These Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are so flavorful and simple to make. You can even make them up ahead of time and freeze them for later!
I like to make up a batch or two and freeze them before cooking to have a quick and healthy turkey burger that I can put on a salad or a bun for a quick lunch.
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Turkey burgers are one of those things that I always want to like, but just kind of fall short on flavor and tend to be dry. With this recipe, Ive bumped up the flavor and the cooking technique leaves the burgers with the perfect outer crust and a juicy, yet fully cooked, center.
To say that Im in love with these Southwestern Turkey Burgers is an understatement. I always try to keep some in the freezer for a quick lunch when I really dont feel like cooking!
Yes, of course! I would skip the egg because the fat in the ground beef will keep them juicy.
Absolutely! I will go over my suggestions for cooking times in various appliances later in the article.
Yes! If you dont like the seasonings Im using in this recipe, simply switch them up for the ones you like. I do recommend adding in some sort of veggie when using ground turkey to give some added moisture and I think it has a better texture. Ill go over some options below.
Of course! Simply double or triple the ingredients and make up as many turkey burgers as you want. You may not need 3 eggs if you are making up a triple batch, so use your judgement as to the wetness of the mixture.
Yes, you can freeze them either cooked or raw. Directions for both are in the post below.
If you are interested in more healthy recipes, I have put several in one place for easy access.
The Ninja Foodi Grill has become a popular kitchen appliance for its versatility in grilling, air frying, baking, roasting and more. Its unique heating elements and smart grill technology allow you to make everything from steaks to veggies with delicious char-grilled flavor. But how long should you cook turkey burgers in the Ninja Foodi Grill for the best results?
Keep reading this comprehensive guide to get the timing just right for tender, juicy turkey burgers cooked to perfection every time
Key Factors That Affect Turkey Burger Cook Times
There are a few key factors that impact how long turkey burgers take to cook in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
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Thickness – Thinner patties cook faster than thick ones, A general rule is 8-10 minutes per side for patties around 1/2 inch thick
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Temperature – Preheating to 400°F or higher ensures a nice sear while cooking the burgers through
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Frozen vs. Fresh – Frozen patties take a bit longer than fresh, as the grill must first thaw them.
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Doneness Preference – Cook for the minimum recommended time if you prefer them a bit pink inside or longer for well-done.
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Fat Content – Lean turkey burgers cook slightly faster than higher fat versions.
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Lid Position – Keeping the lid closed maintains heat and moisture. Open-lid grilling adds time.
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Quantity – Cooking a large batch together increases overall grill time.
So patty thickness, temperature, frozen vs. fresh, and doneness preference are key factors to consider when determining turkey burger cook time.
Recommended Cook Times Based on Patty Thickness
Here are the approximate grill times for turkey burgers of different thicknesses:
- 1/4 inch thick patties: 4-5 minutes per side
- 1/2 inch thick patties: 8-10 minutes per side
- 3/4 inch thick patties: 12-14 minutes per side
- 1 inch thick patties: 16-18 minutes per side
For any thickness, use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the patties rest 3-5 minutes before serving.
Best Practices for Grilling Turkey Burgers
Follow these tips for grilling exceptionally delicious turkey burgers on the Ninja Foodi:
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Preheat Properly – Heat the grill for 5-10 minutes at 400°F or higher before adding patties.
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Use a Little Oil – Brush or spray grill lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
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Don’t Press Burgers – Let them cook undisturbed to lock in juices.
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Flip Only Once – Flipping frequently can dry them out.
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Add Cheese at End – If using cheese, add slices when almost done so it melts nicely.
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Test Temperature – Use a food thermometer to confirm doneness.
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Let Rest – Allow 3-5 minutes of rest time before serving for juiciest burgers.
Adapting Cook Times for Frozen Turkey Burgers
Cooking frozen turkey burger patties in the Ninja Foodi Grill is easy. Simply add 3-5 minutes per side to the cook time of fresh patties.
So for 1⁄2-inch frozen patties, cook for approximately 11-13 minutes per side until 165°F is reached internally. Monitor closely and adjust time as needed.
