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 love including 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. S0, 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 seasoning
- 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 and gently press a divot into the middle of each patty.
- 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! 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.
- Temperature check. At this point, check the internal temperature with a Meat Thermometer. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165º F.
- 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.
Have You Made This Recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR rating & commenting below with feedback!
You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme
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
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 seasoning
- 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.
300 Comments on “Best Turkey Burger Recipe”
These are fantastic! I used 99% lean ground turkey and they were still very tasty. I’ll be making these weekly. I served this batch topped with fresh made mango salsa…so satisfying. Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks so much, Bob! I’m so glad you enjoyed these. Mango salsa sounds like an awesome condiment for a burger!
This is the best turkey burger I have ever had! I add some thick shredded cheese to the mixture and it takes it to another level! Thanks for creating this recipe!
Oh dang, I need to bring cheese into the game! Thanks Alisha :)
This recipe is 🔥 i think it’s the Worcestershire sauce that bring the tenderness and a extra layer of flavor to this burger.
This is my favorite Turkey Burger! Moist, tender and full of flavor; which most say the turkey burger is dry and lacking on so many levels.
Added Eggplant fries to the meal and we are all ☺Smiling☺
I’m so glad, Nancy! Thanks so much for the awesome feedback :) This made me smile.
My husband and I are off red meat and so we’ve been looking for the best way to enjoy burgers with ground turkey. We’ve tried the first 6 most popular recipes that come up in google and this is by far the best. It’s now our official home turkey burger!
This is so nice to hear, Jenni! Thank you! Eating less red meat is the goal here too, so that’s what inspired this bad boy burger. I’m so glad people are enjoying it.
This is actually the best turkey burger recipe, I have tried many.
I’m so glad you think so, Dan! Thank you!
Ok its true, these really are the best Turkey burgers.
I was skeptical at first…. Are these really that good? Is it worth it?? But just trust me, you might go to heaven and come back after you eat these 10/10 recommend
Thanks so much, Sara! I went into making this recipe knowing people would be skeptical and hoping they’d come out changed. Haha. I appreciate your love!
Which “flavor” of liquid smoke do you recommend using?
Hickory, mesquite, or applewood are all great for this recipe. Let me know how it goes!
How would it be if I left out the salt? And substituted eggs whites? My husband had to change his diet and no salt or egg yolks.
Thank you
Hi Kim,
You could probably use egg whites instead. I’ve never tried it, but I don’t see the harm. As for salt, of course salt makes flavors pop—but there’s a lot going on in this burger so I’m sure it’ll still have decent flavor! Keep me posted!
It was the best turkey burger I ever made! Thank you even my husband like it better than his beef burgers.
You’re so welcome, Danielle! Thrilled you guys enjoyed it :)
These really are the best turkey burgers ever!! We’re following the Mediterranean plan & cutting back on hamburger & red meat. These were so juicy and great. Topped them with smoked provolone, tomato, avocado & mayocue. Will definitely make these again!
I’m so happy to hear this, Sandi! My goal was definitely to make a burger for those cutting back on red meat—but the trick was to have big flavor and juiciness. I’m so glad people are enjoying it!
Great taste. Very flavorful and juicy. Tip: I found the mixture very sticky. Wetting your hands with water makes it easier to shape the burgers.
Yes! I should actually add that to my tips. Water or a bit of olive oil helps in forming the patties. They’re supposed to be somewhat sticky, but sometimes they’re stickier than other times. Might be a humidity thing, is my guess. I’m really glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for popping in with a comment, Dan!
These were the best turkey burgers! I topped my burgers with a spicy, coleslaw, avocado, and tomatoes. Man were they good! So juicy. I used crackers instead of bread crumbs. My husband loved them too. I will definitely be making these again. Thank you for a great recipe.
Love the way you dressed it, Frances! Thanks so much for letting me know you and yours enjoyed them so much.
Wasn’t nearly enough panko. I ended up with turkey goo that stuck to everything and couldn’t be formed into a patty. I had to double the amount called for.
Hi Douglas!
