Grilled Turkey Burgers

This Grilled Turkey Burgers recipe is made for easy prep and easy grilling – just 20 minutes will get you a batch of burgers for your summer barbecue that are cheesy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. These patties are a moist, flavorful, and healthier alternative to your classic beef slider.

When it comes to protein, turkey is generally one of the healthier choices: it’s lower in cholesterol than beef, higher in protein than chicken, and contains much less fat than pork. So, a grilled turkey burger is a great way to enjoy barbecue season in a healthier way!

Because it can be rather dry, most people steer away from using ground poultry in recipes. However, my grilled turkey burgers are anything but dry! They’re moist, juicy, and flavorful.

Try these out with one of my favorite burger toppings: Pickled Peppers. That crisp texture and tangy bite just can’t be beat in my book. I also load up with tomatoes, greens, and some ketchup for a touch of sweetness. All the makings of a classic burger with added flavor and flair.
Another great, healthy burger alternative is Baked Salmon Patties. They’re so savory, lean, and tender. Oh, and they’re tasty, too!

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Ground Turkey – I used 1 lb of meat to make 4 burgers. Don’t go leaner than 90% lean, or you might find yourself with a dry, crumbly mess.
• Cheddar Cheese – Shredded, sharp cheddar cheese is going into the burger, not on top of it! The cheese can be omitted as a dairy-free alternative, and other kinds of cheese would be delicious as well: Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and provolone are all great choices.
• Eggs & Panko Bread Crumbs – These are our binding agents to keep the meat together while grilling. Additionally, the breadcrumbs soak up all of the juice before it drips away, leaving the meat tremendously moist and flavorful.
• Worcestershire Sauce – This tangy, savory sauce is perfect for bolstering the meat’s otherwise mild flavor without overwhelming it.
• All Purpose Seasoning – My homemade seasoning is perfect for these grilled turkey burgers – it’s a no-sugar, low- or no-salt blend that’s delicious in so many dishes. You could also use your favorite grilling seasoning salt.
• Brioche Buns – My go-to burger buns. Sometimes, I grill the bottoms of the buns for a bit of extra texture while cooking the meat. Try it out and let me know what you think!

HOW TO MAKE GRILLED TURKEY BURGERS

1. Prep the Grill. Clean the grill grates and preheat to 400°F.

2. Mix the Meat. While the grill is preheating, mix together the ground meat, cheese, egg, panko, Worcestershire, and all purpose seasoning (or seasoning salt). Combine everything with your hands, thoroughly incorporating the sauce, cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs. If the mixture seems a bit dry, add small amounts of water. Alternatively, if it is too wet, add some more breadcrumbs.

3. Form the Patties. Separate the meat into 4 patties. To ensure that the meat cooks evenly, I always make a thumbprint indentation in the center of each patty before it goes on the grill. This helps the patty hold its shape—rather than swelling—as it shrinks during cooking.

4. Grill. Grill each patty for 4-5 minutes on each side

5. Add Toppings and Serve. Let the grilled turkey burgers rest for at least 5 minutes before serving, then add your toppings. I like to top with lettuce, fresh tomato slices, and pickled peppers. Serve and enjoy!

How long does it take to grill turkey burgers?

Judging how long to grill turkey burgers will depend on the thickness of each individual patty. It will take around 8 minutes for a thinner patty, and 10 minutes for ones that are thicker. It’s a minimal difference, but you don’t want to overcook or undercook, so pay attention while grilling and check the internal temp of the meat.

What temperature should turkey burgers be grilled to?

The safe internal temperature of most ground poultry is 165°F. To test your turkey burger for doneness, stick a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the patty while grilling to make sure the meat is safe to eat.

How do you keep grilled turkey burgers from falling apart?

The key is to add the appropriate amount of binding agents to the meat without compromising the texture of the turkey burger. In this recipe, I use breadcrumbs and egg to bind the mixture and hold it together while it grills.

Another tip is to leave the meat be while it grills: don’t move or press it. Just flip it once and take it off the grill when it’s done.

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Grilled Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning (or favorite seasoning salt)
• 4 brioche buns

Instructions

• Preheat the grill to 400°F and clean grill.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, cheese, egg, Panko crumbs, Worcestershire sauce and All Purpose Seasoning. Using your hands, mix everything together until they are well combined. If a little dry add a little water until the right consistency or if too wet, add more Panko accordingly.
• Form the mix into 4 equal size patties to fit the size of your buns.
• Cook the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes on each side depending on thickness.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition