These Greek Turkey Burgers are a weeknight staple! Ground turkey mixed with roasted red peppers, feta, and the perfect blend of spices paired with a tzatziki inspired sauce to complete the burger. Eat these burgers alone for a carb conscious or on a bun for the ultimate sandwich!
Lately, the days have felt shorter and shorter so quick and easy meals are a weekly menu must have. I love burger night. I also REALLY love Greek inspired food. If you’re new around these parts my recipe for Greek Chicken Bowls has been a family and fan favorite for YEARS now. I wanted to create a fresh, healthy, protein rich, and easy meal that can be ready in under 30 minutes from fridge to table. That’s exactly where these Greek Turkey Burgers come into the picture. I know y’all will love’m!
Let’s face it, ground turkey on its own is pretty boring. Adding delicious mix-ins (like roasted red pepper, grated onion, and feta) into the patty adds incredible flavor and also helps keep the burger juicy because we all know ground turkey can get kind of dry and be bland.
This Greek Turkey Burger recipe also reheats super well. I can make a batch or two and throw’m into the fridge to reheat for extra easy lunches throughout the week. My meal prep game can be weak sometimes, but I definitely get excited about it when these turkey burgers are on the menu.
I love to make this quick sauce to pair with the burger. I feel like the turkey burger has enough flavor to hold its own, but throwing these few ingredients together really tie it all together. This is not Tzatziki sauce, but it’s inspired by the flavors. Try my favorite tzatziki sauce recipe sometime with these!
Make the sauce before the turkey burgers so that the flavors have a minute to settle together. Whisk all the ingredients below together and place in the fridge while you prepare the burgers.
Greek turkey burgers are one of my favorite healthy weeknight meals. They are packed with bold Greek flavors like feta, spinach, and kalamata olives, and come together in under 30 minutes. This Greek turkey burger recipe will quickly become a regular in your dinner rotation.
I’ve made various versions of Greek turkey burgers over the years, tweaking the recipe here and there to get the absolute perfect balance of flavors. After lots of testing, I’m sharing my ultimate Greek turkey burger recipe with you today!
Why You’ll Love This Greek Turkey Burger Recipe
There are so many reasons why this recipe for Greek turkey burgers is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner!
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Packed with flavor – The addition of feta cheese, kalamata olives, spinach, and Greek seasoning gives these turkey burgers tons of delicious Greek flavor. You’ll fall in love after the first bite!
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Super juicy – I have some tricks for keeping these turkey burgers nice and moist so they don’t end up dry More on that later!
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Easy to make – From start to finish, you can have these burgers on the table in under 30 minutes. They come together with just 10 main ingredients too!
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Lower in fat – By using 93% lean ground turkey and feta cheese as the main sources of fat, these burgers are lower in fat and calories than traditional beef burgers.
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Customizable – Serve them as sandwiches with all your favorite toppings or enjoy the patties on their own over a salad for a lighter meal. I give serving suggestions too!
Let’s get to the recipe so you can start enjoying these tasty Greek turkey burgers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for these Greek turkey burgers is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Ground turkey – I prefer 93% lean ground turkey breast for the leanest burgers. Ground turkey thigh or a 80/20 blend would work too.
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Feta cheese – For the best flavor, use an authentic Greek feta. The saltiness balances out the other flavors perfectly.
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Kalamata olives – Briny, salty kalamata olives add big Greek flavor. Chop them up finely.
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Fresh spinach – Extra nutrition and moisture. Wilt it down first.
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Garlic – For aromatic flavor. Use minced garlic.
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Greek seasoning – A blend of oregano, thyme, rosemary, and more. Use a good quality one.
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Ground cumin – Adds warmth.
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Egg – Helps bind the burgers together.
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Panko breadcrumbs – Adds light texture without drying out the burgers.
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Olive oil – For cooking the patties.
And that’s it for the main ingredients! Now let’s get to the fun part – putting them all together.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Here is a simple step-by-step overview of what you’ll do:
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Cook the spinach – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
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Make the burger mixture – In a large bowl, combine the cooled spinach, ground turkey, feta, kalamata olives, seasonings, egg, and panko. Mix just until combined.
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Form the patties – Form the mixture into patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Make an indentation in the center with your thumb to prevent puffing up.
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Cook the patties – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side.
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Finish cooking in the oven – Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes to ensure the burgers are cooked through.
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Assemble the burgers – Serve the patties on buns with your desired toppings like tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce. You can also skip the bun and enjoy them on their own over a salad!
It’s as easy as that! Now for more details on each step.
Step 1: Cook the Spinach
First up, you’ll quickly wilt down some spinach on the stove. Here’s how:
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Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add 5 ounces of fresh spinach. Toss and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
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Let the spinach cool slightly, then chop it. This will help add moisture and nutrients to your burgers.
Step 2: Make the Burger Mixture
In a large bowl, combine all the burger ingredients:
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1 1⁄2 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
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Cooked spinach
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1⁄3 cup crumbled feta
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1⁄4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
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1 egg
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2 Tbsp panko breadcrumbs
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1 1⁄2 tsp Greek seasoning
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1 tsp cumin
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1⁄2 tsp each salt and pepper
Mix the ingredients just until combined evenly. Overmixing will result in dense, rubbery burgers.
