Turkey burgers have a reputation as the bland, virtuous cousin of the beef hamburger. And some can be, since ground turkey doesn’t bring much to the flavor table as an ingredient. But a turkey burger doesn’t have to be a boring substitute for something you would rather eat—it can be the star of a cookout!
Ground turkey is lower in fat and cholesterol than beef, making it a popular swap for burgers, meatloaf, and other ground beef favorites. Unfortunately, turkey is very lean and quite neutral in flavor, so as a burger, it can be underwhelming.
But that less-than-exciting flavor also makes turkey a great base for ingredients you do love, which, mixed and mingled in a hot skillet or on the grill, makes for a simple burger with big time flavor. Turkey burgers can be the ultimate “kitchen sink” dinner.
Start with 1 lb of ground turkey. This will make enough for 3 or 4 burgers. To the turkey, you’ll need to add rich ingredients, seasoning ingredients, and flavoring ingredients.
Savory Ingredients
Turkey burgers are very lean and low in natural flavor. Add rich and savory flavors to help round out the base of your burger mix. A few splashes of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced mushrooms, minced cooked bacon, anchovy paste, or even some tomato paste can do the trick. Don’t add too much—use a tablespoon as a guide for where to start, and build flavor from there.
Seasoning Ingredients
You’ll want to add salt and pepper to your burger mix, but think beyond the basics. Try drizzling in a few tablespoons of pickled vegetable brine (like from olives, pickles, or pepperoncini) for salty, sweet, and acidic all at once. Or, blend in grated dry cheese
Flavoring Ingredients
For flavoring, anything goes. Add any of the common aromatics that you like, including garlic and onion. You can follow a theme, adding kalamata olives, feta, and roasted peppers for a Greek-inspired burger, or Buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and minced celery for game-day style.
Or, look to your own fridge for a guide. Crunchy veggies, like minced carrots, are a great textural (and health!) addition. Plus, chopped pickled peppers, chutneys, or relish are easy ways to add texture, moisture, and flavor. You can even chop leftover vegetables, like roasted parsnips, steamed broccoli, or grilled zucchini.
Don’t forget your sauces, like spicy mustard, sweet chile sauce, gochujang, Sriracha, harissa. Experiments with one or a few at a time, adjusting with each batch until you find your perfect mix!
Notes for Success:
As a guide, you want at least 2/3 of your mix to be turkey to make sure everything holds together. Some high-moisture ingredients, like mushrooms and spinach, should be cooked before being mixed with the turkey, since a soggy burger will be hard to cook and harder to eat. If your mix is feeling too wet, try chilling the burgers before cooking them, or add some breadcrumbs to help it hold together.
Chop your add-ins finely, for easier combining. Use a food processor, if you like.
If can be helpful to taste the turkey burgers before cooking the whole batch. Heat your pan and sear a tablespoon-sized portion of turkey burger mix on both sides, until it’s cooked through. Use this as a taste test, and adjust the seasoning or flavors.
Make sure your turkey burger is cooked, either on the grill, stove, or oven, to an internal temperature of 165°F.
And if you're still not sure, try our recipe here.