Turkey burgers have become an increasingly popular healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. With less fat and calories than beef turkey allows you to enjoy a juicy burger without all the guilt. However cooking turkey burgers can be a bit trickier than cooking beef. It’s crucial to fully cook poultry to 165°F internal temperature to eliminate any risk of foodborne illness. So what visual signs indicate your turkey burgers are done and safe to eat?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover all the ways to discern when your turkey burgers are fully cooked. From using a meat thermometer to checking internal color and juices read on to become an expert on identifying perfectly cooked turkey burgers every time.
Use a Meat Thermometer
The most foolproof way to check turkey burger doneness is by using an instant-read digital meat thermometer Thermometers provide an accurate reading of the internal temperature, taking the guesswork out of determining doneness
To check temperature, insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the turkey burger patty. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. If under 165°F, simply throw the patties back on the grill or pan for a few more minutes until fully cooked.
Having a reliable instant-read thermometer on hand is essential for cooking turkey burgers to perfection and peace of mind. It provides definitive proof your burgers are fully cooked and safe to enjoy.
Internal Color is Safely Pink
When cutting into a cooked turkey burger, you may notice some pink coloration in the center. This pink hue is normal and does not necessarily mean the burger is undercooked.
Turkey naturally contains a protein called myoglobin that remains pink even after thorough cooking. As long as the internal temperature has reached 165°F, a pinkish turkey burger is fully safe to eat. The pink color is not an indicator of rareness like with beef.
Use your thermometer to double check the internal temp if you notice pink. As long as it’s above 165°F, you can dig in without worries. The pinkish tone is simply the natural color of safely cooked turkey meat.
Juices Run Clear
A great visual clue your turkey burgers are cooked through is to check the juices. When you press a turkey burger patty, the juices should run completely clear without any traces of pink.
Pink or red juices are a sign the burger needs more time on the grill. If the juices look translucent and clear, however, you can be confident the burger is fully cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Press the patty gently and watch for the clear juices to flow. It’s a handy trick to gauge doneness when you don’t have a thermometer on hand.
External Browning and Firmness
The exterior appearance of your turkey burger can provide hints about doneness as well. When fully cooked, the outer surface should be nicely browned. A pale, pinkish raw-looking exterior means the burger needs more time over heat.
The texture of the cooked patty also indicates doneness. A fully cooked turkey burger will be firm to the touch, not squishy or mushy. Use tongs to gently press the burger – it should feel set and spring back slightly.
While not as reliable as temperature, checking exterior color and texture can provide useful visual cues along with the other methods.
Time Cooking Guidelines
You can also estimate turkey burger doneness based on recommended cooking times. For average sized patties around 4 ounces, the USDA recommends:
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Cook for at least 5 minutes per side on a preheated grill or pan.
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For frozen patties, cook for 7-8 minutes per side.
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Cook ground turkey loaves or meatballs for at least 15-20 minutes at 350°F.
However, many factors like patty thickness and heat level can alter required cook times. Rely on the visual and temperature tests for accuracy rather than just estimating by time. But these USDA baseline times provide a starting reference point.
Why Proper Cooking is Crucial
You may be wondering why safely cooking turkey burgers to 165°F internal temperature is so critical. The reason is that poultry products like turkey are very prone to harboring dangerous bacteria if undercooked.
Salmonella and E. coli are common foodborne pathogens found in raw turkey and other poultry. Consuming undercooked turkey burgers puts you at risk of severe food poisoning from these harmful bacteria. Cooking to 165°F is sufficient heat to fully destroy any pathogens present in the meat.
So while a medium rare beef burger may be fine, turkey burgers must reach a hotter internal temperature every time for safety. Don’t take shortcuts – use a thermometer and the visual tests regularly as you learn to judge turkey doneness. You’ll be rewarded with flavorful, perfectly cooked turkey burgers that never pose a risk.
Handy Tips for Cooking Turkey Burgers
Mastering the art of cooking turkey burgers to juicy, flavorful perfection takes some trial and error. Here are some useful tips:
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Pound patties to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
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Brush with oil to prevent sticking on the grill or pan.
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Flip only once during cooking for better browning.
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Add a teaspoon of oil to the meat mixture for juicier burgers.