Step 3: Form the Patties
Form the turkey mixture into 5 equal-sized patties, about 1⁄2-inch thick.
Pro tip: Make them a little wider than your burger buns since the patties will shrink up a bit during cooking.
Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each patty. This will prevent puffing up as they cook.
Step 4: Cook the Burgers
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Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely browned.
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Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.
Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Turkey burgers should reach 165°F internally.
Step 5: Build Your Burgers
Time for the fun part – piling on toppings and devouring these tasty Greek turkey burgers!
You can serve them a couple different ways:
As a sandwich:
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Toasted whole wheat bun
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Lettuce, tomato, red onion
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Cucumber slices
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Tzatziki sauce
Over a salad:
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Arugula or lettuce
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Cherry tomatoes
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Cucumber slices
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Red onions
Either way, I recommend topping them with extra crumbled feta cheese for a pop of salty, Greek flavor!
Tips for Keeping Your Turkey Burgers Moist
The key to juicy, flavorful turkey burgers is avoiding overworking and overcooking the meat. Follow these tips:
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Use a meat thermometer – Cook to 165°F internally.
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Avoid compacting patties – Gently mix ingredients.
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Make an indentation – Prevents puffing up.
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Use breadcrumbs – Adds moisture.
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Cook at high heat – Sear patties to lock in moisture.
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Let rest before serving – Allows juices to redistribute.
Following those tips will reward you with tender, crazy delicious Greek turkey burgers!
Recipe Variations
This basic recipe is versatile. You can switch up the flavors based on what you have on hand!
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Mexican – Use cumin, chili powder, salsa, pepper jack, avocado
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Italian – Basil, oregano, marinara sauce, provolone, pesto
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Southwest – Cumin, smoked paprika, pepper jack, guacamole
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Mediterranean – Sundried tomatoes, artichokes, roasted red peppers
The possibilities are endless. Play around with flavors to make these Greek turkey burgers your own.
Serving Suggestions
I mentioned you can serve these burgers over a salad or as a sandwich. Here are more ideas for rounding out your Greek turkey burger meal:
Side Dishes:
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Roasted potatoes
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Rice pilaf or couscous
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Greek salad
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Roasted veggies like zucchini or eggplant
Condiments/Toppings:
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Tzatziki
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Hummus
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Feta cheese
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Sliced onions
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Sliced tomatoes
I also like serving them with a nice Greek white wine or Mythos beer. Opa!
Storage and Freezing
Leftover cooked turkey burger patties will keep refrigerated for 3 to 4 days stored in an airtight container. The ground turkey mixture can be made ahead and formed into patties, then refrigerated for up to 2 days before cooking.
You can also freeze the uncooked patties:
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Form patties and place parchment paper between each one.
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Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag.
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Cook frozen patties from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time.
With the convenience of freezer burgers, you’ll always have a quick
What to eat with Greek Turkey Burgers:
Leftover turkey burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep them in an airtight container.
You can reheat in the microwave (wrap in a slightly damp paper towel heat for about 1min 30 seconds), oven (wrap in aluminum foil @350 for 12-15 minutes), or air fryer (350 for about 4-6 minutes).
How to make Greek Turkey Burgers
- In a bowl add: raw turkey, 1/2 grated onion, 1/4 cup feta, 1/4 cup minced roasted bell peppers, 2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix together until the ingredients are incorporated well.
- Shape into 4 very thin patties. The thinner the patties are the less they will puff up while cooking in the pan.
- In a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat add oil and let it heat for a minute. Gently place each turkey burger and cook for 6-7 minutes and golden brown then flip and cook for 6-7 minutes more or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees with meat thermometer.
note: If all four burger do not fit in the pan at once then cook 2 at a time and divide the amount of oil in half and wipe the pan out in between uses.
When the burgers are finished you can enjoy them on your favorite bun with a heaping tablespoon of sauce and load it with lots of fresh toppings like a thin slice of tomato, cucumber, red onion, lettuce.
To keep the carbs in check: Sometimes I eat it open faced or piled on a lots of lettuce or in a lettuce wrap with a dollop of sauce and fresh veggies.
How to Make a Mouthwatering Greek Turkey Burger!
FAQ
What keeps turkey burgers from falling apart?
What is a good binder for turkey burgers?
What is a Greek burger made of?
How do you bind turkey meat for burgers?
How do you make a healthy Greek turkey burger?
These healthy Greek Turkey Burgers are spiked with Greek seasonings and feta cheese, and topped with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Grill and stovetop cooking options! In a large bowl, combine turkey, feta, sun dried tomato, spinach and seasonings into a mixing bowl. Mix until just combined. Form patties and place onto a cookie sheet.
How do you make Greek burgers?
To make Greek burgers, start by combining all of the burger ingredients in a bowl. Using your hands, mix until everything well combined. Form the mix into patties, using about 1/2 cup of meat for each. Next, heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet with 2 tbsp of avocado oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the burgers.
How do you make a turkey burger?
In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion and feta. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, egg, olive oil and dried oregano and kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper then pour over the turkey and mix with your hands to combine. Divide the burger mixture into 4 portions and mold into patties.
How do you make turkey burgers with feta cheese?
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details. Step 1- Mix the turkey meat, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, chopped baby spinach, and crumbled feta cheese in a large mixing bowl. Step 2- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties.