Our homemade turkey burgers recipe makes ultra juicy and flavorful burgers that you can enjoy anytime of year! After years of trying boring and dry turkey burger recipes, we’ve tested and perfected the best ingredients to make juicy turkey burgers! With our detailed instructions, step-by-step photos, and expert tips, you’ll be cooking up the most delicious turkey burgers in no time!
Especially in the summertime, I find myself craving a good burger. And while I love traditional beef burgers as much as the next guy, I generally try to eat leaner proteins like chicken and turkey. As someone who’s developed over 60 main dish recipes for this website, I know what makes a great burger, and turkey burgers have a reputation for being dry and bland. That’s exactly why we spent so much time perfecting this recipe.
My husband and I make these turkey burgers a lot, especially during summer when we’re grilling several times a week. Through countless trials over the years, we’ve figured out the exact fat ratio needed (93% lean is the sweet spot), the perfect blend of seasonings, and our secret ingredient for extra flavor: fresh basil. We’ve also tested different cooking methods and temperatures to ensure these turn out perfect whether you’re cooking them on the stove or on the grill.
What makes this recipe special is that these turkey burgers are genuinely juicy, even when reheated a day or two later. The combination of eggs and panko breadcrumbs keeps the patties together while locking in moisture, and using ground turkey with 7% fat instead of ultra lean varieties ensures they don’t dry out. The fresh basil adds a flavor dimension you won’t find in typical turkey burger recipes. Because we’ve ironed out how to cook turkey burgers on the stove, you can also whip these up on a weeknight anytime of year to get your burger fix!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Turkey Burgers Recipe
- Turkey Burgers vs. Beef Burgers
- Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Burgers
- How to Make Turkey Burgers on the Stove
- Turkey Burgers Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Juicy Ground Turkey Burger Recipe Tips
- How to Serve These Juicy Turkey Burgers
- What to Serve With Turkey Burgers
- How to Store and Reheat Homemade Turkey Burgers
- Homemade Turkey Burgers Recipe FAQs
- Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
- Homemade Turkey Burgers Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Burgers Recipe
- SO JUICY! For whatever reason, turkey burgers often end up dry… but not these! Even reheated 1 and 2 days after making, these still taste fantastic!
- Simple ingredients. All ingredients needed are easy to find at your local grocery store, Target, or Walmart. And you likely have the seasonings in your pantry already!
- A delicious alternative to your favorite beef burgers! As noted above, if you’re looking to enjoy more lean proteins, this is the best turkey burger recipe for you to try!
Turkey Burgers vs. Beef Burgers
Turkey burgers and beef burgers each have their own appeal, and the choice often comes down to personal preference and dietary goals. Turkey burgers are made with leaner meat, typically containing less fat and fewer calories than traditional beef burgers. The best ground turkey for burgers is a 93% lean (7% fat), while the best ground beef for burgers usually ranges from 80-85% lean (15-20% fat). This makes turkey burgers a popular choice for those looking to reduce their fat intake while still enjoying a satisfying burger.
The trade-off is that turkey burgers can be trickier to make juicy and flavorful since fat contributes to both moisture and taste. That’s why this recipe includes eggs and panko breadcrumbs to help retain moisture. In terms of cooking, turkey burgers must be cooked to 165°F for food safety, while beef burgers can be enjoyed at lower temperatures if preferred (that whole medium-rare thing). Turkey burgers also need a gentler touch when cooking since they’re more delicate and can fall apart more easily than beef patties.
Both types of burgers are delicious in their own right. Turkey burgers offer a lighter option that’s still incredibly satisfying when made correctly, while beef burgers deliver that classic, rich burger experience. We love making both, but will whip up this turkey burgers recipe when we want something a bit leaner.
Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Burgers
- Ground Turkey. For the most delicious turkey burgers you need a little fat. So instead of picking the ultra lean ground turkey, I recommend using a 93% lean, 7% fat variety so you have just enough fat to get a nice and juicy burger.
- Large Eggs. Eggs act as a binder in burgers, helping your patties stay together. They also add rich flavor too!
- Panko Bread Crumbs. Especially with leaner meats (like turkey), adding bread crumbs in addition to eggs really help hold the burger patties together.
- Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Minced Garlic, and Fresh Basil. A simple seasoning blend flavor our burgers plus a bonus secret ingredient: fresh basil!
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Turkey Burgers on the Stove
Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Gently mix together until a uniform meat mixture is created. We generally use our hands to do this, however, you can use utensils of your choice if desired.
Divide the mixture in 6 equal portions (we eyeball it, but you can also use a scale to do this if preferred), and roll each into a ball.
Flatten each ball into a turkey burger patty. As shown, we like to line a cutting board with parchment paper, place the turkey patties on top (usually in two rounds), add another layer of parchment and then gently press each turkey patty with another cutting board to create an even patty.
Cook your turkey burger patties in a skillet or on a griddle on the stove over medium heat. Be sure to pre-heat your pan and spray it with nonstick cooking spray before your start for best results. Burgers are ready when the middle of the patty reaches 165°F and the edges are golden brown. Each side will be cooked about 5 minutes per side.
Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Turkey Burgers Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Replace the onion powder with fresh, finely diced onions. If you love adding onions to your burgers, you can definitely do this for this recipe too! Omit the onion powder and add finely diced yellow or white onion to your burger mix.
How to Grill Your Turkey Burgers
We spent the summer testing and verifying that this recipe works well on the grill, and it does! Over medium to medium-high heat, you’ll cook your turkey burger patties about 6-7 minutes on each side (but be sure you temp them to confirm they’ve reached 165°F).
For best gilling results be sure to:
- Chill your burger patties for about 20 minutes for easier handling.
- Ensure your grill grates are cleaned (you can do this by scraping the grates with a wire brush after preheating your grill) .
- Grease or oil the grill grates before placing the turkey burger patties onto the grill to prevent sticking. You can do this by dipping a wadded-up piece of paper towel into an oil with a high smoke point (we like avocado oil or grapeseed oil best, canola oil can also be used), and gently wipe the oil across the hot grates with a long grilling tongs.
- Flip your burgers with a grill spatula in one swift movement. Since you’ve oiled the grates, you should be able to slide the spatula right under your burger patties.
- Don’t press down on your patties as they cook. This is especially important as turkey burgers get a bad rap for being dry… if you push down on the patties as they cook you’ll squeeze out all the juices, guaranteeing that they’ll end up dryer.
Juicy Ground Turkey Burger Recipe Tips
- Don’t over-temp your burgers, it’ll drain the juices resulting in a dry burger. Yes, you should use an instant read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of your turkey patties are 165°F BUT you should not poke your burgers over and over and over allowing the juices to run out.
- This recipe is dairy-free as written. If you’d like to make this into a gluten-free turkey burger recipe, grab a pack of gluten-free panko or bread crumbs for your ground turkey mixture! I’ve found these in my grocery store’s organic area.
How to Serve These Juicy Turkey Burgers
Serve your turkey burgers like you’d enjoy any other burger! Use your favorite bun, wrap it in a lettuce leaf for a low-carb option, or enjoy it on it’s own. Then add your favorite condiments!
Recommended Toppings for Turkey Burgers
- Go classic with lettuce, tomato, and pickles with or without ketchup and yellow mustard.
- Add a slice of cheddar, American, or Colby jack for a cheeseburger.
- Make some crispy bacon for a bacon cheeseburger!
- Make a mushroom and Swiss burger by sautéing up some mushrooms.
- Try a lighter combination of cucumber slices, onion, and a light brush of mayo.
- Spread on a fun aioli, like a spice sriracha aioli or flavorful pesto aioli.
- Give it a Tex-Mex vibe with some salsa, guacamole or avocado slices, and a spicy cheese.
- Slather your burger in tzatziki sauce.
What to Serve With Turkey Burgers
Enjoy turkey burgers alongside any of your summertime or BBQ favorites! Some of our favorite sides to enjoy with turkey burgers include:
- Veggie side dishes. Some of our favorites include: Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad, Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Green Bean Caprese Salad, Homemade Creamed Corn, or Broccoli Salad.
- Pasta salads. We love this paired with our Mediterranean Pasta Salad and our Tortellini Pasta Salad recipes! You could also serve this with a macaroni salad or orzo salad.