Sorry you had trouble. This is the first time anyone has come back with this issue—I’ve always had success with the recipe as written. I hope it turned out for you after adding more Panko!
Great post, Just made these for the first time tonight and it is delicious.
Thanks!
Not a turkey burger guy and ingredients seemed to simple to be this good. But they were the best ones I’ve ever had!!!
Didn’t have liquid smoke but I put them on charcoal grill and they were unreal
I love that you gave it a go and came out a fan, Josh! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Just made these for the first time tonight and they were amazing!!
So happy to hear this, Denise!
Great flavor and tender! I’ve made patties and meatballs with delicious outcome.
I’m so glad, Jana! This recipes works in so many forms. Thanks for popping in with feedback.
I made a similar version with onion powder, garlic salt, pinko breadcrumbs, koscher salt/pepper , Italian seasoning. I didn’t have the other ingredients at the time but it was still the best turkey burner I’ve ever made…topped it with aged sharp cheddar, dill pickles, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Mayo, tomatoes.
I’m so glad it was such a hit, Stephanie!
We are huge fans of these burgers! My husband can’t do red meat anymore so these have been a god send. Thank you!
I’m so happy I could offer up something just as tasty :)
The burgers are delicious, but have a hard time staying together unless you make them pretty thin.
Sorry to hear, Eric. This doesn’t seem to be a common issue. Hopefully you make them again and have better luck!
Wow! I have to admit, I usually dismiss turkey burgers. I’ve just never found them to be as satisfying, but your pictures made me give this one a try. It’s SO GOOD!
I’m so glad, Ben!
Like many I didn’t have all the ingredients and improvised:
1/2 cup panko, egg, teaspoon: garlic salt, adobo, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and then melted cheddar with a little mesquite bbq sauce on top…my husband audibly responded when biting in lol making them for a second time tonight
Haha, so glad it all worked out :)
So delicious!
I added 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper for a kick and doubled the Italian seasoning.
It turned out amazing!
That’s great! I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Emily.
Moist, flavorful and easily adaptable – will be the go-to turkey burger here forward. Thanks!
Happy to hear it!
Dana, kudos, this recipe works – fabulous tasty burgers hold together – grilled them on my panini for 5 minutes – beautiful char marks – great texture when cutting into the grilled burger.
Everything you do matters – so thank you for choosing to bring beautiful enjoyable taste experience to the world
Wow, thanks Sasha! That’s so nice of you to say!
These burgers are absolutely delicious!!
The best I’ve ever tasted.
Moist and full of flavour.
Thank you!
Best effing turkey burger ever
Best effing comment ever! ;)
Can the turkey burgers be frozen?
Hi Jackie, yes! For about 4-6 months.
Can the turkey burgers be frozen?
Hi Jackie, yes! They can be frozen for up to 4-6 months.
Very tasty! It’s so hard to get flavorful turkey burgers. I did not use a bun and had a side of veggies. I even used turkey breast and they are moist. I cooked them on my Ninja grill.
Great to know that ground turkey breast works well! Most ground turkey available is dark meat, so I’m glad an even leaner option is still good. Thanks Barbara!
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. I usually find turkey burgers bland and boring but these were delicious. I used regular breadcrumbs, yellow onions and worcestshire sauce because that is what I had on hand. Can’t wait to see what they taste like with the proper ingredients
I’m so glad, Kat! I always found turkey/chicken burger to be pretty awful, but I really wanted to try and change the game since so many people are trying to lessen their red meat consumption. So glad these have been a hit!
I really enjoyed this recipe. I used soy sauce per the recipes suggested substitutions. When I made the recipe as stated, the Italian seasoning and soy sauce flavoring were too strong for my taste. The second time, I doubled the recipe but used the same amount of Italian and 1.5 tsp of soy sauce. So delicious!
I’m glad you were able to adapt it for your palate, Olivia! I appreciate the feedback :)
Yum, so good and easy too.
Just made it for lunch, will be making it again.
Do you think this recipe, as is, could be used as meat balls or meat loaf?
