BBQ Baked Turkey Burgers are a delicious anytime weeknight dinner or main dish for a summer barbecue. Top them with your favorite slaw or pickles and serve on a big fluffy bun, alongside your favorite barbecue side dishes.
2023 Update: This recipe was originally shared in June 2013. I have updated the recipe to make several (instead of one.) It also now includes measurements by weight. The post has been updated to include new photos, as well as more tips and tricks. I hope you love these burgers!
While I don’t look forward to the sweltering days this Texas summer will no doubt bring, I’m thrilled that it’s the time of the year where I can step outside and be engulfed by the smell of a grill firing up and cooking all kinds of delightful meats and veggies.
I’m also thrilled that it’s now acceptable to hang out outdoors for unspecified amounts of time, sipping your summer drink of choice (hello, lemonade) as you hear the ice clinking against the side of your glass.
It’s a fabulous time of year, and this recipe fits right in for the summertime. It combines two of my favorite things: barbecue and burgers.
A great thing about these burgers is that they’re made in the oven. I can understand wanting to grill them, but the burgers are so sticky that they will fall apart and stick to the grill.
I don’t mind that they’re made in the oven, though, and this is one of my favorite ways to get these flavors. That makes them great for rainy days, busy evenings and winter nights when I crave summer barbecue.
Cooking turkey burgers in the oven at 425°F produces juicy, delicious patties with crispy exteriors. While turkey burgers can be pan-fried or grilled, baking them in the oven ensures evenly cooked burgers without the need to monitor and flip each patty individually.
However, knowing the right oven cook time is crucial. Undercook your turkey burgers and they’ll be unsafe to eat. Overcook them and you’ll end up with dried out hockey pucks. So how long exactly should you bake turkey burgers at 425°F? Here I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for perfectly cooked oven-baked turkey burgers every time.
Oven Temperature for Turkey Burgers
Preheating your oven to 425°F is ideal for baking turkey burgers. This relatively high temperature helps the burgers develop a nice brown exterior with a crisp texture while still cooking through fully. The heat circulates evenly around the patties from all sides preventing drying out.
Lower oven temperatures (350°F or under) will cook the burgers but won’t promote browning And temperatures above 425°F can overcook the exterior before the inside is done
If you want to develop char or grill marks on your turkey burgers, you can use the oven’s broiler for 1-2 minutes after baking. But for the main cooking, 425°F is just right.
How Long to Bake Turkey Burgers Based on Thickness
The most important factor determining turkey burger bake time is patty thickness. Thinner burgers will cook faster, while thicker ones require more time in the 425°F oven.
Here are general guidelines based on turkey burger thickness:
- 4 oz. patties, 0.5-inches thick – Bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes
- 1/4 lb. patties, 0.75-inches thick – Bake at 425°F for 15-18 minutes
- 1/3 lb. patties, 1-inch thick – Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes
- 1/2 lb. patties, 1.5-inches thick – Bake at 425°F for 22-25 minutes
These times are for fully thawed turkey burger patties. If baking frozen turkey burgers, add 3-5 minutes to the bake times above.
No matter what size your turkey burgers are, using an instant read thermometer is the best way to assess doneness. The patties should register 165°F at the thickest part when done.
Seasoning and Flavoring Turkey Burger Patties
One concern when oven-baking turkey burgers is drying out. To help keep them moist, mix in a couple tablespoons of broth, yogurt, or ketchup when forming the patties.
Seasoning is also key for maximum flavor. Turkey burger patties benefit from spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, and chives also lend flavor.
In terms of mix-ins, chopped onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and cheese cubes add moisture and texture. Condiments like barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, and salsa also give a flavor boost when added to the raw patties.
Just don’t overmix – too many add-ins can prevent the turkey burgers holding together.
How to Bake Turkey Burgers in the Oven
Once you’ve formed your seasoned turkey burger patties, follow these steps for oven baking success:
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
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Arrange patties on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart to allow air circulation.
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Bake at 425°F until no longer pink inside and juicy, 10-25 minutes depending on thickness.
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Flip patties halfway through bake time for even cooking on both sides.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check internal temperature.
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Let burgers rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Serve on buns with desired toppings and condiments.
Baking turkey burgers in the oven prevents the need for repeatedly flipping patties on the stovetop or grill. You can bake an entire tray at once for quick weekday dinners or backyard cookouts.
Mistakes to Avoid When Baking Turkey Burgers
To ensure perfect oven-baked turkey burgers, sidestep these common mistakes:
- Overcrowding the tray – Leave space between patties for air circulation
- Undercooking – Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness
- Pressing down with a spatula – Don’t flatten patties as they cook or juices will escape
- Adding too many mix-ins – Excess vegetables or cheese makes patties prone to falling apart
- Baking frozen patties without extending time – Add 5+ minutes if patties are frozen
- Neglecting to preheat – Preheat the oven fully before baking
As long as you avoid these pitfalls and follow the tips in this article, your oven-baked turkey burgers will turn out juicy and delicious every time.
Serving Suggestions for Baked Turkey Burgers
Baked turkey burgers pair well with classic burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, or mayo. Cheese, bacon, guacamole, and salsa are also great choices.
