Yes, this is the very BEST Turkey Burger! Ground turkey is all dressed up with grated onions, Worcestershire sauce, a medley of bold seasonings and my own little secret ingredient that really sends them over the top. They’re so tender, juicy, and perfect for biting in to with all of your favorite toppings between two buns!

A turkey burger is plated with potato chips.

Summer’s basically here! While I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that fact, I’m preparing all of my favorite burger recipes for the upcoming cookouts, backyard barbecues, pool parties. I have about 1 million burger recipes that I’m head over heels in love with, and this turkey burger is certainly one of them! It’s seriously the best.

There’s a secret ingredient in the mix here that really makes these burgers as amazing as they are. It’s apple butter! I know it sounds pretty crazy, but stay with me here.

Apple butter (which can also be swapped with applesauce) lends the perfect amount of moisture that keeps the burgers nice and juicy. Ground turkey has a tendency to dry out, but not with this easy foolproof recipe.

A great reason most people whip up turkey burgers instead of your regular beef burgers is for a leaner option. Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef and has fewer calories, which is fabulous if you’re looking for that kind of protein. Even if you’re not too concerned about fat and calories, you’ll still be happy making the best turkey burger recipe for their epic flavor!

Ingredients You Will Need

  • Turkey – This recipe stars with lean ground turkey breast which is a staple in my house. You can substitute with ground chicken or, if you want something heartier, you can use lean ground beef.
  • Onion – Sweet onion or yellow onion is grated to add moisture and flavor with having big chunks of onion throughout your burger.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – To get that umami flavor without the beef, I use Worcestershire sauce. It’s salty and rich which gives the burgers an extra meaty flavor. If you prefer, you can substitute with soy sauce, coconut aminos or even fish sauce.
  • Apple Butter – It sounds weird but the apple butter keeps the turkey burgers from drying out and makes them extra juicy with a slight sweetness. This is my secret ingredient and shouldn’t be skipped. If you can’t find apple butter, you can substitute with applesauce.
  • Seasoning – Onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt and black pepper season the burgers perfectly. No bland burgers here! If you want to add a little heat, you can sprinkle in a bit of ground cayenne pepper.
  • Cheese – Make it a cheeseburger with slices of munster cheese or American cheese.

For the full ingredient list and cooking instructions, see the recipe card below.

Two turkey burgers are plated with potato chips in a basket.

How to Make the Best Turkey Burger

This quick and easy recipe always delivers the best results! Grab your buns and all the toppings your heart desires and let’s get to cooking this stovetop burger recipe.

  1. Make the burger mixture. Combine all of the ingredients for the burger patties in a large bowl. You can use your hands or a pastry blender to get this done! Be sure to mix everything well until combined, but not too much.
  2. Shape the patties. Shape the ground turkey mixture into 4 patties that are each about 1 inch thick and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use your thumb to press down gently in the center of each patty.
  3. Cook the burgers. Heat butter in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the turkey burger patties for 5 minutes per side until golden brown or until the internal temperature on an instant-read thermometer registers 165˚F.
  4. Assemble the burgers. Layer hamburger buns with your favorite condiment like ketchup or burger sauce then top with lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato and your turkey patty.

You can also grill burgers on a gas or charcoal grill for an outdoor dinner that has a hint of char-broiled flavor. If you’re grilling the burger patty, be sure to brush them lightly with olive oil before arranging on the grill so they don’t stick to the grates.

Pickles are placed next to a turkey burger.

Tips for the Best Turkey Burgers

Here are just a few easy tips and tricks to help you achieve juicy turkey burgers every time:

  • Don’t skip out on the apple butter. It really does add just the right touch of moisture to the turkey patties! You can use a store-bought jar or make your very own apple butter in the Crockpot. If you’re opposed to apple butter, you can easily swap it with some applesauce for the same effect.
  • Check the temperature. If you’re nervous about cooking your turkey burgers, don’t be! Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Insert the meat thermometer into the turkey burger and check the temp – once it reaches 165°F, the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.
  • Don’t overwork the meat. Make sure you don’t mix the ground turkey too much or make the turkey patties too compact. Overworking the meat will lead to tough burgers instead of juicy burgers.
  • Grate the onions. Don’t chop them! You want the onions to be present, but not so much that they’re big pieces falling out of the meat. Use the smaller side of a cheese grater to grate the onions into a small consistency.
  • Sweet Condiments. We love ketchup on our burgers but have you ever tried fig jam? This turkey burger is amazing with a sweet component like fig jam, tomato jam or apple butter!

How to Store Leftovers

Once the cooked patties cool all the way to room temperature, transfer them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for about 3-4 days. While you can reheat them in the microwave, I recommend popping them back in the skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.

If you want to freeze your turkey burger patty, freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Once frozen, you can transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

A turkey burger is topped with cheese, lettuce, and a tomato.

Best Sides for Turkey Burgers

A turkey burger is topped with cheese, lettuce, and a tomato.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Burger Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Juicy, tender Turkey Burgers are the most flavor packed burgers you'll sink your teeth into. Apple Butter is the magic ingredient that gives them a hint of sweetness and tons of moisture so no more dry turkey burgers again!
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
  • 1/2 sweet onion, grated (you should have about 2 tablespoons grated onion)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons apple butter, or apple sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 4 slices Munster or American cheese, optional
  • 4 hamburger buns

For serving:

  • Sliced tomato
  • Sliced onion
  • Lettuce

Equipment

  • 1 nonstick skillet

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, add the turkey, onion, Worcestershire sauce, apple butter, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Using clean hands or a pastry blender, mix together until well combined but not over mixed.
  • Shape the turkey into four patties about 1 inch thick. Using your thumb press down gently in the center to create a small well.
  • Heat the butter in a nonstick skillet and cook the burgers for five minutes on each side. (If adding cheese, top each burger with a slice or two during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Cover and continue cooking until done.)
  • Allow the burgers to rest for 5 minutes.
  • To serve, top the bottom half of a bun with one turkey burger. Layer with your favorite toppings and place the top half of the bun on top.

Notes

Turkey burgers can be assembled up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
To keep your turkey burgers flat during cooking, press your thumb in the center of the raw burger patty to create a well. This will keep your burger from puffing up in the center and, once cooked, will have the signature, flat burger patty shape.
Calories: 400kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 723mg, Potassium: 680mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 349IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 88mg, Iron: 3mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: American

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