Partially thawing the frozen patties first in the refrigerator can help reduce overall grill time. But cooking them completely frozen works well too.
Using Ninja Foodi Grill Features for Turkey Burgers
The Ninja Foodi Grill offers cooking options like air crisp and dehydrate that can also be used to cook turkey burgers.
Air Crisp
The air crisp setting uses super-hot air to create a crispy exterior on foods like turkey burgers. Cook at 400°F for the same time as grilling.
Dehydrate
Lower heat around 150°F slowly dries and intensifies flavor. Dehydrate partially cooked patties for 1-2 hours for unique turkey jerky burgers.
Smoke/Sear
The smoke setting infuses burgers with smoky flavor at 180°F for 15-30 minutes before searing.
So feel free to experiment with different programs to add variety!
Internal Temperature Guide for Properly Cooked Turkey Burgers
Use these guidelines to determine when turkey burgers are safely cooked:
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Rare: 140°F internal temperature
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Medium-Rare: 145°F
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Medium: 155°F
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Well-Done: 165°F
The USDA and food safety experts recommend cooking turkey burgers to 165°F minimum since ground turkey can harbor bacteria.
Letting burgers rest after grilling allows the internal temperature to rise further. Always use a food thermometer to accurately assess doneness.
Making the Juiciest Turkey Burgers in the Ninja Foodi
Here are some pro tips for keeping turkey burgers incredibly moist and delicious when cooked in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
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Choose turkey with some fat – Lean ground turkey dries out more easily. Opt for 85% lean or use olive oil and breadcrumbs to help retain moisture.
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Don’t overwork the meat when forming patties – Gently shape them without compacting too much.
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Consider brining – Soaking turkey patties in a saltwater brine for 30 minutes can boost juiciness.
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Add a little egg and breadcrumbs to help bind juices inside the burgers.
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Cook at a high temp to get a quick sear then reduce heat to finish cooking more gently.
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Brush with oil or sauce in the last few minutes to help keep the surface from drying.
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Allow proper rest time before cutting into patties so juices can redistribute.
Cooking Turkey Burgers from Scratch with Ground Turkey
You can easily make tasty turkey burgers from scratch using fresh ground turkey. Here are some tips:
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Choose ground turkey that is 85% lean for the best texture and moisture.
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Add a little egg, breadcrumbs, diced onion, and seasoning to bind and boost flavor.
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Gently form into patties, being careful not to overwork the meat which can toughen it.
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Make indentations with your thumb on the top side before grilling to prevent puffing.
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Grill 1/2 inch fresh patties for 8-10 minutes per side until 165°F internally.
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Brush with oil and flip once during grilling for even browning and cooking.
Making your own turkey burger patties allows you to control the quality and customize the flavor.
Ingredients to Enhance Turkey Burger Flavor
While turkey burger patties are healthy, they can sometimes lack flavor, so try mixing in or topping with these ingredients:
- Diced onion, garlic, mushrooms, or other veggies
- Grated cheese like cheddar, pepper jack, or goat cheese
- Bacon crumbles or ham
- Sauces like pesto, salsa, barbecue, ranch, etc.
- Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro
- Spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, curry powder
- Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, or mayo
- Breadcrumbs, egg, and nut butter help retain moisture
Get creative with combinations to build the ultimate turkey burger!
Top Turkey Burger Recipe Ideas
Here are just a few recipe ideas for tasty turkey burgers to make in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
- BBQ Turkey Burgers – Cheddar cheese, bacon, onion, barbecue sauce
- Southwest Turkey Burgers – Pepper jack, guacamole, salsa
- Mediterranean Turkey Burgers – Feta, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, basil
- Hawaiian Turkey Burgers – Grilled pineapple, teriyaki sauce
- Veggie Turkey Burgers – Mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, spinach
- Jalapeno Popper Turkey Burgers – Jalapeno, cream cheese, cheddar
Endless options for creative, mouthwatering turkey burger recipes!
Can You Grill Turkey Burgers and Veggies Simultaneously?