Hi Tammie! I’m so glad you enjoyed these burgers. These would make great meatballs and could totally work as a meatloaf as well. I also have these chicken meatballs you could use with turkey if you’re ever up for a change: https://www.killingthyme.net/2022/04/26/greek-style-baked-chicken-meatballs/
So kind of you to respond, thank you.
I will take a look at the link you shared.
Of course! I really appreciate when folks take the time to comment :)
Delicious! My husband had a heart attack last year and we have been eating a lot of turkey lately. I was getting tired of turkey but these have a great flavor and will be a great addition to our weekly meals. Thank you!
I’m so happy I’ve been able to provide you and your family with a delicious heart-healthy substitute! I know ground poultry can get old fast. But as long as the right flavors are thrown in there, you’ll never miss beef! I have a lot of ground turkey and ground chicken recipes here on the blog, so I’m happy to help you find more if you need! I’m so sorry your family went through that last year, but very happy to hear your husband is still with us <3
I didnt have everything but it sure made a good burger!
Awesome to hear, Jeff!
Thank you for this recipe!
These burgers are SO delicious! I even forgot to add the Italian seasoning and they still tasted so delicious! I love grilled onions so topped mine off with them and a slice of good old American cheese! SO good!
You’re so welcome, Francesca! Grilled onions and American cheese sound like burger perfection to me ;)
The flavor of these turkey burgers is incredible! Sooo good.
Thanks :)
Good seasoning is the trick for delicious dinners! I like your tip about the salt per lb of meat – I’m going to use that going forward to make delicious burgers like these!
Oh yes. The salt ratio is the ticket!
This is the best turkey burger I’ve ever made. Turkey burgers are hard. They can be kind of bland and anemic, but this one is fantastic!
Thanks, Beth!
I am so overjoyed by how this turned out! I needed an easy recipe for my husband and I and this did just the trick! Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome!
These are what dreams are made of! I loved breaking out of the regular beef burger. These were juicy and delicious! Thank you for making me look like a rockstar to friends and family. :)
Haha, my pleasure, Ned! So glad these were a hit! :)
Should I cook before freezing or freeze raw? Or maybe either way works?
Either way will work! I’d recommend freezing them raw since anytime you reheat a cooked burger you’re losing quality of texture, but if cooking it first is easier for you, you can still definitely enjoy the reheated burger.
Really good! Like, reallllly good! Instant save to the recipe box. Had with avocado and pickles in a pita pocket, excellent healthy dinner option. Only has Worcestershire on hand so want to try the liquid smoke next time
Thanks so much, Ryan! Can’t wait until you give it a go with the liquid smoke. It’s a game changer :)
We will take this out for winter camping, as I love cooking where there is no electricity or heat. The addition of liquid smoke sounds divine, and my hubby loves almost everything I cook. I also get tired of red meat of any type, and am so looking forward to this treat.
Please keep me posted! Love the idea of winter camping. Sounds refreshing!
This is my go to recipe for turkey burgers. We dress them up by adding bacon and/or avocado. So good!
Great to hear, Laurie!
This is , by far, THE BEST turkey burger recipe!
We look foto having it again. This was exactly as promised….full of flavor, easy to prepare and moist! Thank you, Dana!
I’m so glad to hear it!
Been looking for a turkey burger recipe that gives moist burgers AND flavorful. This turned out to be a keeper. With 1lb of meat I made 2 large pattys as recipe stated and 2 normal size pattys with added red chili flakes. Both were yummy!
So glad to hear it!
Delicious, I seared them in a hot cast iron pan and finished in the oven. Will definitely be making these again soon
Awesome news, Allison!
I was looking for a recipe like this, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try it soon!
You’re welcome!
Oh this was seriously a great change for me! I’ve been making a lot of food with beef. This turkey burger was no joke the best as the title indicates. Thank you for always coming in clutch with awesome recipes!
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback, Ned!
Love your tips and tricks to make amazing turkey burgers that even my red meat-loving hubby enjoyed!
Happy to hear it, Kat!
