Who knew Grilled Turkey Burgers could be so juicy and flavorful?! I’m sharing my tips and tricks for the best turkey burgers you’ll try all summer!
Of course we have a serious love of classic beef hamburgers around here, but sometimes we opt for these satisfyingly moist turkey burgers for a change of pace and to keep things on the lighter side. Turkey burgers sometimes get a bad rap, but they can be super mouthwatering when done right!
We are amping up the flavor of these juicy turkey burgers with some delicious seasoning, grilling them to perfection so they aren’t dry, and mixing in a secret ingredients to hold the patties together on the grill to make sure they stay nice and moist.
Grilled turkey burgers are a tasty, lighter alternative to traditional beef burgers. But cooking turkey burgers on a grill can be tricky – they tend to dry out and stick if you don’t know what you’re doing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grill moist, delicious turkey burgers every time.
Choosing the Right Ground Turkey
Success starts with choosing ground turkey with the right fat content Ground turkey can range from 90% lean/10% fat to 99% lean For juicy grilled turkey burgers, you want to find ground turkey that’s 93-95% lean. Ground turkey that’s 99% lean will dry out on the grill.
Look for ground turkey thigh meat rather than breast. Turkey thighs have more fat, connective tissue, and flavor. Or, ask the butcher to grind turkey with a blend of white and dark meat.
Mixing Up the Perfect Turkey Burger Blend
In addition to ground turkey your burger blend should include a few key ingredients
- Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and binding to prevent dry turkey burgers. Use 2-3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
- Worcestershire sauce: Boosts flavor. Add 1-2 teaspoons per pound of meat.
- Onion and garlic: Fresh onion and garlic add lots of flavor. Use 1/4 cup finely diced onion and 1-2 cloves minced garlic per pound of meat.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, fresh herbs, spices, etc. Get creative!
Gently mix all ingredients together by hand until just combined. Avoid over-mixing.
Shaping the Patties
Form the turkey burger mixture into patties that are 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Slightly larger around than the bun works best.
Use your hands to gently shape, just until the meat holds together. Don’t overwork it.
Make an indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb. This prevents the burgers from puffing up as they cook.
Transfer shaped patties to a parchment lined baking sheet. Chill for at least 20 minutes before grilling. Chilling firms them up which prevents sticking and falling apart on the grill.
Setting Up the Grill
- Heat: Preheat your grill to medium-high, 375-400°F.
- Grates: Make sure grates are clean. Brush with oil to prevent sticking.
- Direct vs. indirect heat: Cook over direct heat for maximum browning. If flare ups occur, move to indirect heat.
Grilling Time for Turkey Burgers
- Thickness: The thicker the patty, the longer it will take. Use these guidelines:
- 1/2 inch thick: 5-7 minutes per side
- 3/4 inch thick: 6-8 minutes per side
- 1 inch thick: 8-10 minutes per side
- Appearance: Turkey burgers are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, look for an evenly browned outside and slightly firm texture.
- Flipping: Only flip the patties once during cooking. Constant flipping will dry them out.
- Add cheese: If using cheese, add it 1-2 minutes before the burger finishes cooking so it melts nicely.
Common Turkey Burger Grill Mistakes
Avoid these errors to cook turkey burgers correctly:
- Grilling over high heat. Stick with medium-high heat for even cooking.
- Not oiling the grill grates. Always brush the hot grates with oil before grilling.
- Pressing down on patties while they cook. Doing this pushes out juices and causes dry burgers.
- Flipping burgers more than once. Just flip halfway through estimated cook time.
- Adding cheese too early. Wait until the end so the cheese melts but doesn’t burn.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled turkey burgers pair nicely with traditional burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, avocado, bacon and condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayo.
For a lower carb option, serve turkey burgers wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of a bun.
You can also top grilled turkey patties with chili, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for a turkey burger casserole twist.
