Turkey burgers have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional beef burgers. Not only are they leaner and healthier, but they are also versatile and easy to prep However, many home cooks wonder, how long does it take to cook turkey burgers to perfection? In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to cooking times for pan-frying, grilling, baking, and broiling turkey burgers
Factors That Affect Cook Times
Several factors impact total cook times for turkey burgers
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Patty thickness – Thinner patties will cook faster than thick patties. For pan frying, patties should be no more than 3/4 inch thick. For grilling or broiling, 1/2 inch thick is ideal.
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Cooking method – The direct heat of grilling or broiling cooks burgers faster than indirect heat from baking. Pan-frying on the stovetop is quick too.
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Temperature – Higher heat from grilling or broiling significantly reduces cook time compared to lower oven temperatures for baking.
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Doneness – Cook times increase the more well-done you prefer your turkey burgers. USDA recommends cooking ground turkey to 165°F for food safety.
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Additions – Mix-ins like cheese or veggies will lengthen cooking. Thicker, dense add-ins like beans or grains will take longer than soft veggies.
Pan-Fried Turkey Burgers
Pan-frying turkey burgers on the stovetop is one of the quickest cooking methods. For 3/4 inch thick patties, follow these guidelines:
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Heat skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil if needed.
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Place patties in pan. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Total cook time: 8-10 minutes
Pan-frying produces a crispy browned exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Use a digital instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
Grilled Turkey Burgers
During summer, firing up the grill is a no-brainer for cooking turkey burgers. Follow these tips for grilling:
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Prepare a hot grill, around 400-450°F. Grill should be hot before adding patties.
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Grill patties 4-5 minutes per side for 1/2 inch thick burgers.
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Check temperature, grilling longer if needed to reach 165°F internally.
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Total cook time: 8-12 minutes
The intense direct heat of grilling sears the exterior while cooking the inside at the same time. Allow thicker burgers up to 12 minutes total.
Baked Turkey Burgers
For indoor oven cooking, baking turkey burgers requires a slightly longer cook time. Here are guidelines for baking:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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Arrange patties on baking sheet without overcrowding.
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Bake 20-25 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
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Total cook time: 20-25 minutes
Since the oven’s heat surrounds the burgers gradually, bake times are longer. Convection ovens will cook faster than conventional.
Broiled Turkey Burgers
Like grilling, broiling uses intense overhead heat to quickly cook turkey burgers. Follow these tips for broiling:
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Preheat broiler on high heat. Place oven rack 6 inches from heating element.
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Arrange burgers on a broiler pan or baking sheet. Broil 5-6 minutes per side.
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Check temperature, broiling longer if needed until 165°F internal temp.
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Total cook time: 10-15 minutes.
Monitor burgers closely when broiling since the concentrated heat can overcook quickly. Thicker patties may take up to 15 minutes.
Cook Time Chart
For easy reference, here are approximate cook times for 1/2 inch thick turkey burger patties:
| Cooking Method | Cook Time Per Side | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pan-fried | 4-5 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
| Grilled | 4-6 minutes | 8-12 minutes |
| Baked | N/A | 20-25 minutes |
| Broiled | 5-6 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
Tips for Maximizing Flavor & Moistness
To ensure your turkey burgers come out moist and packed with flavor, keep these tips in mind:
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Choose ground turkey with some fat, like 85/15 or 93/7 blends. All lean turkey dries out.
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Add binders like egg, breadcrumbs, or Greek yogurt to help retain moisture.
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Season patties aggressively with spices, herbs, sauces, etc. Turkey needs lots of flavor.
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Don’t press down on patties while cooking. Doing so dries them out.
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Allow patties to rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier texture.
The Takeaway
Cooking turkey burgers takes 10-25 minutes depending on the method used. Pan-frying, grilling, and broiling provide the speediest options with bake times being longer. Use an instant-read thermometer to guarantee the safe temperature of 165°F is reached. With flavorful seasonings and a moist ground turkey blend, you can enjoy crave-worthy turkey burgers in no time!
What You’ll Need To Make Skillet Turkey Burgers
Place ground turkey in a medium-size bowl. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ricotta cheese, bread crumbs, and mustard.
Using your hands, mix until well blended.
Divide meat mixture into 4 equal portions. Lightly toss one portion from hand to hand to form a ball, then lightly flatten ball with fingertips into a 3/4-inch-thick patty with a slight depression in the center (this prevents the burgers from puffing up when cooked). Repeat with remaining portions.
Heat a large, heavy, ovenproof skillet over medium heat until very hot, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the oil to the pan and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the burgers and cook over medium heat without moving the burgers until the bottom side of each is dark golden brown and crusted, 3 to 4 minutes.
Turn the burgers over; continue to cook until the bottom side is light brown but not yet crusted, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer the pan to the oven and continue cooking for 7 to 8 minutes, or until burgers are completely cooked (an instant-read thermometer inserted from the side of the burger into the center should register 160°F). Remove the turkey burgers from the pan and serve immediately.
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FAQ
How long is cooked turkey burger?
How do you know when ground turkey burgers are done?
How long does it take to grill turkey burgers?
How long do turkey burgers take at 400?
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.
How do you cook a turkey burger on a grill?
Cook the patties in the skillet, turning once, about 15 minutes. Grill: Lightly oil and preheat the grill. Place turkey burgers on the grill, turning once, about 10 minutes. Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the patties on the baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
How do you cook a turkey burger in a frying pan?
Instructions: 1. Prepare the turkey burgers. Form the ground turkey into patties about 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. Season the burgers with salt and pepper. 2. Heat the pan. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a little cooking oil to the pan. 3. Cook the burgers.
How do you cook a turkey burger patty?
*Nutritional label is for one turkey burger patty. Stovetop Instructions: Spray a large pan generously with cooking spray and heat over medium-high. Once hot, cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side. Protein Style: Wrap your juicy turkey burger in a Boston bib lettuce cup with all of your favorite toppings.