Can these be made in the oven or air fryer? If so time/temp
I haven’t made them in the oven or the air fryer. In the air fryer, I’d try them for 10-12 minutes to start, flipping halfway through, at 375ºF. From there gauge it based on the internal temperature. In the oven, I’d probably cook them the same way I cook my turkey meatballs: 15-18 minutes at 450º F. Let me know how it goes!
Excellent! First I thought these are really wet when I was forming but I just went with it. A little hard getting off the parchment but it all workers out and these were fabulous! Tender and moist and super flavor! Thank you, I’ll be making these a lot!
Hi Mary, yes! They can seem really wet at first. Worryingly so! But that’s ground poultry for ya. I’m so glad you enjoyed these :)
Amazing burger! Just amazing.
Thank you!
Best turkey burger ever. Will always use this recipe. Staying away from beef burger because to heavy on my stomach. These burgers work. Love the ingredients. Thank you soooooo much. I fried them in cast iron skillet.
I’m so happy to hear this, Bonnie!
This my far is the best turkey burger I have made and I have tried so many recipes. Thank you for sharing. I am making my second recipe tonight. Yum, yum.
I’m so happy to see this, Gloria! Thanks for the feedback :)
I haven’t grilled turkey burgers yet, but sounds the way to go when I can get outside and grill when spring time. My mother-in-law made TBs in fry pan using the same ingredients you do, and in addition putting on toppings of fresh sliced mushrooms and a package of beef gravy made according to directions, it was moist and delicious, being careful not to overcook. Do you have a recipe for burgers made similar to grandma’s?
Hi Paul! I don’t have any burger recipes that incorporate beef gravy, or any gravy. Is it a mushroom gravy that’s used to top off the patty? Sounds delicious. Definitely something I’m going to have to try.
I hope you really enjoy this recipe when you get a chance to get out there and grill! And if you can’t wait, you can easily pan-fry them as well :)
These were delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
You’re very welcome!
Really great burger. One of the best. I substituted 2 egg whites for the egg and used yellow onion. That’s what I had. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome, Gloria. I’m so glad your substitutions worked for you!
Really good burger. One of the best. I substituted 2 egg whites for the egg and used yellow onion. That’s what I had. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
You’re very welcome!
Unbelievably delicious. Moist. Tasty.
Thank you!
Made these last week while camping. They were incredibly delicious! Used 4 cloves garlic (because we love garlic) and no liquid smoke because we had none. My husband can’t eat red meat so we’ve been searching for recipes using ground turkey for burgers and found this one. He loved them and so did I. Guess what we’re having for dinner tonight? 😋
I’m so happy to hear this, Teresa! These are great for anyone trying to avoid red meat. I’ve got some turkey and chicken meatballs on the site too, if you’re interested.
Delicious!! My kiddos loved them too! So much flavor. I topped mine with ranch and Muenster cheese.
We love it.
I’m so glad!
Sounds awesome!
My husband liked these cheeseburgers so much that he begged me to make them 4-days in a row! He has celiac so I used gluten free bread crumbs, but that was my only alteration. Thank you so much for giving me a recipe that is so loved in my home!
Michelle, this is wonderful! I’m so glad I could help :)
Excellent. It will be my new go to for burgers! I put some cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and stonewall kitchen bacon onion jam! Delicious
That sounds so so flavorful!
Had these for the first time last night and loved them!
Can I make a big batch of these and freeze them and thaw before grilling?
Hi Lauren! You absolutely can!
I made this with a few small changes and it turned out great. I used Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and skipped the dry Italian seasoning. I also went with 5 cloves of garlic (because garlic!) instead of two. I also cooked it indoors in a cast iron skillet. The burgers came out perfect. I served them with just mayo, ketchup, and mustard (and a local onion relish called Cha-Cha) and they were delicious.
I’m so glad you loved this recipe and were able to put a spin on it to make it your own! That relish sounds fun, I love a good relish :)
Thanks for this recipe. It was good. I will make this more often.
I’m so glad, Kate! Thanks for the review.
These are excellent/ made exactly as written. My go now! I
I’m so happy, Maxine!!