On the side, options like oven fries, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans complement the baked turkey burgers nicely.
Or turn your burgers into entrees by serving them over green salads, roasted veggies, or whole grain pilafs.
Leftover baked turkey burgers reheat well in the microwave or oven for quick meals later in the week. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Oven-Baked Turkey Burger Recipes to Try
If you’re new to oven-baked turkey burgers, these flavorful recipes are sure to please:
- Baked BBQ Turkey Burgers – Brushed with homemade barbecue sauce
- Jalapeño Turkey Burgers – Stuffed with spicy jalapeño and cheddar
- Mediterranean Turkey Burgers – Feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil
- Southwestern Turkey Burgers – Chili powder, cumin, and avocado
- Cajun Turkey Burgers – Cayenne, paprika, onion, and bell pepper
The oven does all the hard work with these flavor-packed turkey burger recipes. Just mix up the patties, bake at 425°F until cooked through, and enjoy restaurant-worthy turkey burgers from your own kitchen.
The Takeaway on Oven Cook Time for Juicy Turkey Burgers
Cooking turkey burgers in the oven at 425°F delivers tender, moist patties with a delicious crust when following a few simple guidelines:
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Preheat oven fully before baking
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Use an instant read thermometer to assess doneness
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Bake thinner patties for less time than thicker ones
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Season patties well and avoid over-mixing
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Bake burgers in a single layer without overcrowding
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Extend bake time for frozen patties
Mastering the oven baking process means you can skip stovetop flipping and enjoy tender turkey burgers any night of the week.
So preheat your oven to 425°F, mix up a batch of your favorite turkey burger patties, and get ready to enjoy the juiciest oven-baked burgers ever. With the right technique, oven-baked turkey burgers can be even more moist and flavorful than grilling.
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BBQ Turkey Burger Toppings
If you’re serving barbecue burgers, you’re going to need lots of toppings. Take it from a Memphis girl who now lives in Texas.
Here’s are some favorite burger toppings I suggest adding to your juicy burger:
- BBQ sauce: A classic sauce is always good, or you can try different flavors like pumpkin barbecue sauce.
- Pickles: Use your favorite here, or skip if you’re not a pickle person. Dill pickles, bread and butter pickles or even fried pickles are all worth trying.
- Melted cheese: These are burgers, so it’s okay to use burger toppings. A slice of cheddar cheese is classic, or go for American, pepper jack, monterey jack, goat cheese, white cheddar, blue cheese or whatever your favorite is.
- Crispy onion strings: You could also use baked onion rings on the burgers, too.
- Lettuce: A leaf of butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce will work well here.
- Tomatoes: Highly recommend homegrown or farmers market tomatoes! Otherwise a slice of roma or beefsteak tomato works well.
- Onions: Go for slices of white onion or red onion, or step it up a notch with pickled onions, fried onion straws or caramelized onions.
- Ranch: If you like ranch on your burgers, these would be great with homemade ranch dressing.
- Condiments, like mustard and ketchup
What you need to make this recipe:
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In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need:
- Lean ground turkey breast — I recommend getting a leaner meat for these. You can also use frozen protein that’s been fully thawed.
- Barbecue sauce — use your favorite BBQ sauce here or make your own. This homemade barbecue sauce is my fave and makes for the most flavorful burger.
- Dry rub for barbecue — I like to make my own Memphis-style BBQ rub but you can also find dry rubs in the spice aisle of your grocery store.
- Salt and pepper — Kosher or sea salt plus freshly-cracked black pepper will send these over the top.
- Hamburger buns — get your favorite or use the best you can afford. Brioche hamburger buns are delicious. Gluten-free buns work, too. And I won’t judge you if you want to skip the bun and enjoy this burger over a salad or as a lettuce wrap. (Though it’s a little messy!)
If you don’t want to use turkey, you can swap it with ground chuck or a lean ground beef and follow the same method. I still recommend baking the burgers instead of throwing them on a grill, since the barbecue sauce makes these burgers sticky.
Juicy Turkey Burger Recipe
How long do you cook a turkey burger?
Cook the turkey burgers for approximately 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the burgers over with a spatula. Continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the turkey burger patties and your oven’s efficiency.
Can you cook a turkey burger in the oven?
Baked Turkey Burgers – Cooking turkey burgers in the oven is EASY! It locks in juices and there’s less mess! Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Season both sides of turkey patties with salt and pepper if you wish, and place them in baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. White turkey patties are baking, fry your turkey bacon in a skillet.
What temperature should turkey burgers be cooked at?
It is always recommended to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers are fully cooked. While the recommended temperature for baking turkey burgers is 375°F (190°C), you can adjust the oven temperature slightly to achieve the desired cooking results. Here are a few temperature adjustments you can consider:
How do you cook turkey burgers on a grill?
Arrange the patties in a single layer in a parchment paper-lined baking dish and freeze. Be sure your grill grates are clean and heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Grill burgers about 5-6 minutes per side, until cooked through. I love cooking turkey burgers in my cast iron skillet!