Best Turkey Burger Recipe
We’re calling this the best turkey burger recipe for good reason! These tender patties are made up of just the right amount of spice.
The juiciest, tastiest turkey burger ever!
The most important part of a good burger? The juicy, tasty patty, of course! Which is exactly why turkey burgers get a bum rap. Turkey is lean, and fat equals flavor, so it’s easy to see the problem here. But believe me when I say this turkey burger defies all odds; it doesn’t dry out and it’s packed with savory smokey goodness.
Is it worth it? How many calories are in a turkey burger?
I don’t normally include calories with my recipes; I believe we should just enjoy food in a smart and balanced way without stress and shame. But many people ask about the calories in a turkey burger because ultimately, they’re curious about whether or not it’s worth giving up all that beefy flavor for less fat content. These particular turkey burger patties are 215 calories each. But there’s more to it than calories! Turkey is lower in saturated fat, making it a heart-healthy choice. As someone with high cholesterol running in her family, heart-healthy options are important. And as someone who isn’t always willing to sacrifice flavor, I knew I needed to figure out a way to create a heart-healthy burger tasty enough to rival a beef burger. And here it is!
Here’s how to make a good turkey burger.
Getting the right fat content.
Ground turkey thighs and drumsticks offer up dark meat and a fat content similar to beef, whereas ground turkey breast is quite lean. If you’re buying prepackaged meat, some packages might just be labelled as “ground turkey”, and in this case, it’s usually a mixture of white and dark meat. Dark meat is definitely best when it comes to burgers. If you buy from a butcher, which is always your best bet, you can ask them to create a blend of light and dark meat that suits you.
Don’t be afraid of seasoning!
My rule is always 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of ground meat. But for ground turkey, you also want to add enough bold flavors to the mix, like fresh garlic, onion, spices, herbs, and even liquid smoke! I love using liquid smoke because it really gives the patty that beefy charbroiled flavor we love in a burger.
Add moisture.
Turkey burgers are notorious for being dry, so adding enough moisture is crucial. I use both panko breadcrumbs and an egg. These also work as binders to help keep the patties intact while on the grill.
Don’t over/undercook the patties.
Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Meat Thermometer so that you can cook the patties to a perfect 165º F. Obviously with turkey, you can’t go for a juicy medium rare. But you want to make sure you don’t overcook the patties, because they’ll dry out and won’t be appetizing at all.
My go-to ingredient list.
- Ground turkey, dark meat preferred or 80-90% lean
- Kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper
- Onion powder
- Italian herb mix
- Garlic
- Red onion
- Liquid smoke
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
And now, the gist on making the best turkey burger recipe, according to me.
There’s no denying that homemade burgers are the best burgers, so I knew I had to tackle turkey burgers and create something worth sharing; something that for you, hopefully, is worth repeating. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Prep a baking sheet. Before you get your hands dirty, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Blend your ingredients. Place the ground turkey into a large mixing bowl. Add all of the patty ingredients into the bowl and, with clean hands, gently blend everything until the mixture is cohesive.
- Form your patties! Divide the mixture into four equal portions and gently form them into patties. Place the patties on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Then with your thumb, gently press a divot into the middle of each patty—this prevents the patty from shrinking on the grill.
- Chill. Pop the tray of patties in the fridge and let them sit in there for about 30 minutes. Refrigerating them helps firm them up so they don’t fall apart on the grill.
- Time to grill! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat—around 450º F. Once the grill is hot and ready, place the patties on the grill, cover, and let them cook for about 4-5 minutes. Gently flip them (they should have nice grill marks on the cooked side), cover, and let them cook for another 4-5 minutes. At this point, check the internal temperature with a Meat Thermometer. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165º F. If you’re not quite there yet, flip the burgers once more and cover for another minute or two. *Note: If you’re using cheese, place the cheese slices onto the patties about a minute before you think they’ll be done.
- Burger assembly. How you assemble your burger is completely up to you! Be sure to let me know how you dress your turkey burger in the comments below.
Equipment you’ll need:
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Microplane
- Meat Thermometer
- Mixing Bowls
- Metal burger spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Recipe tips + tricks.
- Create a thumbprint-sized divot at the center of each raw patty. This will prevent the patty from shrinking into a dry puck on the grill.
- Refrigerate the patties for about 30 minutes prior to grilling. Cooling them helps firm them up so they don’t fall apart on the grill.
- If you don’t have liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce will do the trick. You won’t get that delicious smokiness, but you’ll still end up with tons of umami flavor.
- No panko breadcrumbs? You could easily sub-in Italian breadcrumbs or very finely crushed saltines!
- Add dried chili flakes for a spicy version of this patty.
- Got leftovers? These burgers, once cooked, keep in the fridge for about three days. Read more about how long cooked ground turkey lasts in the fridge here.
Other ground turkey recipes you’ll love:
- Instant Pot Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
- Instant Pot Ground Turkey Tacos
- Garlic and Ginger Meatballs with Hot Honey Glaze
- Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ground Turkey and Rice
- Super Tender Ground Turkey Meatloaf
Hope you enjoy!
If you plan on making this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and tag us on Insta! @killing__thyme.
Get the Recipe:
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey, preferably dark meat or between 80-90% lean.
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed and grated to a paste (or finely minced)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herb mix
- 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
Serving suggestions:
- Fresh brioche buns
- Sliced cheese
- Your choice of condiments and toppings
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- With clean hands, mix the ground turkey with all of the patty ingredients in a large mixing bowl with. Gently work the mixture until it's cohesive.
- Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions and carefully form them into patties. Place the patties onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. With your thumb, press a divot into the middle of each patty; this will prevent the patty from shrinking on the grill.
- Place the patties in the fridge and let them chill for about 30 minutes. This helps them firm up so they don't fall apart on the grill.
- When it's go time, preheat your grill to medium-high heat—around 450º F. Clean the grill well. If you need to grease your grill, dip a wad of paper towels in some vegetable oil and glide the soaked towel along the grate with tongs. (I don't normally do this, but if you find that meat sticks easily to your grill, you might want to do this step to play it safe; you know your grill best.)
- Once the grill is ready, transfer the patties to the grill, cover, and let them cook for about 4-5 minutes. Gently flip them (they should have nicely formed grill marks on the cooked side), cover, and let them cook for another 4-5 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a Meat Thermometer, looking for an internal temperature of 165º F. If you're not quite there yet, flip the burgers once more and cover for another minute or two. (If you're using cheese, place the cheese slices onto the patties about a minute before you think they'll be done.)
- When the burgers are ready, transfer them to a clean plate or platter and serve them with fresh brioche buns and your choice of toppings.
52 Comments on “Best Turkey Burger Recipe”
Really good! We topped the burgers with jalapeño drip Jam (recipe from Joanna Gaines) and they were so good and perfectly spicy. Highly recommend you try it next time you make these.
Anna, that sounds amazing! Definitely going to give that a whirl. Thanks for the tip! So glad you enjoyed these.
Great recipe!
We use Worcestershire and smoked paprika.
Thermometer 165 is the critical part ! Never dry.
So glad you enjoyed it, Dave! The meat thermometer is a dinner saver ;)
Just made this and loved it!!! Did not add smoke and we cooked in frying pan on medium high with chopped onion in pan. We also used ground turkey. I sliced the turkey in tiny strips in container before mixing. I also added about a TB of chopped fresh parsley and garlic powder since I only had jarred garlic.
I’m so glad this all worked out, Cindy!
Best turkey burger I ever had!
This really, really is the best turkey burger. The liquid smoke is such a smart idea.
We made this tonight and they were amazing! We added chopped fresh spinach in the meat mixture and topped them with Muenster cheese and served them on a onion poppy seed bun!
Love this burger, and the liquid smoke makes this taste like grilled burgers even when I cook this with my cast-iron skillet on the stove.
This was everything a gourmet burger should be, and then some! Hearty, easy and delicious!
Juicy and tasty burger. Easy to follow recipe. Perfect for a family lunch.
This was a real winner with my family! Thank you!!
Oh wow! These turkey burgers look absolutely fantastic! I love the addition of those spices. So much flavor!
Nice recipe!
Perfect recipe! Wonderfully seasoned, and I love it with and without the smoke!
I’m so glad you think so!
This looks absolutely amazing! I usually use turkey breasts, definitely going to try it this way! I love classics, tomato, lettuce, and burger sauce are all I need!
I agree, the classic toppings are the best.
Love this seasoning and cooked to perfection! My new favorite turkey burger recipe!
So happy to hear this, Holley!
Now this is what I call the fantastic burger. True size and the ingredients are… yum!
Delicious!!! I love turkey burgers and these did not disappoint!
Happy to hear it, Heather!
Followed the recipe with a slight modification with using white pepper. Baked the burgers 5 minutes one side, flipped and added premium cheeses, then cooked another 4 minutes. I added a sunny side up egg for my husband, he was over the moon with the finished product! Mayonnaise, mustard, red onions, lettuce, ketchup on a ciabatta roll – absolutely delicious and we prefer red meat! Thank you
I love this so much, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to pop in with feedback! :) I’m a red meat gal too, but I have to watch my intake due to genetic health issues so I try really hard to make the best out of poultry. Your comment made my day!
Tried these turkey burgers last night and they didn’t disappoint! Thanks for sharing all your tips!
You’re very welcome, Michelle!
I’m eager to try this turkey burger. The seasonings sound perfect and it looks nice and juicy. Yummy!
You really nailed it here! The flavors of this burger are so good and I love that it’s made with ground turkey. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
So glad you loved it, Angela!
This was a really huge hit at my house! It is so good and amazing!
That’s awesome, Jen!
I have some turkey in the freezer. This sounds delicious. I will make some this weekend for the grandkids. You can never have too many burger recipes.
I guess I’m not making beef burgers anymore. These are amazing! I didn’t think turkey burgers could be this juicy and tender.
Haha, I like the way you think, Bill! I’m in the same boat. Don’t see why I should go back to beef burgers after eating these! So glad you enjoyed them :)
My family loved it! Perfectly seasoned!
I’m so happy to hear this!
You can’t beat a turkey burger. Nice and lean, but so much flavour.
Agreed!
I know what I’m having for dinner tonight! Thanks for this recipe!
Hope you love it!
This looks like a Feast. This is surely a Happy Meal . Looks tender, moist and juicy. Presentation yummy.
Thanks!
Turkey burgers can be so dry sometimes but this recipe is tender and juicy! Love this for a change of pace from beef.
I agree! :)
Love these. The liquid smoke really does the trick. I had never used it before and didn’t even know where to look for it but I’m so glad I have some now. Going to use it more!
Honestly, I’d never used liquid smoke until last year. I’m so glad I tried it, because it makes a huge difference in so many things! So glad you enjoyed this, Cora!
Made these last night and they’re amazing!
Yay! I’m so glad :)
What a great idea to try liquid smoke! I love how this site offers new ides (to me) and tips (thumbprint). This is a great option for ground turkey as I use it a lot!
I’m so glad you found this helpful, Judy! Please let me know if you try it out :)