- Green salads. Keep it simples with your favorite greens tossed in a vinaigrette, grab your favorite bagged salad, or put together something a little more fancy.
- Baked beans. An excellent companion for any BBQ, baked beans go great with these turkey burgers too.
- Chips or Fries. If you’re enjoying these during a BBQ, bust open your favorite bag of potato chips to enjoy with your burger. If you’re cooking these up on the stove, why not make some fries or potato wedges to enjoy too.
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Turkey Burgers
Cooked turkey burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. According to the USDA, burgers should be refrigerated promptly (within two hours at room temperature; or one hour if surrounding temperature is above 90 °F for those enjoying a summer outdoor meal). When reheating fully cooked patties, the internal temperature recommended to reach is a least 165 °F or until the point that it is hot and steaming. We generally microwave our leftovers, but you can also reheat in the over or on the stove if preferred.
Homemade Turkey Burgers Recipe FAQs
The key to preventing turkey burgers from falling apart is using binders in the meat mixture and handling them gently. This recipe uses both eggs and panko breadcrumbs, which work together to hold the patties together. The eggs act as a glue, while the breadcrumbs absorb moisture and create structure. For best results, make sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly so everything is well combined, and avoid over-handling the meat which can make it tough. When forming the patties, pack them together firmly but gently. Also, letting the mixture chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before forming patties helps them hold together better during cooking. Finally, resist the urge to flip your burgers multiple times or press down on them with your spatula, as this can cause them to break apart.
Yes, you can absolutely substitute ground chicken for ground turkey in this recipe! I recommending using the same ratio of 93% lean ground chicken if possible. Ground chicken will work in a similar way as ground turkey in terms of texture and cooking time. The flavor will be slightly different (it is a different meat after all), but the recipe will still turn out great! All the same tips apply: make sure to cook to 165°F internal temperature, don’t over-temp by poking repeatedly, and handle the patties gently to keep them from falling apart.
It’s not necessary to moisten your hands when shaping turkey burger patties for this recipe. The mixture already contains eggs which provide enough moisture, and wet hands can actually make the mixture harder to work with and can prevent the patties from holding together as well. If you find the mixture sticking to your hands, you can lightly coat your hands with a small amount of oil (or spray them with PAM) instead. Alternatively, use the parchment paper method described in the recipe where you press the patties between two cutting boards lined with parchment paper. This creates evenly shaped patties without having to touch the meat directly while shaping.
“Healthy” is subjective, but turkey burgers can be a nutritious option, especially when made with 93% lean ground turkey like this recipe calls for. Turkey is a lean protein source that’s lower in fat and calories compared to traditional beef burgers. It’s also a good source of protein, B vitamins, and minerals like selenium and zinc. However, like any food, the overall healthfulness depends on portion size, what you serve them with, and how they fit into your overall diet. Adding a whole grain bun, plenty of vegetables as toppings, and pairing them with veggie-based sides can make this a balanced meal. Keep in mind that this recipe does include eggs and breadcrumbs, and you’ll likely add cheese and condiments, all of which contribute to the overall nutrition profile.
Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
Homemade Turkey Burgers Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting Board(s)
- Skillet or Griddle
- Spatula for Flipping
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey (recommend 93% lean, 7% fat variety)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Cup panko bread crumbs (we like whole wheat)
- 4 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix all ingredients until well combined (note: you can use a spoon or spatula, but using your hands will be much quicker and more effective).
- *Optionally* let mixture chill in refrigerator for 20-30min to firm up (this isn’t strictly necessary, but it will make forming patties easier; feel free to eliminate this step if you’re in a time crunch)
- Separate mixture into six equal parts and form into patties (tip: press patties together between two wax-paper lined cutting boards; this will ensure patties are the same thickness throughout which will enable more even cooking).
- Heat a greased pan or griddle over medium heat, then cook the patties for approximately 5 minutes per side. The burgers are done cooking once internal temp reaches 165°F.
Marge says
These turkey burgers rock!! Grilled well too
Meredith says
Glad you loved these turkey burgers too!!
Meredith says
We love these!
Kelly says
The basil is such a nice feature here! Really tastes great with the garlic and turkey 🙂
Meredith says
So glad to hear you enjoyed these Kelly! Thanks for giving the recipe a try!