How long it takes: 20 minutes Equipment you’ll need: large mixing bowl, sheet pan, foil Servings: 4 burgers We really love pizza burgers, seasoned ground turkey studded with bits of pepperoni, and topped with marinara, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella. Caprese burgers are pretty special, too, with a melty center of fresh mozzarella. However, now it’s time for a TACO turkey burger recipe with my beloved taco seasoning. Taco burgers are easy to make and are great for a crowd. Simply double or triple the recipe. Another option is to make slider sized burgers. Offer a toppings bar so guests can customize their own burgers with guacamole, diced tomato, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, fresh cilantro, grilled peppers and onions, chipotle mayo, whatever your heart desires. Round off the meal with Mexican favorites like 7 layer dip and tortilla chips, black bean corn salsa, or Mexican street corn pasta salad. Creamy southwestern orzo salad with many of the same seasonings as the burgers would be a perfect side.
Ingredient Notes
Ground Turkey: The best choice is 85/15 or 93/7 lean ground turkey. A little fat makes a better burger. The all white meat ground turkey tends to be dry. A question I get asked frequently is whether a turkey burger is healthier than a hamburger. Turkey burgers are lower in saturated fat than a beef burger (Healthline). Other than that, there’s not a lot of difference between the two. Tortilla Chips: Crushed tortilla chips bind things together instead of the usual bread crumbs. The burgers are gluten-free and it’s a great way to use the crumbs at the bottom of the bag of chips! Taco Seasoning: I always use my homemade blend which doesn’t have fillers or artificial ingredients. Onion: To avoid having big chunks of onion in the burgers, grate the onion over the mixing bowl. The finely grated onion and the juices add great flavor to the burger mix. Sliced Cheese, Buns, Toppings of Your Choice
How To Make Turkey Burgers
It’s pretty simple really. The burgers can be grilled or fried in a nonstick skillet but I find that the best way is to broil them in the oven.
Here’s how to do it: Prepare a sheet pan by lining it with foil (easy clean-up!). Get the broiler preheating while you make the burgers.
Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix gently. I use my hands but a spoon is fine too.
Form the mixture into four patties. Make them a little thinner in the middle so the burgers get done evenly.
Arrange the burgers in the sheet pan and broil about 6 minutes. Flip them over and broil another few minutes. The inside of the burger should be at least 165°F. Because it’s ground turkey, you don’t want to serve this burger rare.
Add a slice of cheese and broil for half a minute or until the cheese is melty. Pop those turkey burgers into a bun and dinner is ready! Wasn’t that fast and easy?
Serve the burgers with chips and salsa. If you have an air fryer, make homemade French fries, sweet potato fries, or corn on the cob (or Instant Pot corn on the cob).
More into salads? Creamy coleslaw, grilled vegetable salad, or a simple cucumber salad are good choices.
Tips For The Best Burgers
How do you keep turkey burgers from falling apart? Adding a filler and compressing the burgers pretty firmly helps. I like to cook the burgers under the broiler so I don’t have to deal with grill grates. Make sure the burgers are pretty well done on the first side before you flip them. If they’re sticking or falling apart, let them cook a bit longer before you try to flip them. Why are my turkey burgers dry? Overcooked turkey burgers can be dry. Turkey don’t have a lot of fat so be sure to cook the burgers until they are just done. Use an instant read thermometer to check (165°F).
Make It Your Own
Gluten-free option: Omit the bun. Serve burger with desired toppings. Feed a crowd: Make a double or triple batch of the meat mixture. Form into slider-size patties. Serve with a toppings bar so guests can top their own burgers however they prefer. More seasoning ideas: Add fresh minced garlic or chopped cilantro for more flavor impact. If you don’t have taco seasoning, substitute a tablespoon of chili powder.
Make-Ahead Ideas/Storage
Refrigerate raw burgers: Make the burgers but don’t cook them. Refrigerate, covered well, for up to 24 hours. Freeze raw burgers: To freeze raw burgers, stack the burgers with a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper between each burger. Place in a freezer container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before broiling as directed. Refrigerate cooked burgers: If you prefer, cook the burgers as directed and then refrigerate for up to 3 days in a covered container. or freeze for up to one month. Freeze cooked burgers: Wrap well in foil, then place in a labeled freezer bag. Burgers can be frozen for up to one month. To reheat: To reheat, place in a single layer on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F for fifteen minutes or until heated through. Frozen unthawed burgers will take 5 to 10 minutes longer.