Absolutely! One benefit of the Ninja Foodi Grill is the ability to cook proteins and veggies at the same time.
Try adding veggie kabobs, sliced onions or zucchini, corn on the cob, or other favorites right on the grill while cooking your turkey burgers.
Just be sure to place them on the upper racks or outer edges so they don’t get overcooked from meat drippings. Monitor both components and remove each when done.
Achieving Turkey Burger Perfection in the Ninja Foodi
With the right timing and technique, you can make irresistibly delicious turkey burgers in the Ninja Foodi Grill. Adjust cooking times based on thickness, temperature and doneness preferences for
Forming the Turkey Burgers
Ground turkey is sticky. It sticks to everything, including your fingers. The turkey mixture in this recipe is on the wet side to keep the turkey burgers nice and moist after cooking, so forming the patties can be a pain if you try to do it by hand.
I found, using a scoop and placing the turkey mixture onto a piece of parchment makes it super easy to form and refrigerate these turkey burgers.
What I do is take a sheet of parchment about 6″ x 12″ and place the scoop of mixture on one side. Fold the parchment over the mixture and press to make a burger patty. I found the (affiliate link)Large Scoop from Pampered Chef works great, but you can use any scoop. You want about 3-4 Tablespoons of the turkey mixture for each patty.
Then, fold the parchment over the turkey mixture and gently press to form the patty. Remove the top layer of parchment. You will have some stick, but not enough to worry about. You could spritz the parchment with oil, but I dont bother with that.
The Turkey Burger Mixture
You can use any kind of ground turkey you want, Ive used both the 97/3 and the 85/15 and the recipe works with either kind. I usually make it with the 97/3 though.
I use the finely diced vegetables for flavor, appearance, and for moisture. You can certainly adapt the recipe by omitting some of the veggies and increasing the amounts of the ones you like, but I do recommend using at least 1 kind of veggie for texture and moisture.
Turkey burgers can be dense and rubbery, and these additions help prevent that.
If you want to skip the egg, add in 1-2 tablespoon of another type of liquid. You can use hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or even milk.
Seasonings are very important when using ground turkey, so, at the very least, make sure to season well with salt and pepper if you dont want to use the seasonings I did.
If you arent sure if your ground turkey is seasoned well enough, pinch a little off and air crisp it for a few minutes (until its done) and give it a taste. That way you can adjust the seasonings before you cook the burgers and they will be perfect for you.
NINJA FOODI XL GRILL TURKEY BURGERS! | Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill Recipes!
FAQ
How long to cook burgers on a Ninja grill?
How long does it take to cook turkey burgers in an air fryer?
How long should I grill turkey burgers for?
Can you cook a turkey in the Ninja Foodi grill?
How long do you cook burgers in a ninja foodi Grill?
When it comes to cooking burgers in a Ninja Foodi Grill, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the burger and how well done you prefer it. Generally, for a medium-rare burger (which is the recommended temperature for juicier, more flavorful burgers), you’ll want to cook it for about 6 minutes on each side for a 1-inch thick patty.
Can you cook turkey burgers in Ninja foodi Grill?
Yes, you can absolutely cook turkey burgers in the Ninja Foodi Grill. The cooking times will be similar to beef burgers, but it’s important to ensure that the internal temperature of the turkey burger reaches 165°F to ensure that it’s fully cooked. 6. Do I need to flip the burgers while cooking in the Ninja Foodi Grill?
How to cook Ninja foodi burgers?
Cooking spray or oil: Use non-stick cooking spray or oil to prevent the burgers from sticking to the grill plates. To master Ninja Foodi Grill burgers for the perfect grilled flavor, you’ll need the following ingredients: Lean Ground Beef: Opt for ground beef with an 80% lean, 20% fat ratio for juiciness and flavor.
Can you cook bison burgers in Ninja foodi Grill?
Yes, bison and lamb burgers can be cooked in the Ninja Foodi Grill. The cooking times will be similar to beef burgers, but it’s important to ensure that the internal temperature reaches the recommended temperature for the desired level of doneness.