Juicy Grilled Turkey Burgers Recipe: Simple Summer BBQ Magic

Grilled turkey burgers represent a healthier alternative to traditional beef patties, offering a lean and protein-packed meal for fitness enthusiasts and flavor seekers alike.

These delectable discs of poultry promise a lighter culinary experience without compromising on taste or satisfaction.

Juicy and tender, turkey burgers can redefine an ordinary dinner into an exciting gastronomic adventure.

Seasoned with carefully selected herbs and spices, these burgers elevate home cooking to restaurant-quality standards.

The key to perfect turkey burgers lies in maintaining moisture while achieving a beautiful golden-brown exterior that seals in all the delicious flavors.

Home cooks can easily master this technique with a few strategic preparation tips and cooking methods.

Grilling provides an exceptional way to infuse smoky undertones and create a crisp surface that tantalizes the palate.

Grilled Turkey Burgers You’ll Want to Make Again

• Moisture-Packed Delight: The grated onion and mayonnaise keep these turkey burgers incredibly juicy, preventing the typical dry turkey burger problem.
• Flavor-Boosting Technique: Worcestershire sauce and garlic create a deep, rich taste that transforms ordinary ground turkey into a mouthwatering meal.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From prep to plate, these burgers take just about 40 minutes, making them perfect for busy families wanting a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Grill Master's Dream: The freezer chilling method helps patties hold their shape, ensuring perfect grill marks and preventing crumbly burgers that fall apart on the grates.

Must-Have Ingredients for Grilled Turkey Burgers

• Ground Turkey: Lean meat with mild flavor, choose fresh and high-quality ground turkey for best texture and taste.
• Cheese: Optional topping for extra richness, sharp cheddar or mild provolone work well.

• Onion, Garlic: Fresh aromatics that add depth and subtle sweetness to the burger, grate finely for even distribution.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the turkey's natural flavor, use freshly ground black pepper for best taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and complexity to the meat mixture, provides a tangy background note.

• Mayonnaise: Helps keep turkey burgers moist and tender, prevents dryness during grilling.
• Parchment Paper: Used for easy patty handling and chilling, prevents sticking and helps shape burgers.

• Burger Buns: Soft and sturdy base for assembling the burger, choose fresh bakery buns for best quality.
• Cooking Oil: Used for greasing grill grates, prevents sticking and helps create nice grill marks.

Grilling Instructions for Juicy Turkey Burgers

Step 1: Prepare Onion and Baking Surface

Grab your box grater and carefully grate the onion. Use paper towels to squeeze out excess moisture, preventing soggy burgers.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Burger Mixture

• Ground turkey
• Grated onion
• Minced garlic
• Mayonnaise
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Pepper

Gently mix ingredients with your hands, avoiding overworking the meat.

Step 3: Shape Perfect Burger Patties

Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Form each into a patty about 1-inch thick. Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Chill Patties

Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes. Chilling helps patties hold their shape during grilling.

Step 5: Prepare Grill

Heat grill to medium-high temperature. Clean and oil grates using a paper towel held with tongs to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Grill to Perfection

Place patties on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side. For cheese lovers, add cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Step 7: Check Internal Temperature

Use a meat thermometer to ensure patties reach 165°F for food safety.

Step 8: Assemble and Serve

Place grilled turkey burgers on buns. Add your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, or pickles. Enjoy your delicious homemade burger!

Pro Tips to Elevate Grilled Turkey Burgers

• Moisture Management: Squeeze excess liquid from grated onion to prevent soggy burgers and ensure a firmer patty texture.
• Gentle Mixing: Use a light touch when combining ingredients to keep turkey burgers tender and prevent tough, dense meat.
• Chill for Success: Freezing patties for 20 minutes helps them hold shape and prevents crumbling during grilling.
• Temperature Check: Always use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
• Flavor Boosting: Experiment with herbs like fresh parsley or chives mixed into the meat for added depth and freshness.

Save and Reheat Your Burgers Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigeration: Store leftover turkey burgers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Warm burgers in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Freezing: Wrap individual burgers in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What Goes Well with Turkey Burgers

• Boost Flavor with Zesty Sides: Pair these juicy turkey burgers with crisp sweet potato fries or tangy coleslaw to add a refreshing crunch and complement the burger's savory profile.
• Wine and Brew Match: Select a light-bodied pinot noir or a crisp wheat beer that won't overpower the delicate turkey meat, enhancing the burger's subtle herb and garlic notes.
• Bright Condiment Companions: Top burgers with sharp cheddar cheese, creamy avocado spread, or spicy jalapeño mustard to elevate the flavor complexity and add exciting texture contrasts.
• Fresh Green Accompaniment: Serve with a light mixed green salad dressed in a citrusy vinaigrette to cut through the burger's richness and provide a clean, palate-cleansing element.

Flavor Upgrades for Your Turkey Burgers

• Herbed Mediterranean Blend: Incorporate chopped fresh oregano, mint, and crumbled feta cheese into turkey mixture for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired burger.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to create a bold, southwestern-style turkey burger with extra heat.
• Mushroom Swiss Fusion: Fold sautéed chopped mushrooms and grated Swiss cheese directly into the turkey meat for an earthy, rich flavor profile.
• Lean Green Protein: Add finely chopped spinach, fresh parsley, and green onions to boost nutritional value and create a vibrant, herbaceous burger experience.

Grilled Turkey Burgers Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Juicy grilled turkey burgers bring Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your summer barbecue. Packed with herbs, feta cheese, and a zesty yogurt sauce, these lean patties offer a refreshing twist on classic burger fare that you’ll savor with every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 ⅓ pounds (0.6 kg) 93% lean ground turkey

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• ½ medium yellow onion, finely grated and squeezed of excess moisture
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)

Cooking and Serving Ingredients:

• Oil, for the grill grates
• Burger buns
• Cheese
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Pickles
• Mustard
• Ketchup
• Aioli

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Instructions

1. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for patty assembly and moisture control.
2. Finely grate the onion, carefully removing excess liquid using paper towels to prevent soggy burgers.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine ground turkey with grated onion, minced garlic, creamy mayonnaise, tangy Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning.
4. Gently incorporate ingredients using fingertips, avoiding overworking the meat to maintain tenderness.
5. Divide mixture into four uniform patties, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
6. Chill patties in the freezer for approximately 20 minutes to help them retain shape during grilling.
7. Preheat grill to medium-high temperature, creating ideal cooking conditions.
8. Lubricate grill grates using tongs and an oil-dampened paper towel to prevent sticking.
9. Place turkey patties on hot grates, cooking for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
10. Optional: Add cheese during the final two minutes of grilling for melted goodness.
11. Transfer grilled patties to prepared buns and garnish with preferred toppings and condiments.
12. Serve immediately while burgers remain hot and juicy.

Notes

• Chilling patties helps them hold together and prevents crumbling during grilling, ensuring a juicy and intact burger.
• Use lean ground turkey and grate onion finely to keep burgers moist and flavorful without becoming dry.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe cooking and prevent foodborne illness.
• Lightly mix ingredients to maintain a tender texture, avoiding overmixing which can make burgers tough.
• Oil grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and create beautiful grill marks on the burger surface.
• Let burgers rest for a few minutes after grilling to help juices redistribute, resulting in a more succulent meal.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg