Turkey burgers are a lighter option that work well for both weeknight dinners and casual grilling. This recipe combines ground turkey with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and simple spices to create burgers that are flavorful, tender, and easy to cook without relying on breadcrumbs or fillers.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Turkey Burgers
🕒 Ready In: ~25 minutes
👪 Serves: 4 burgers
🍽 Calories: ~420 per burger (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder
📖 Dietary Info: High-protein; can be made gluten-free with GF buns
👌 Difficulty: Easy - mix, shape, cook
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The patties hold together well on the grill or in a skillet and develop a nicely browned exterior while staying moist inside. With straightforward shaping and cooking guidance, these turkey burgers are simple to prepare and reliable every time, whether you're cooking outdoors or on the stovetop.
If you enjoy simple burger recipes like this, you may also like our Lamb Burgers, Cheeseburger Salad, or Mushroom Swiss Burger that come together easily and work well for weeknight meals.
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Why You'll Love these Turkey Burgers:
Simple and flavorful: Made with everyday ingredients that add plenty of flavor without extra fillers.
Tender and juicy: Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard help keep the patties moist as they cook.
Easy to cook: Works well on the grill or in a skillet with straightforward timing.
Lighter option: A great alternative to beef burgers that still feels satisfying.
Weeknight-friendly: Quick prep and minimal cleanup make these burgers easy to fit into busy schedules.
Key Ingredients:
- ground turkey: Look for 93% lean for a juicy, flavorful patty. Avoid 99% lean, which can be too dry.
- dijon mustard: Provides a tangy, slightly sharp contrast to the rich turkey.
- mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and moisture, use homemade mayo or feel free to swap with aioli.
- toppings: Classic burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, and red onion give these a fresh, satisfying finish but feel free to swap with your favorite toppings.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use different ground turkey: Lean ground turkey works well, but a blend with a little more fat will produce slightly juicier burgers.
- Change the seasoning: Swap paprika for smoked paprika, or add Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile.
- Make it dairy-free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written, just choose dairy-free buns and toppings if needed.
- Skip the bun: Serve the turkey burgers over a salad, in lettuce wraps, or alongside roasted vegetables for a lighter option.
- Switch up the toppings: Try avocado, sautéed mushrooms, or a different sauce in place of mayonnaise to change things up.
How to Make Turkey Burgers:
- Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface or spray with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands or a spatula until just combined-avoid over mixing to keep the patties tender.
- Divide the ground turkey mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about ¾-inch thick. Press a slight indent in the center of each to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing.
- Place the patties on the grill or in the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until browned on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the last minute of cooking, place the brioche buns cut side down on the grill or skillet until lightly toasted.
- Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun, then layer with lettuce, a cooked turkey patty, tomato slice, red onions, and the top bun.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Don't over mix the meat: Gently mixing the turkey just until combined helps keep the burgers tender rather than dense.
- Make an indent in the center: Pressing a small indentation in each patty helps the burgers cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up.
- Use a thermometer: Turkey burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe, juicy results.
- Let them rest briefly: Allow the burgers to rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: These burgers taste best with sides like our Sautéed Broccolini or Loaded Potato Salad.
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How to Store:
Refrigerate: Store cooked turkey patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the buns and toppings separate to maintain freshness and texture.
Reheating: Warm the patties in a skillet over medium heat to keep the outside crisp, or microwave in short intervals until heated through. Avoid overheating to prevent the turkey from drying out.
Freezing: Freeze uncooked patties in a single layer, wrapped tightly or stored in a freezer-safe bag, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as usual.
Turkey Burgers FAQs:
To keep turkey burgers from drying out, avoid over mixing the meat and cook them just until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard also help add moisture and flavor without needing breadcrumbs or fillers.
Yes, turkey burgers cook well on both the grill and the stovetop. Grilling adds light char and flavor, while a skillet offers more control and even browning, both methods work well for this recipe.
Turkey burgers can fall apart if the meat is over mixed or flipped too early. Shaping firm patties, adding a small indentation in the center, and waiting until the burgers are well-seared before flipping helps them hold together.
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Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 brioche buns
- 4 pieces leaf lettuce
- 4 slices fresh tomato
- 4 slices red onion
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface or spray with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands or a spatula until just combined-avoid over mixing to keep the patties tender.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about ¾-inch thick. Press a slight indent in the center of each to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing.
- Place the patties on the grill or in the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until browned on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the last minute of cooking, place the brioche buns cut side down on the grill or skillet until lightly toasted.
- Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun, then layer with lettuce, a cooked turkey patty, tomato slice, red onion, and the top bun.
Nutrition
Notes
- Don't over mix the meat: Gently mixing the turkey just until combined helps keep the burgers tender rather than dense.
- Make an indent in the center: Pressing a small indentation in each patty helps the burgers cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up.
- Use a thermometer: Turkey burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe, juicy results.
- Let them rest briefly: Allow the burgers to rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: These burgers taste best with sides like our Sautéed Broccolini or Loaded Potato Salad.
Kae says
Made these for dinner, so good!