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These turkey burgers are incredibly juicy and delicious! The perfect combo of lean turkey breast and rich turkey thighs keeps patties moist, while a bit of mayo adds an extra layer of creaminess you’ll crave!
A lighter alternative to beef burgers, turkey burgers are just as tasty—and they’re ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend dinners, this recipe is freezer-friendly and super versatile: grill them, cook them on the stovetop, or bake them—whatever works for you.
And once you try these turkey burgers, you’ll see why they’re so addictive. Easy to make and sure to please, but be careful who you make them for—they might just be asking for seconds!
Looking for more burger ideas? Fire up the grill with my Grill Burgers recipe for that irresistible smoky flavor, and stay tuned for my upcoming oven-baked burger recipe for a convenient, hands-off option!
Recipe video tutorial
Ingredients
- Ground turkey: I use both lean ground turkey breast and fatty ground turkey thighs (dark meat). This combination creates the perfect texture and juiciness. Using only ground turkey breast will result in dry burgers.
- Garlic: For added depth of flavor.
- Olive oil: I love to use olive oil, but you can use your preferred cooking oil or melted butter.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds a savory, umami flavor.
- Dijon mustard and Mayonnaise: For tanginess and creaminess.
- Parsley: Adds a bit of freshness.
- Spices: You will need smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can use this homemade burger seasoning.
See the printable recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make turkey burgers
Mix the ingredients: Place all the ground meat in a large bowl. Then add the minced garlic and minced parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Gently combine the ingredients without overmixing—overmixing can make the burgers tough. I like to mix everything with my hands.
Form into patties: Separate the mixture into five equal portions/balls—you can either eyeball it or weigh each portion to make sure they are the same size.
Shape each ball into a patty about 1 inch thick. Then, make a slight dimple in the center of each patty using your thumb. Doing so will prevent the patties from bulging while cooking.
You can now place the patties in the fridge for 30 minutes (or the freezer for 15-20 minutes). While optional, I highly recommend this step—chilling them will help them hold their shape better.
Cook the patties: Next, preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat—grease with the olive oil. Then, place the patties on the grill/pan.
While one side is cooking (5-6 minutes), you can brush the other side with a bit more oil. Flip them and cook for five more minutes or until cooked through. If you are adding cheese and want it to melt over the burgers, place a slice over each patty during the last minute of cooking.
Assemble burgers and add toppings: Once fully cooked, let the turkey patties rest for 5 minutes. Then, they are ready for your burgers. Stack the hot patties over burger buns, and dress them up with your favorite burger toppings and condiments.
Helpful tips
- Use Ground Turkey with Some Fat to keep the patties juicy and yummy. It’s best to combine turkey breast with turkey thighs.
- Do not over-mix the turkey burger mixture. It should be just combined. Overmixing can make the burgers tough and chewy.
- Press down in the middle of each patty with your thumb to make dimples. This will prevent the patty from puffing up and help the burgers cook evenly.
- Chill them before cooking: Refrigerate the raw patties for at least 30 minutes or place them in the freezer for 15- 20 minutes before grilling to help them firm up and keep their shape during cooking.
- Check for doneness: Use a food thermometer to check that the internal temperature (in the center of the patties) has reached 165ºF/74°C.
- Let them rest: Let the patties rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This helps lock in the juices, keeping them moist and tasty.
Serving ideas
You can serve the burgers with your favorite toppings or go with the classics like lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and some mayo. You can also try them with Raising Cane’s Sauce—it’s one of my favorite condiments!
Other great toppings you can use are:
- Homemade coleslaw
- Easy pickled cucumbers (homemade pickles)
- Rich, sweet onion jam or caramelized onions
- Lebanese garlic sauce
And, of course, make sure to serve the juicy turkey burgers alongside crispy oven-baked french fries.
Storage tips
The raw patties: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also freeze them, separated by parchment paper, in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
The cooked patties: Once cooked and cooled, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Place them in an airtight container, separated with parchment paper.
To thaw: Make sure to thaw the patties overnight in the fridge. Then, cook or reheat as needed.
If you try this incredibly juicy turkey burger recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Juicy Turkey Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
For the turkey burger patties
- 1 lb ground turkey breast
- 0.5 lb ground turkey thigh (dark meat)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley minced, optional
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Serving (optional)
- 5 burger buns
- lettuce leaves
- tomatoes sliced
- red onion sliced
- cheese sliced
- mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey (breast and thigh), garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, mayo, and Dijon mustard. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
- Divide the mixture into 5 equal portions. Shape into patties, about 1 inch thick. With your thumb, make a slight dimple in the center of each patty to prevent bulging while cooking.
- Optionally (but highly recommended), cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help patties hold their shape.
- Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat—grease with the olive oil.
- While one side cooks (5-6 minutes), brush the other with more oil. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add cheese during the last minute if desired.
- Let the turkey patties rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve on buns with your choice of toppings, and enjoy your turkey burgers.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So perfectly juicy.