These juicy turkey burgers are topped with cheddar cheese and a simple cilantro-jalapeño slaw. This is the BEST turkey burger recipe; perfect for cookouts or an easy weeknight dinner!
Burger nights are the best nights, according to my boys. They LOVE a good burger. They love our ultimate burger, but these Turkey Burgers are another favorite. They request them often, especially with fries on the side.
If you aren’t that excited about turkey burgers, I get it. It’s true that some turkey burgers are dry and don’t have a lot of flavor. If you’ve had a bad experience, I am sorry, BUT don’t let that stop you from making this recipe.
This is the BEST turkey burger recipe because the burgers are JUICY, tender, full of flavor, and delicious. Plus, they are kid approved:)
And now let me tell you the secret to making juicy turkey burgers. One word, zucchini. YES! Adding shredded zucchini to the ground turkey makes the burgers super moist. I promise you can’t taste it. Just trust me on this one.
We also add in onion, garlic, spices, that give the burgers lots of flavor. Grill to perfection and top with cheese. Serve on a toasted bun with the most incredible cilantro-jalapeño slaw. The slaw is sweet, tangy, and fresh! It is the perfect addition to the burgers, don’t skip it.
Turkey burgers are great for an easy weeknight meal or you can grill them up at your next family BBQ. I guarantee they will be a crowd pleaser.
The slaw isn’t mandatory but it really makes the burgers extra special. I highly recommend you make it to top off the burgers!
Turkey burgers are a great healthy alternative to beef burgers. They are lower in fat and calories while still being packed with protein. However, because turkey meat is naturally leaner than beef, it can easily dry out during cooking. That’s why it’s important to pick juicy and flavorful toppings for your turkey burger. The right condiments and toppings will add moisture and prevent your turkey burger from ending up dry and bland. Here are 12 of the best ideas for what to put on a turkey burger:
1. Cheese
Adding a slice of melted cheese on top of your turkey burger is a simple way to boost the flavor. Cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, provolone, and mozarella are all great options. The cheese not only adds creamy richness, it also helps keep the patty moist. To prevent the cheese from sliding off, place it on the burger during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking so it melts nicely.
2. Avocado or Guacamole
Creamy, buttery avocado is an amazing burger topping You can simply slice half an avocado and place it on your cooked turkey burger. Or make some fresh guacamole to spoon on top The healthy fats in the avocado will balance out the lean turkey meat perfectly.
3. Caramelized Onions
Sweet, softened onions add a ton of flavor to turkey burgers. Saute sliced onions in olive oil or butter over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until nicely browned and caramelized. Pile these sweet sautéed onions onto your burger for extra juiciness and taste
4. Crispy Bacon
You really can’t go wrong pairing turkey with smoky, salty bacon. Cook up a few strips of bacon until nice and crispy. Crumble the bacon over the burger or place strips on top for delicious crunch in every bite. The rendered bacon fat will help keep the turkey burger moist.
5. Fried Egg
A runny fried egg takes any burger up a notch. Simply fry an egg in olive oil or butter, making sure the yolk stays runny. Place the fried egg right on top of the cooked turkey burger and dig in while the yolk is still warm and oozy. Delicious!
6. Barbecue Sauce
BBQ sauce is classic on burgers and works great with turkey too Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce adds lots of flavor and moisture to prevent dry turkey burgers Drizzle your favorite bbq sauce directly on the cooked patty or use it to dress burger buns.
7. Jalapeños
Fresh sliced jalapeño peppers add a nice spicy kick and crunch to turkey burgers. If you like things spicy, scatter sliced pickled jalapeños on top of the cooked burger. For milder heat, use fresh jalapeños and remove the seeds first.
8. Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw makes an awesome burger topping. The cool cabbage and carrots contrast nicely with the hot turkey patty. Try topping your burger with a tangy vinegar-based coleslaw for great texture and moisture.
9. Pickles
Briny, crunchy pickle slices or relish lend great flavor to turkey burgers. The vinegar also helps keep the patty from drying out. Try topping with dill pickle chips and spread on some spicy pickle relish for maximum impact.
10. Hummus
For Mediterranean flavor, try spreading hummus on your turkey burger bun. The creamy chickpea hummus adds interest along with healthy fat and protein. It also pairs wonderfully with typical burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, and onion.
11. Salsa
Fresh, colorful salsa makes an excellent moist and vibrant topping for turkey burgers. Try a traditional tomato salsa, or get creative with mango, pineapple, corn, or black bean salsa. The possibilities are endless for amazing salsa toppings.
12. Pesto
Herby green pesto or sundried tomato pesto spread onto burger buns brings big flavor punch. Basil pesto also provides healthy fats that balance out the turkey’s leanness. Try garnishing the pesto turkey burger simply with mozzarella or feta cheese.
Those are 12 of the tastiest options for what to top your turkey burger with. Get creative and come up with your own signature turkey burger with delicious condiments and toppings! A well-built turkey burger with juicy fixings can definitely compete with any beef burger.
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What to Serve on the Side
You can keep things simple and serve the burgers with potato chips and a pickle or you can add a few side dishes. Here are a few of our favorites.
How to Make Turkey Burgers
- Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- To make the burgers, put the ground turkey in a large bowl. Squeeze out all the moisture of the shredded zucchini in paper towels. Add the zucchini, onion, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the turkey. Mix until combined, but don’t over mix. Form the mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.
- Place the patties on the prepared tray or baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Freezing the patties will prevent the burgers from falling apart on the grill.
- Make the slaw while the patties are chilling.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat and brush with oil. Grill the burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, melting the cheese on top of the burgers during the last minute. Make sure you don’t over cook the burgers. Nobody wants to eat a dry turkey burger:)
- Place the burgers on the toasted buns and top with slaw. Serve immediately.
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can cook the the turkey burgers in a skillet or grill pan, in the oven, or even in the Air Fryer. The cook time will vary a little, depending on the thickness of the burger. A turkey burger is fully cooked when the center of the burger reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Skillet or Grill Pan– Heat your skillet or grill pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil. Cook the burgers the burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
- Oven– Baked turkey burgers are easy to make. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Place the patties on a a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the burgers. Cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Air Fryer– Preheat your Air Fryer to 360° F. Spray the basket or rack with nonstick cooking spray. Place your burgers in the Air Fryer, in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through, flipping halfway.
Again, we highly recommend serving the burgers with the slaw. It is the BEST, but if you want to build your own burger, here are some other topping ideas.
Top the burgers with:
- Ketchup
- Mustard or Honey Mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Lettuce or Arugula
- Tomato
- Red onion or pickled red onions
- Pickles
- Candied jalapeño’s
- Bacon
- Avocado or Guacamole
- Cheese- we use cheddar, but Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Provolone would be good too!