that salt is easily adjusted to taste, so you can enjoy it even more next time!

  3. Therese says

    I’m not usually big on Turkey Burgers. They can be dry and lack flavor, BUT this Turkey Burger was EVERYTHING you said in your description. SO much flavor and SO Juicy!!! The Remoulade Sauce added the perfect kick of spice. kid approved. Loved it!. I did replace the the bacon with bacon Jam. Can’t wait to try it again with your other suggested toppings. This is definitely going into my rotation for freezer meal prep. This is a 5 star Turkey Burger!!!

    • Jen says

      5 stars- wow!! Thank you so much, Therese, I am so happy you loved these! I’m delighted they’re going into your rotation!

  4. Carol says

    Outstanding recipe! Made exactly as written and my family and I loved these. I’ll definitely make these regularly. TU!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much, Carol, I’m thrilled you and your family loved these! I am so happy to hear this recipe will be made on the regular! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Tonya says

    I didn’t have the dried onion and I thought “hmm …the Lipton Onion Soup mix has dried onions.” Then I was like… well heck this recipe is basically Lipton Onion Soup mix. So that’s what I used along with the Worcestershire and Aleppo pepper flakes. It was tasty, but unfortunately my iceberg lettuce was bitter for some reason and kind of overrode the rest of the burger. I couldn’t figure out what was so bitter until I ate the lettuce by itself. ANYWAY! I have two burgers left and I’ll bet they’re amazing! Also this was our first turkey burger. We don’t have much to compare it to but beef, lol!

    • Jen says

      You’re so creative using the soup mix! I hope the last two burgers are much better!

  6. Brenda Castellano says

    Another awesome recipe, made the sauce with it and itโ€™s definitely recommended for anyone who is wondering to make it. Turkey was moist and delicious.

    • Jen says

      Thank you! I’m so glad!