Turkey burgers can be a delicious, healthier alternative to beef burgers. But getting the temperature right when cooking turkey burgers is critical. Undercooking poses safety risks while overcooking yields dry, rubbery burgers. So what’s the ideal internal temp for juicy, safe turkey burgers?
Why Temperature Matters with Turkey Burgers
Cooking turkey burgers thoroughly is important for two reasons
Food Safety – Ground poultry can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella Proper cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F kills any dangerous pathogens.
Moisture Retention – Turkey meat is very lean. Without plenty of fat to keep it juicy overcooking turkey easily dries it out.
So you want to hit the food safe 165°F temp without going much over. Tracking temperature is the best way to nail the turkey burger sweet spot.
What Happens at Different Temperatures
140-150°F – At this stage turkey burgers are undercooked. They’ll appear pink and juicy but aren’t safe to eat yet.
160°F – Turkey burgers are almost done but still considered undercooked from a food safety standpoint. Juices will run clear rather than pink.
165°F – The USDA’s recommended minimum safe temperature for ground turkey. Harmful bacteria are killed but moisture is preserved.
170°F+ – Turkey burgers are overcooked, turning dry and tough. All moisture has been cooked out of the meat.
How to Cook Turkey Burgers to 165°F
Grilling
- Use direct high heat around 375-450°F.
- Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check temp.
Pan-Frying
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook 4-5 minutes per side.
- Insert thermometer from the side to check.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until 165°F internally.
Tips for Juicy Burgers
- Don’t press down while cooking – causes moisture loss.
- Brine turkey meat before grinding.
- Mix in egg and breadcrumbs to help retain juices.
- Rest cooked burgers 5 minutes before serving.
How to Tell When Turkey Burgers Are Done
Appearance
- No more pink color in meat. Cooked thoroughly.
Internal Temperature
- Probe thermometer inserted in thickest part of burger reaches 165°F
Juices
- Clear juices will run from burgers when poked or cut, not pink.
Don’t rely solely on visual signs though. Use a thermometer to be 100% sure turkey burgers hit the 165°F mark for both safety and optimum juiciness.
Why You Shouldn’t Eat Undercooked Turkey Burgers
Eating turkey burgers before they’ve reached 165°F internally poses safety issues:
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Salmonella – Raw turkey often contains this bacteria leading to food poisoning. Proper cooking kills salmonella.
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E. Coli – Ground turkey may contain this gastrointestinal pathogen from processing. Heating to 165°F neutralizes it.
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Campylobacter – Another common bacteria in poultry that causes diarrhea when ingested undercooked.
So never eat raw or pink turkey burgers! Letting them reach 165°F internally eliminates the above foodborne illness risks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Preheating Grill/Pan – Leads to overly long cook times and dried out burgers.
Pressing Burgers – Squeezes out all the moisture you’re trying to retain.
Peeking Constantly – Causes temperature fluctuations and improper cooking.
No Rest Time – Skipping this final step means you’ll miss out on juiciness.
Overcrowding Cook Surface – Creates uneven heating and cooking.
Tips for Keeping Turkey Burgers Moist
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Use dark turkey meat. It has more fat and moisture.
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Mix in breadcrumbs or egg to help retain juices.
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Brine ground turkey before making patties. Adds extra moisture.
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Lightly coat burgers in oil before cooking. Reduces sticking.
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Grill or pan-fry using high heat to sear and lock in juices.
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Rest burgers 5+ minutes before serving to reabsorb moisture.
Is It Safe to Eat Pink Turkey Burgers?
No, any pink color in turkey burgers means they are undercooked and potentially unsafe. Always cook thoroughly to 165°F until no more pink remains, juices run clear, and meat is brown throughout. If you cut into a turkey burger and see pink, keep cooking it longer.
Unlike beef burgers, you should never intentionally eat turkey burgers that are rare or pink inside. Poultry must be cooked to 165°F minimum for food safety.
Things That Affect Turkey Burger Cook Times
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Thickness – Thicker burgers take longer to cook through.
