When I was younger the words “turkey burger” used to make me think “ick”. Something about turkey in burger form just didn’t appeal to me at all

juicy turkey burger recipe

My grandmother would always make a batch for those who were “dieting”  at our cookouts and yet it seems everybody loved them whether they were dieting or not! These are the ones similar to the turkey burger she would make right here in case you want to try them out.

It wasn’t until I was older that I had my first turkey burger. It messed me up for a long time though and I swore them off. It was dry, crumbly, and mushy all at the same time. How is that even possible!?! Oh and bland, bland, bland!!!

turkey burger recipe

When I had to give up beef and dairy while nursing I thought it was time for me to revisit this whole turkey burger thing.

To make a long story short,  I LOVE TURKEY BURGERS now!!!!! After playing around with several recipes I found several that always come out great!!

grilled turkey burgers

Today I’m going to share with you one of my favorite grilled turkey burger recipes. These turkey burgers grill up beautifully!!

They’re juicy, flavorful, and firm! No mush meat here!!!

best turkey burger recipe

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking turkey burgers, especially on the grill since they can be a bit “boujie”.

easy grilled turkey burger recipe

How to grill the BEST Turkey Burgers

  1. Add FAT!!! Turkey burgers are notorious for being dry. Adding some fat to them helps keep them plump and juicy! I love adding in olive oil, mayo, milk, or cream.
  2. Double UP On Flavor! You know the spices you normally put on your beef burgers? You can use those on turkey burgers as well, only DOUBLE IT! Turkey meat is bland. I’m sorry but it is. Boo, boring, bland!!! You almost have to over-season the stuff to get it tasting flavorful.
  3. Add Moisture. Ground turkey is pretty mushy but you still need to add in some moisture. The added moisture will give you a bit of forgiveness if you overcook them as well as I like to add grated onions and peppers for moisture. The fat also adds some moisture.
  4. Don’t overcook! Seriously, just don’t. Cooking time will vary depending on thickness.
  5. Do a test patty. Also, do a tiny test patty after you are done seasoning up your turkey to make sure it tastes amazing and adjust any seasonings if needed. There is no excuse for having a bland turkey burger when you do the tiny patty test.
  6. Add binders. Ground turkey meat is soft and mushy. It needs things to bind it together. I like to use crushed croutons and eggs. But I’ve also used club crackers (gosh I love those things).
  7. Spray the grill. Before you fire up the grill spray it generously with nonstick grilling spray and be gentle when placing the burgers on the grill.
  8. Chill overnight. A freshly prepared turkey burger mixture can be soft and sticky. Chilling the mixture overnight will firm it up, increase the flavor and make shaping patties easier.

Watch me make these grilled turkey burgers from start to finish!

 

Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Turkey Burgers

4.45 from 9 ratings
Juicy turkey burgers with a secret ingredient!
Prep Time: 21 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb organic ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup seasoned croutons, crushed
  • 2-4 tablespoons white onions, grated and pressed to remove excess moisture
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 cup Colby jack, shredded
  • Potato Buns
  • Toppings & Condiments, mayo, bbq sauce, mustard, lettuce, bacon, provolone cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, tomato

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl stir together turkey, croutons, white onion, garlic, heavy whipping cream, olive oil, and egg.
  • Sprinkle seasonings (salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, ground mustard, Italian seasoning, and parsley) over the mixture and stir to combine.
  • Stir in shredded cheese.
  • Fry up a tiny test patty to make sure the mixture is seasoned to your liking.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. Overnight is best.
  • Divide mixture into 4 or 8 equal portions.
  • Shape each portion into a patty.
  • Spray grill generously with non-stick grilling spray.
  • When the grill is heated, place burgers onto the prepared grill and cook until done. (cook time will vary based on thickness)
  • Let cooked burgers rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Add your favorite burger toppings (I used all of the toppings and condiments in the ingredients list!)
  • Serve with a pickle and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Buttered and lightly toasted potato buns are great with this!
Cuisine: American
Course: burgers, Dinner, turkey burger
Author: Divas Can Cook
Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.