How long it takes: 25 minutes Equipment you’ll need: mixing bowl, grater (optional), broiler or grill Servings: 4 Eat your turkey burger like a normal burger, on a bun with your favorite toppings, or eat it plain. It’s almost like a mini meatloaf. Try your burger with a little barbecue sauce on top, or sautéed onions and mushrooms and a slice of melted Swiss cheese. I like to cut it up and put it on a salad with Thousand Island dressing. It’s my “special sauce” for burgers and it makes a tasty salad dressing, too. Never had a burger salad? It may sound a little weird but it’s actually really good.
About these turkey burgers
You may be thinking, Why go to the trouble of making your own burgers when you can just buy frozen turkey patties? Better flavor and texture is the answer! While I admit you can’t beat the convenience, frozen turkey burgers are rather flavorless and can be pretty dry. When you add an egg, oats, grated onion, and seasoning, the turkey burger is juicy, tender, and so tasty! If you’ve made meatloaf, the mixture for these burgers is somewhat similar. I also love that you can add whatever flourishes you like. In the mood for Italian? Make pizza turkey burgers. How about Mexican? Make taco turkey burgers. Want to get fancy? Try Caprese turkey burgers with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil. California burgers with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and a “secret” sauce are really good, too. Wondering if a turkey burger is healthier than a hamburger? Both burgers add protein and other nutrients to your diet. Turkey burgers are lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories than beef burgers. If you prefer beef burgers, try air fryer burgers. It’s easier and healthier than frying them in a skillet. Try them with air fryer French fries or homemade air fryer tater tots. Don’t forget the French fry dipping sauce (it’s tasty on the turkey burgers, too). A salad is always a good choice. Creamy potato salad or healthy coleslaw (with yogurt dressing) are classic favorites. Having a picnic? Crockpot baked beans are a must!
Helpful Tips
What kind of turkey should you use? I prefer 80/20 ground turkey or dark meat ground turkey. A little fat helps with burgers! If you use ground white meat (breast), the burgers tend to be dry and not as tasty. How long should you cook turkey burgers? Like all poultry, turkey burgers should be thoroughly cooked. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the burgers reaches 165°F. That’s a bit more than beef burgers which are well-done at 160°F. How do you keep turkey burgers from falling apart? Press the burger mix together firmly when making the patties. Turkey burgers can be broiled in your oven on a foil covered sheet pan, or grilled. The mixture can be a little soft so make sure the grill grates are oiled and you don’t try to flip them too soon. I actually prefer broiling them in the oven. Make sure the burger is well-browned on the first side before you try to flip it.
Make-Ahead Ideas
If you want to, make the patties ahead a day ahead and refrigerate or freeze them. They’ll be ready to cook up when you’re ready to eat. Alternatively, the burgers can be cooked before you freeze them.
Reheating
Raw burgers: Cook as directed. Frozen raw burgers: Cook as directed, adding a few minutes to the cooking time. Cooked burgers: Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. Frozen cooked burgers: For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet until heated through.