I have never tried ground turkey anything. Trying to cut back on red meet and run across this recipe. I was blown away the taste and texture of this burgers. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I’m so happy to read this, Keith! Thank you so much for the feedback :)
P.S.: Autocorrect turned the “patties” into possessive girls!! (“Pattie’s”). So annoying when phones/computers think they’re smarter than their users!
P.S.: Autocorrect turned the “patties” into possessive girls!!! 😆😂🤣 (“Pattie’s”). So annoying when phones/computers think they’re smarter than their users!! 🙄
Hahaha, my autocorrect makes me look like an idiot daily. I got you, girl <3
Hi! This recipe looks wonderful!
Can the Pattie’s be refrigerated overnight to use the following day? I already prepared tonight’s dinner and am going to be gone most of the day tomorrow. It would be great to come home, get the grill going and voila!
Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Hey Marcie, absolutely! The patties will be nice and settled for sure :)
Please let me know how you like them!
I’m excited to try these tonight! What exactly does the Italian herb mix consist of? Is it Italian seasoning?
Yes! Italian seasoning! I’m excited for you to try these. Please keep me posted :)
I use Hoyts Italian Herb Mix
Contents are Garlic, tomato, basil, onion, black pepper, oregano, parsley, marjoram, bell pepper red, canola oil.
This is the first time I have made turkey burgers….and they were fantastic. This recipe adds a lot of flavor
I will definitely be making them again.
I’m so glad, Sheila!
I made this recipe because of the ingredients and because I loved the reviews. I had my first week night cookout last night. I decided to make these burgers. They were awesome! So good, I ate it plain with sides. My guest raved about them. I put them on our pellet grill so I omitted the liquid smoke. Thank you very much for this recipe!!!
I’m so happy to hear this, Brooke! Thanks for the feedback!
Unbelievably delicious! I used Worcestershire bc liquid smoke repeats on me for days, and I skipped the onion powder since the red onion is the taste I prefer. I cooked mine in an iron skillet w some olive oil, but glad to know the tip about the divot! I topped mine with pepper Jack cheese and added mayo, mustard, and dill pickle chips. I was out of lettuce and tomato, but didn’t even miss it since it was so good as is! Thanks—will share w my newlywed kids who will enjoy them as much as I did.
So glad you enjoyed these, Sara! Totally makes sense for the liquid smoke, and that’s a great substitution.I hope your kiddos do love them as much as we all do!
I have tried cooking turkey burgers before and it broke on me. Thanks for tip of 30 minutes of refrigerant.
You’re so welcome! I’m glad it helped :)
This was the best turkey burger- I added sautéed mushrooms and onions, cooled and finely chopped .
That sounds like a great addition, Cathryn. So glad you enjoyed it!
Really good texture, stayed together brilliantly on my griddle. I didn’t have fresh garlic so used dried ground garlic, and my Italian herb mix was Italian seasoning, so my seasonings were a bit off, I’ll have to play with that, but great recipe, I’ll be making this many more times.
I’m so glad you were happy with this, Meghan! Thanks for popping in with feedback!
I have zero luck with ground Turkey or Chicken, it’s always bone dry(like Bone dry!!!) and being back on WW I’m exchanging (as much as I can) beef to alternatives. This weekend I took out ground Turkey and remembered seeing a post on Instagram about your burger….so today.
Wow just wow Dana, I’m blown away at the simplicity you’ve created for making an amazing AMAZING Turkey burger! Like Zero dryness!!! ZERO! I was worried when the mixture was very wet, but I put them into the fridge and voila! Perfect for the grill 😀😀😀
They grilled perfect 5min each side, and the rest is in my belly and history.
Thanks for saving me from another gross dry Turkey burger!