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Season well with spices, herbs, and condiments for lots of flavor.
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Allow patties to rest for 5 minutes after cooking – the temperature will rise further.
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Avoid pressing down on patties as they cook to prevent drying out.
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Mix in a small amount of breadcrumbs to help retain moisture.
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Cook burgers on a lower heat to prevent burning the outside before the inside cooks.
Turkey Burger Safety Tips
When working with raw turkey, follow these guidelines to avoid any risk of cross-contamination:
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Wash hands and cooking tools thoroughly after handling raw patties.
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Store raw turkey burgers sealed and on the bottom shelf of the fridge to prevent dripping juices.
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Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw turkey versus ready-to-eat foods.
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Refrigerate cooked turkey burgers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Discard if mold appears.
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Heat leftover cooked turkey burgers to 165°F before serving. Do not reheat more than once.
Following proper food safety principles is key anytime you prepare poultry dishes like turkey burgers.
Is it Done Yet?
Cooking turkey burgers perfectly can feel like a guessing game without the right knowledge. Now that you’re armed with tips for determining doneness based on temperature, color, texture, and juices, you’ll serve up safely cooked turkey burgers every time.
Next grill session, impress your family and friends with incredibly juicy, flavor-packed turkey burgers that also happen to be heart-healthy. Just be sure to keep your trusty meat thermometer, helpful visual tests, and safety habits in mind. Happy grilling!
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Turkey Burger Filling options
The classic options you can never go wrong with are sliced tomatoes, red onions, cheddar cheese, pickles, and a layer of mayonnaise and ketchup on top. But you can also switch it up and add bacon, avocado slices, and caramelized onions.
- Serve up a classic turkey burger. Grab your favorite store-bought buns (you could even toast them if you’d like) and layer on your favorite burger ingredients.
- Make a lettuce wrap turkey burger: For those of us who are gluten-free or just looking for a healthier option, lettuce wrap turkey burgers are honestly just as delicious. Plus, it’s a naturally low-carb meal! To make the lettuce “buns” — core a head of lettuce and slice it into quarters. Use a few pieces of lettuce as both the base and top, essentially wrapping around the burger.
- Make a turkey burger bowl: Enjoy the patties as a protein source for a veggie-heavy salad or bowl! Layer leafy greens with avocado slices, pickled red onions, and cherry tomatoes (or other vegetables you like). You could even add tzatziki or chipotle sauce on top!
- Don’t have access to Worcestershire sauce? You can add a splash of tamari soy sauce (about half the amount).
- Add more yumminess to the patty with finely diced onions or shallots. You can also switch up the seasonings and herbs with onion powder, dried thyme, rosemary, or any other seasonings you like really!
I’ve made this recipe heaps of times and have never had the patties fall apart when using 93% lean ground turkey. But, if you find that your patties are crumbling, you can try adding an egg and some almond flour to the mixture next time.
Absolutely! This is a great summertime burger recipe to toss on the grill. Just be a bit careful when placing them on the grill and flipping them as they tend to be softer than other burger patties.
You sure can! I have a separate recipe for chicken burgers (with a Mediterranean flavor profile), but you can certainly swap the meat in this recipe as well.
- To store in the fridge: These patties will last for 3 to 4 days in the fridge stored in an airtight container.
- Freeze the patties for later: I love to make a double batch of this recipe and save leftovers for the future! To do so, freeze the cooked patties on a baking sheet first. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper in between. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Make-Ahead Tips: If you want to pre-make the raw turkey burgers, you can do so a day in advance and store them in the fridge. Just add parchment paper in between each patty and layer them on top of one another before placing them in an airtight container.
How To Make Turkey burger patties
Make the patties. Mix the ground turkey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper with your hands. Then, divide the mixture evenly to form 4 large patties. To avoid uncooked patties, flatten them out a bit so they’re not super tall and dense. Plus, they do shrink quite a bit when cooking!
Cook the patties. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Cook the patties for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Unlike beef patties, turkey burgers need to be completely cooked through. If you’d like, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check and see if they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Juicy Turkey Burger Recipe
FAQ
How do you know if a turkey burger is cooked?
What color should a cooked turkey burger be?
Are turkey burgers ok a little pink?
Do turkey burgers take longer to cook?