This turkey burger is so juicy and tasty that you may not want to go back to beef! Featuring freshly chopped veggies and herbs, this turkey burger packs a healthy AND delicious punch.
If you're trying to make things a little healthier by switching from red meat to turkey, or if you just like to mix things up from the usual burger routine, this turkey burger recipe will not disappoint!
If you're looking for other variations on the standard burger, you can also try this cheeseburger salad plate (yes: fries are included!) And if you need some side dish ideas for your burgers, I love this Asian sautéed Swiss chard or this red potato salad with dill.
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🌿 Ingredients
I wanted to keep things as fresh as possible in this burger recipe, with chopped veggies and herbs to make the flavor really pop. All of these ingredients should be available at any standard grocery store.
See recipe card below for exact quantities.
📝 Instructions
First, wash and dice a little red pepper and onion, mince a clove of garlic, thinly slice the white and light green parts of a couple scallions, and chop a few sprigs of parsley.
Then, place your ground turkey and some olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients, and then mix everything so that it's well combined.
Pro tip: I like to start mixing with a spoon and then switch to my hands to mix, to ensure that everything incorporates really well.
How to make turkey burgers
Add a little more olive oil to a large skillet and warm on the stove over medium-high heat.
Next, divide the turkey mixture into four even sections forming each into a burger.
Pro tip: Keep in mind that turkey burgers will shrink a bit as they cook, so it's perfectly normal to start with what seem like oversized burgers.
Cook your burgers for 4-5 minutes on the first side or until the bottom sides brown nicely.
Finally, flip the burgers and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The other side should be nice and brown now as well, and the middle of the burger should be cooked through.
Plate your burgers with your favorite buns, lettuce, red onion and anything else you'd like.
Making turkey burgers in the oven
If you'd prefer to cook your burgers in the oven, no problem! First grease a baking dish with olive oil. Then, bake your patties at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
📋 Substitutions
These turkey burgers are naturally gluten free, dairy free and egg free. Here are some common substitutions:
- Red pepper - use orange, yellow or green pepper, or just leave out and use a little extra onion
- Red onion - use yellow or white onion
- Garlic - use a little garlic powder if you don't have any fresh garlic on hand
- Scallions - use chives, leeks or just leave out and use a little extra onion
- Parsley - use some dried parsley if you don't have fresh on hand
- Ground turkey - use ground chicken or ground beef
- Olive oil - use avocado or canola oil
- Apple cider vinegar - use white vinegar
- Brown sugar - use coconut sugar or white sugar
- Dried oregano - use dried basil, parsley or Italian seasoning
📖 Variations
To mix things up a little, feel free to try any of these turkey burger variations:
- Spicy - add some red chili pepper flakes or a little cayenne powder
- Deluxe - add guacamole, bacon, sliced cheese or sautéed mushrooms to top your burger
- Kid friendly - top with ketchup and pickles and serve with French fries or tater tots
🔪 Equipment
Here is the equipment you'll need to make homemade turkey burgers:
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- large skillet
- metal spatula
🍱 Storage
Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
🎉 Top tip
My top tip in this recipe would be to use dark ground turkey meat rather than ground turkey breast. Your burgers will be so much juicier and hold together perfectly just like a hamburger.
Enjoy!
🍳 Recipe
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅛ red pepper
- ⅛ red onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 scallions
- 2-3 sprigs fresh parsley
- 1 pound ground turkey dark meat will make it juicier
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt plus more to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Wash and dice the red pepper and onion, mince the garlic, thinly slice the white and light green parts of the scallions, and chop the parsley.
- Combine: Place the turkey and half the olive oil in a large mixing bowl and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to combine. I like to start mixing with a spoon or a spatula, and then switch to my hands to continue mixing.
- Cook: Add the remaining olive oil to a large skillet and warm on the stove over medium-high heat. While the oil warms, divide the turkey mixture into four even sections and form each section into a burger. Keep in mind that burgers will shrink a bit as they cook, so it's okay for them to look too large for the buns when you form them. Once the oil shimmers, add the burgers and cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side until the bottom side browns nicely. Flip the burgers and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the other side browns and the middle of the burger is cooked through (see notes).
- Enjoy: Plate your burgers with your favorite buns, lettuce, red onion and anything else you'd like. Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
Notes
Nutrition
🌡️ Food safety
- Cook turkey to a minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C)
- Don't wash raw turkey to avoid spreading germs
- Use separate kitchen tools and utensils for prepping raw meat
- Wash hands in warm soapy water after handling raw meat
- Never leave food unattended on a hot stove
- Refrigerate leftover turkey within 2 hours
See more guidelines at foodsafety.gov.
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