This makes me SO HAPPY, Heather! Thanks so much for taking the time to bring some feedback. I’ve been changing out beef for turkey and chicken as well to help keep my cholesterol in check and it’s amazing how good it can be with the right things folded into the mix! :)
This is the best turkey burger recipe. This time we did three lbs on a pellet grill at 450. I do fat Patties so time was closer to 20 mins to 170. Did bread crumbs instead of panko and threw in some home grown mad hatter pepper pieces. Thank you for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it, Tim! Love the addition of peppers. Thanks for your feedback :)
Wow! Delicious turkey burgers. I cooked these on our outdoor Blackstone griddle and followed the recipe exactly. They were perfect and we look forward to leftovers for lunch today. This will be my go to recipe from now on.
I’m SO happy to hear this, Anne! The leftovers are always good, too. Enjoy! And thanks so much for popping in with feedback :)
Best turkey burgers I have ever had! I have made them several times, and they are a crowd and family pleaser! My kids always ask when we can make have them again!
This is awesome to hear, Tavo!
Excellent recipe. Cooked in the cast iron skillet. Left out the garlic (I don’t enjoy it) and used a smoke seasoning from Trader Joes that has some garlic in it. Used smoked salt instead of liquid smoke. Great texture and flavor. Husband said they are the best turkey burgers he has ever had.
This makes me so happy, Leigh! And I’m really glad you were able to adapt it to your liking! I appreciate you taking the time to pop in with feedback :)
How long did you cook on cast iron skillet?
Hi Laura, just chiming in: you should be good with 4-5 minutes on each side, medium to medium-high heat depending on how your stovetop cooks. Let us know how it goes!
Made about five times now. Makes you want to actually eat a turkey burger. Great!
Love this! Thanks so much, Bodi. I’m so happy to hear it. Never thought I’d *want* turkey burgers either, haha.
This is my first time making turkey burgers I have to stay away from red meat due to a health issue . These were awesome followed the recipe exactly as written , it was moist and very tasty and did not fall apart at all definitely a keeper thanks
Hi Linda,
I’m so glad you enjoyed these! I’m trying to eat less and less red meat as well. That’s why I thought the world needed a good turkey burger. I’m so glad it’s serving its purpose :)
Can these be baked in the oven?
Absolutely. Line a baking sheet with parchment and bake them at 350º F for 15-20 minutes, or until the patties reach an internal temp of 165º F. I hope this helps!
I didn’t have liquid smoke and used Worcestershire sauce. Very tasty!
Yes! That’s a great substitute. Glad you enjoyed these :)
These are delicious. Can I throw some extras in the freezer before cooking for future use?
So glad, Rick! And absolutely you can. Just thaw them overnight before use and you’ll be good to go :)
I just made these and they came out really good. They did fall apart just a little bit but still really delicious. I also didn’t have liquid smoke. Substituted that with Smoked paprika.
Thanks for the feedback, Tami!
I made these last night using liquid smoke as was suggested. It did make a huge difference. They were delicious. As suggested, I really upped my game on the spices. I do always use the dark/light meat combo of ground Turkey and add just a bit of olive oil for moistness. Keeper suggestions
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kenna!
This is the best turkey burger I’ve ever had! Even my husband liked it and he’s a total beef guy. So happy with this recipe, thank you!
Glad it passed the “beef guy” test, Shayla! ;)
Way too many breadcrumbs it came out very soft and not much flavor. Of course ground turkey is not the best but this did nothing for it.
Hi Brian, I’m shocked to hear this came out with little flavor! This is definitely a first. Sorry it didn’t work out for you. We’ve always had success with this recipe and it seems to be the case with other reviews.
Outstanding! I’ve tried making turkey burgers for the grill in the past and they fell apart, were try or just lacked a lot of flavor.
— And then I found this recipe. It’s easy and delicious! The only thing I did differently is I used cut-up scallions instead of red onion (because I didn’t have any) and I used Greek seasoning instead of Italian. This is definitely a keeper.
Stan! I’m so happy to hear this :)
Scallions sound perfect. I’ll have to try them next time I make these! Thanks so much for popping in with feedback!
How long under the broiler, or in a pan on the stovetop?
I haven’t personally made them on the stovetop or under the broiler. For stovetop I’d say 4-6 minutes per side, preferably on a cast iron skillet, and be sure to keep an eye on the internal temperature. Under the broiler, I’d go about 4 inches away from the heat and cook them 4-6 minutes per side as well. Let me know which method you use and how it goes!