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Grill Temperature – High heat = faster cooking.
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Frozen vs. Thawed – Frozen patties require a few extra minutes.
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Burger Composition – More binders/breadcrumbs speeds cooking.
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Patty Weight – Heavier 1/3 lb patties need more time than smaller ones.
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Cook Method – Grilling generally cooks faster than baking.
Use a thermometer and cook until 165°F rather than relying on cook times alone. Temperature is the foolproof way to know turkey burgers are fully cooked.
For the best results when cooking turkey burgers:
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Form meat into evenly shaped thin patties for quicker, more even cooking.
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Use an instant read digital thermometer to monitor the internal temp.
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Cook on high heat either on a preheated grill or skillet.
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Pull from heat immediately once the 165°F minimum temp is reached.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving to maximize juiciness.
Getting turkey burgers to the food safe 165°F mark without overcooking is the key to juice, flavor, and proper texture. So keep a close eye on the temperature for your best turkey burgers yet.
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Healthy, flavorful meals are well within reach for anyone. Cook Smart, Eat Well is full of recipes that are easy to put together quickly with basic cooking techniques.
Use a thermometer to ensure you don’t overcook and dry out the turkey burgers. They’ll continue cooking for a few minutes after being taken off the heat, so cook them to an internal temperature of 160°F. Allow them to rest a few minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Onion, 1 cup(s), chopped, measured after chopping in food processor
- Ground turkey, extremely lean, ½ lb(s), look for “ground turkey breast” or “fat-free ground turkey”
- Garlic powder, ½ tsp(s)
- Onion powder, ½ tsp(s)
- Cumin, ground, ½ tsp(s)
- Cilantro, fresh, 2 tbsp(s), chopped
- Salt, ½ tsp(s)
- Black pepper, ¼ tsp(s), ground
- Eggs, 1 large
- Olive oil spray, 1 x two-second spray(s)
- Panko bread crumbs, ¼ cup(s), (to be used if mixture is too wet)
Method
Chop the onion in a food processor. In a medium bowl, mix the turkey breast, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cilantro, salt, pepper and egg.
Heat a grill or medium nonstick sauté pan to medium heat. Lightly coat the grill or pan with cooking spray. Form the burger mixture into two 4-ounce patties. If the mixture is too wet, add the panko.
Place the patties on the grill or in the pan and cook approximately 5 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove the patties from the heat and let rest until reaching a temperature of 165°F.
Serve the turkey burger patties on whole wheat buns with your choice of condiments.
Nutrition facts per serving Makes 2 servings
Food Groups
| V Vegetables | 1.3 |
| F Fruits | 0 |
| C Carbohydrates | 0.8 |
| PD Protein/Dairy | 1.5 |
| Ft Fats | 0.2 |
| S Sweets | 0 |
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 264 |
| Total Fat | 6.4 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 1.7 g |
| Cholesterol | 155.4 mg |
| Sodium | 779 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.8 g |
| – Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g |
| – Total Sugars | 4.4 g |
| — Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 32.9 g |
Best Ever Juicy Turkey Burgers
FAQ
What temperature should turkey burgers be?
How long do turkey burgers take at 400?
Can turkey burgers be medium rare?
What temperature do you cook ground turkey?
What temperature should a turkey burger be cooked at?
Whichever method you use, be sure to fully cook your turkey burgers. A turkey burger is fully cooked when the center of the patty reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. You can insert an instant-read thermometer sideways through the side of a burger to check the temperature of the center.
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
How do you cook a turkey burger in a thermometer?
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the burger and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). * Cook turkey burgers over medium heat. Turkey burgers can be easy to overcook, so it’s important to cook them over medium heat. This will help to prevent them from drying out.
Can you cook turkey burgers in the oven?
Baking turkey burgers in the oven is a hands-off way to cook them. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup. Flip the burgers to the second side after the first 10 minutes of cook time. I love to meal prep a big batch of turkey burger patties and freeze them (before cooking) for quick meals on busy days.