Get creative with globally inspired toppings too! Here are some fun ideas:
- Greek turkey burger: Tzatziki, feta, spinach, red onion, tomato
- Mexican turkey burger: Guacamole, pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese
- Thai turkey burger: Peanut sauce, carrots, cucumber, cilantro
So enjoy your summer with juicy, flavorful grilled turkey burgers! Follow these simple tips and you’ll be a turkey burger pro in no time.
How long to cook turkey burgers
If you are wondering how long to grill turkey burgers, it’s usually just slightly longer than when you are grilling regular beef burgers. Turkey burgers take about 5-6 minutes per side on the grill for a total of 10-12 minutes.
If you can’t grill the burgers for some reason (I swear we run out of gas in our gas grill once a summer and are never prepared for it), you can always fry them in a cast iron skillet with a little oil over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side.
Serve these moist turkey burgers with your favorite buns and all the toppings so guests can assemble their own perfect burger and you’ve got a party!
And if you love ground turkey, be sure to check out these Asian Lettuce Wraps that can be made with ground turkey or ground chicken, or these Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers.
How to make turkey burgers
Homemade turkey burgers are super easy to make. But keep in mind that the longer the meat is out of the fridge, the warmer it will get. Ground turkey gets hard to work with when it is not cold, so have things prepared before pulling the meat out to make the patties.
- Season and mix the meat. Add the ground turkey to a bowl with the mayo, bbq sauce, bread crumbs, and seasoning, then mix using your hands just until combined. You don’t want to overwork the meat.
- Shape the patties. Use your hands or a burger press to shape the mixture into patties approximately 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick and slightly larger than the buns you plan to use since they will shrink some as they cook. Patties that are too thin cook way too fast and the turkey burgers dry out in a second. The thicker patties give you a little grace period so the burgers stay moist. I like to shape mine on foil so I can easily peel them off to transfer to the grill and then throw the foil away for easier cleanup.
- Stick the patties in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. They don’t need to be frozen, but sticking the burger patties will help them hold up and transfer to the grill better. This is a great time to pull together your sides or get toppings ready for the burgers.
- Grill the burgers. Heat the grill to medium-high heat and clean the grill grates. Spray the patties with a little cooking spray on both sides to help them not stick to the grill grates, then lay them directly over the flames or heat source. Flip only once, halfway through cooking, until the turkey burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when tested with an instant read digital meat thermometer.
How To Grill TURKEY BURGERS on a Weber Q | BONUS SECRET TECHNIQUE To Keep Them MOIST!
FAQ
How long does it take to grill turkey burgers?
How do you know when turkey burgers are done?
Do turkey burgers take longer to cook?
How long do you grill burgers on each side?
How long do you Grill a turkey burger?
Based on the factors discussed above, the following are recommended grilling times for turkey burgers of different thicknesses: For burgers that are 1/2-inch thick, grill for 6-8 minutes per side. For burgers that are 3/4-inch thick, grill for 8-10 minutes per side. For burgers that are 1-inch thick, grill for 10-12 minutes per side.
How do you cook a turkey burger on a Weber Q?
Place the turkey burgers on the grill and cook for five minutes, covered, until nice grill marks form. Flip and continue to cook, covered, for 3-5 minutes more. Heat the buns on the grill, assemble the burgers, and serve. How To Grill TURKEY BURGERS on a Weber Q | BONUS SECRET TECHNIQUE To Keep Them MOIST!
How long does a turkey burger take to cook?
The Best Ever Turkey Burger takes just 15 minutes and a few secrets to get the most perfect, juicy turkey burger either on the stovetop or on the grill. Whether you are trying to avoid red meat, or you simply want a lighter option at your backyard barbecue, turkey burgers are a great option.
How long do you cook a burger on a grill?
Place the burgers on the hot grill and cook for 3-5 minutes to sear on the bottom. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side, until you reach your desired degree of doneness. Plan on 5-6 minutes total for rare, 6-7 minutes total for medium-rare, 8-9 minutes total for medium, and 9+ minutes for well-done.