Soo good and super easy recipe to follow! Thumbprint trick worked like a charm!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these, Samantha! That thumbprint trick is a game changer!
Ours came out a little crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside with a wonderful flavor! I think I’ll sub soy sauce next time just to see the difference
Keep me posted if you notice a big difference :)
I made these burgers exactly as stated in the recipe including refrigerating them first. Two out of four totally fell apart on the grill. The other two barely in tact. The flavor was definitely there. Not sure how to change things up to get an in tact burger.
Hi Kate, this is the first I’ve heard of this happening. There are a few things that cause burgers to fall apart on the grill:
1. The meat is too lean, but in this case we’ve used two binding agents (the breadcrumbs and the egg), which help tremendously.
2. The slats on the grill aren’t clean or may need to be lightly greased.
3. Trying to flip the patties too early/before the side on the grill has time to sear.
I hope this helps!
I cooked these on the stove top rather than grill. They stayed together. Great taste. They did not dry out. I will make them again, hopefully, on a grill.
So glad these worked on the stovetop! I’ve had to do the same a few times and thanks to the liquid smoke, they still have that nice smoked/charred flavor.
I ate all four burgers myself :) in one sitting
Hahaha, a woman after my own heart ;)
10/10 genius recipe!
Thank you! :)
I am overly addicted to Butterball Turkey burgers, but they are processed and not organic, so I tried these homemade ones and omg 🤩 they are sooo amazing! I am so happy I have 3 more in the fridge, I will eat these every single night for dinner for the rest of my life. Sharp white cheddar, pickled jalapeños, iceburg lettuce, and mayo on a potato bun.
Lindsey! This makes me so happy :) The leftovers are awesome, too. ENJOY! <3
These are the most favorable turkey burgers. This recipe is a keeper. Loved them’
I’m so happy to hear this, Laurie! Thank you!
Made these for our annual Father’s Day cookout and they were a HIT!
So happy to hear this, Ken!
These were easy to make and easy to eat! Very delicious. We dressed the toasted rolls with cranberry sauce and mayo. I definitely will make again!
Ah, cranberry sauce and mayo sounds amazing! Definitely going to have to try that :)
These are the best Turkey Burgers!
Thanks Kathy! So glad you think so :)
I made this yesterday and loved this turkey burger! So many amazing tastes!
Thank you!
Your pics are making me drool. This burger looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
very delicious and flavorful I didn’t miss beef one bit!
Right? I never miss the beef with this one.
Perfect and not dry AT ALL!!! My whole family loved these burgers!!!
I’m so happy to hear it, Casey!
I loved the turkey patty, looks so juicy and delicious.
I’m so glad, Savita!
My husband LOVED this recipe. Will definitely make again. We used garlic and herb bread crumbs, because it was always had, and it was delicious.
Really happy you guys loved it!
Obsessed with these burgers!
Awesome! They’re so good :)
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 makes me so happy!
This really, really is the best turkey burger. The liquid smoke is such a smart idea.
Thanks, Eric! I love what the liquid smoke adds.
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!
That sounds awesome! Love the addition of spinach.
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.
Yes! Liquid smoke is some kind of magic :)
This was everything a gourmet burger should be, and then some! Hearty, easy and delicious!
Happy to hear, Sara!
Juicy and tasty burger. Easy to follow recipe. Perfect for a family lunch.
Thanks for the feedback, Iryna!
This was a real winner with my family! Thank you!!
You’re very welcome!
Oh wow! These turkey burgers look absolutely fantastic! I love the addition of those spices. So much flavor!
Thanks, Tara!
Nice recipe!
Thanks!
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!
I have been making turkey burgers for years, and have never had this amazing outcome. So delicious!
Thrilled to hear it, Loretta!
Now this is what I call the fantastic burger. True size and the ingredients are… yum!
Thank you!
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!
Thank you!
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.
Amen to that!
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 :)