What to Use Instead of Breadcrumbs in Turkey Burgers

Breadcrumbs are a common binder used in turkey burgers and meatballs They help hold the ground meat together and give a nice texture But what if you don’t have breadcrumbs or want to avoid them? Not to worry – there are plenty of substitutes!

In this article, we’ll look at the best breadcrumb replacements for turkey burgers so you can make delicious patties without regular breadcrumbs.

Why Use Substitutes for Breadcrumbs?

There are a few reasons you may want to skip the breadcrumbs in your turkey burger recipe:

• You don’t have any breadcrumbs on hand
• You are looking for a gluten-free option
• You want to reduce carbs and calories
• You need a fine crumb texture vs large panko crumbs
• You want to avoid the bread flavor

Luckily, there are lots of easy ingredient swaps that can stand in for breadcrumbs when making turkey burgers. Let’s look at some of the best options.

Top Breadcrumb Substitutes for Turkey Burgers

Rolled Oats

Rolled oats, sometimes called old fashioned oats, make an excellent substitute for breadcrumbs in turkey burgers Use them in a 1 1 ratio – for every 1 cup of breadcrumbs, use 1 cup of oats

Oats have a very similar texture to breadcrumbs so they integrate seamlessly into the ground turkey. They also add nutrition from whole grains and fiber. Just avoid instant oats or steel cut oats which won’t break down properly.

Crushed Crackers

Crushed crackers like Ritz or saltines replicate the flavor and crispy texture of breadcrumbs. Just place the crackers in a zip top bag and crush into fine crumbs with a rolling pin. Use an equal amount of crushed crackers in place of breadcrumbs.

You can use any type of cracker – plain saltines, butter crackers, whole wheat crackers, etc. Check the ingredients to avoid crackers with unhealthy oils or lots of preservatives.

Panko Breadcrumbs

Swap in an equal amount of panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs. The larger panko crumbs will create a pleasant crunch in your turkey burger.

Panko are Japanese style breadcrumbs made from crustless white bread. They create a lighter, crisper coating than standard soft breadcrumbs.

Crushed Cereal or Cornflakes

Unsweetened cereals can be turned into quick breadcrumb replacements. Cornflakes, bran flakes, granola and Grape Nuts all work well.

Simply crush them by hand or pulse in a food processor into a fine crumb. Use a 1:1 ratio in your turkey burgers. The cereal adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.

Crushed Pork Rinds

This low carb, gluten free option mimics the texture of breadcrumbs beautifully. Simply pulse pork rinds in the food processor until they reach a fine crumb.

Measure out an equal amount to the breadcrumbs called for. The pork rinds will help bind the meat and add delicious crunch without any bread flavor.

Mashed Potatoes

Cooked mashed potatoes are an excellent way to bind turkey patties or meatloaf in place of breadcrumbs. Use 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes per 1 cup of breadcrumbs.

The potatoes add moisture and texture. Just be sure to use plain mashed potatoes, not ones with butter, cream or cheese added.

Quick Oats

While rolled oats are ideal, you can also use quick oats in a pinch. They may create a slightly heavier texture but still work well. Use an equal amount and pulse them in the food processor if very coarse.

Avoid instant flavored oatmeal packets which contain sugar and other additives. Only use plain instant oats.

Nuts or Seeds

Finely chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts or pecans can provide texture and flavor in turkey burgers instead of breadcrumbs. Likewise with seeds – try finely chopped sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

Use about 1/4 cup nuts or seeds for each cup of breadcrumbs. Pulse them in the food processor until they reach the texture of coarse sand. The healthy fats in nuts and seeds keep the burgers moist.

Crushed Pretzels

Pretzels make a great gluten-free breadcrumb substitute. Simply pulse pretzels in the food processor into fine crumbs. Standard salted pretzels work best rather than specialty flavored pretzels.

You can use an equal amount of pretzel crumbs in your turkey burger recipe. They add a satisfying crunch and salty flavor.

How to Use Breadcrumb Substitutes

When swapping in any of these alternatives in your turkey burger recipe, use a 1:1 ratio for best results. For each cup of breadcrumbs called for, use 1 cup of your sub of choice.

Here are some serving tips:

• Process crackers, cereal and other hard items into a fine crumb for even cooking.

• For nuts and oats, pulse until crumbly but small pieces remain for texture.

• Toast rolled oats or raw nuts/seeds first for enhanced flavor.

• If needed, add an egg or a tablespoon of water if mixture seems dry without breadcrumbs.

• Form patties gently so they hold together, and avoid over-mixing.

• Bake or pan fry patties at medium heat until cooked through (165°F).

With these easy tips, you can skip the breadcrumbs in your turkey burgers but still end up with amazing texture and flavor. Get creative mixing up the substitutions!

Breadcrumb-Free Turkey Burger Recipes

Here are two delicious turkey burger recipes using non-breadcrumb binders:

Oat Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
2. Form into 4 patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Grill or pan fry over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
4. Serve on buns with favorite toppings.

Greek Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup finely chopped kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup crushed pita chips
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients together gently. Do not overmix.
2. Form 4 patties about 1 inch thick.
3. Grill or pan fry for 5-6 minutes per side until 165°F internal temperature.
4. Serve in pita bread or on burger buns.

With all of these delicious breadcrumb replacements, the possibilities for amazing turkey burgers are endless. Try out these substitutions in your favorite turkey burger recipes or get creative and mix up your own combination. Your burgers will still be perfectly textured and flavored, minus the breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use if I don’t have breadcrumbs or crackers?

Rolled oats, mashed potatoes, pork rinds, crushed nuts and quick oats all work well without bread or crackers on hand.

Can I use flour instead of breadcrumbs in turkey burgers?

Flour is not recommended as it can make the patties dense and dry. Stick to coarser crumbs instead for the best texture.

Is it ok to just leave out the breadcrumbs altogether?

You can, but this may make the turkey patties more delicate and prone to falling apart. Using a binder replacement is recommended.

What can I use if I avoid gluten and carbs?

Try crushed pork rinds, nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds as delicious low carb/gluten free breadcrumb substitutes.

Do I need to make any other changes if I don’t use breadcrumbs?

You may need to add an extra egg or a bit of water if the mixture seems dry. Handle the patties gently when shaping without breadcrumbs.

Time to Ditch the Breadcrumbs in Your Turkey Burgers

As you can see, there are tons of readily available items in your pantry that can substitute for breadcrumbs in turkey burgers and meatballs. With options like rolled oats, crushed cereal, mashed vegetables and more, you can easily make delicious breadcrumb-free patties.

Get creative with the substitutions and flavors – the options are endless! Your crowd will be begging for your secret turkey burger recipe. Ditch the breadcrumbs and enjoy your new favorite turkey burgers.