• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fine Foods Blog
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Work With Me
  • Travel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Work With Me
    • Travel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Turkey Burgers

    Published: Jun 30, 2013 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 · by Debra with 6 Comments · 1243 words. About 7 minutes to read this article. · This post contains affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The sautéed onions and garlic in this easy turkey burger recipe are the secret to keeping them moist and juicy. Grill them up when you want a lighter, healthier burger option.

    A turkey burger topped with melted cheese and tomatoes on a cutting board next to a few cornichons.

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Turkey burgers are a perfect, lighter alternative to beef for your summer grilling menu. But, they can be notoriously dry. Since turkey burgers have so little fat, I like to add moisture and flavor with onion, garlic, and spices.

    Another reason that they can dry out, is because you are making them too large. Since the turkey has to cook fully, start small! Form them into smaller diameter patties, knowing they will not shrink very much. And make them thinner than you would a beef burger.

    Jump to:
    • The story behind this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe

    The story behind this recipe

    I love our house. And we love to entertain. And in the beginning, that included Fourth of July fireworks viewing from the roof. From the deck on our roof we could see the biggest fireworks display in the city.

    My husband Brian and I would rise with the sun and begin our prep, then all of our friends would arrive late in the afternoon and we commenced grilling. Most of the time, we kept the meats simple, the sides interesting, the desserts traditional. These turkey burgers were always on the menu.

    But I once spent all day making homemade barbecue sauce from a recipe in Martha Stewart Living. Although I think everyone was having too much fun to “appreciate” it. (Oh, they thought it tasted fine, I just didn’t get the “you made that from scratch?!” reaction that I felt was completely warranted after spending a whole day making it.)

    There was the time Brian made Carolina pulled pork, and that year Greg even brought over a fryer and we made hush puppies. (?)

    Everyone was welcome - parents, girlfriends, boyfriends, kids and neighbors - and sometimes the temperature was even pleasant enough that we could stand to be outside without drowning in pools of our own sweat. So we hosted and we toasted and we got the whole kit and caboodle up onto the roof deck to watch our patriotic dreams paint the sky.

    But now, ten years on, the trees across the street have grown too tall for us to see the fireworks display. And we discovered that the developer who rehabbed our house never should have put decks on the roof. It can’t support the weight and we have the leaks to prove it. Whoops.

    So this year, we are traveling to New York City on the Fourth instead of hosting a party. It’s time to discover new traditions. But for those of you who enjoyed my turkey burgers over the years, here’s a bit of nostalgia for you.

    Happy Birthday America. Enjoy.

    Ingredients

    A cutting board with chopped onions and garlic, and small piles of kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
    • Ground Turkey: Use the ground turkey with the highest fat content you can find, which usually also includes dark meat. This will help your turkey burgers stay moist and juicy. There's no helping them if you use the 97% fat free kind.
    • Onions and garlic: This is the secret to moist turkey burgers without using breadcrumbs or eggs. The onions and garlic and the bit of olive oil used to cook them down add moisture and texture.
    • Olive oil: You'll need it to cook the onions, and to brush on the burgers before cooking.
    • Salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper: These are the seasonings I use to add a little more flavor. If you don't like the spice, you can easily omit the crushed red pepper.

    Instructions

    A sliced onion and several garlic cloves on a cutting board.

    Finely chop onion and garlic.

    Sautéed onions and garlic in a skillet.

    Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil to lightly coat pan.

    Add onions and garlic, a pinch or two of kosher salt, a few turns of cracked black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper.Sweat onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent, about 3-4 minutes - do not brown!

    Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

    A spatula in a mixing bowl with ground turkey topped with sautéed onions and garlic.

    Add onion and garlic mixture to ground turkey, carefully folding in, do not overwork the meat.

    Three raw turkey burger patties on a white plate seasoned with salt and pepper and brushed with olive oil.

    Form into patties, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.

    Two finished turkey burger patties with grill marks on a white plate.

    Place turkey burger patties on the grill over medium heat and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side.

    Serve with your favorite burger toppings.

    Tips

    • Be sure to chop the onions finely. If the onion pieces are too large, they may still have a 'raw' taste in the burger after it's cooked.
    • If you make the turkey burgers too large, they will have to cook too long and may dry out. Keep burgers about 3-4 inches in diameter and about ¾ of an inch thick.
    • I like to season the onion and garlic mixture when they are cooking. But I only season the meat after I have formed the patties and right before cooking. I don't season it when I mix in the onions and garlic. I think this gives them a brighter flavor.

    Related Recipes

    • Succotash with Homemade Taco Seasoning would be a great side dish with these turkey burgers. You can even make it on the grill!
    • Flanken cut short ribs cook lightning fast on the grill. Try these Grilled Beef Short Ribs with Quick Pickles for something a little different at your next cookout.

    Recipe

    Two grilled turkey burgers on a white plate.

    Turkey Burgers

    The sautéed onions and garlic in this easy turkey burger recipe are the secret to keeping them moist and juicy. Grill them up when you want a lighter, healthier burger option. 
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: Easy turkey burger recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6 About half pound of meat per person prior to cooking
    Calories: 137kcal

    Equipment

    • chef's knife
    • cutting board
    • mixing bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ to 2 lbs ground turkey
    • 1 onion finely chopped
    • 4-6 cloves garlic finely chopped, add amount according to your taste
    • pinch crushed red pepper
    • kosher salt to taste
    • cracked black pepper to taste
    • olive oil
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Finely chop onion and garlic.
    • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil to lightly coat pan.
    • Once oil is hot, add onions and garlic, a pinch or two of kosher salt, a few turns of cracked black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
    • Sweat onions and garlic until aromatic and translucent, about 3-4 minutes - do not brown! Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
    • Add onion and garlic mixture to ground turkey, carefully folding in, do not overwork the meat. Form into patties, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
    • Place turkey burger patties on the grill over medium heat and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Serve with your favorite burger toppings.

    Notes

    • Be sure to chop the onions finely. If the onion pieces are too large, they may still have a 'raw' taste in the burger after it's cooked.
    • If you make the turkey burgers too large, they will have to cook too long and may dry out. Keep burgers about 3-4 inches in diameter and about ¾ of an inch thick.
    • I like to season the onion and garlic mixture when they are cooking. But I only season the meat after I have formed the patties and right before cooking. I don't season it when I mix in the onions and garlic. I think this gives them a brighter flavor.
    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • A piece of salmon topped with creamy dill sauce and garnished with fresh dill and lemon zest.
      Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
    • Vietnamese caramel chicken topped with cilantro and red chilis in a pan with blue handles. A gold spoon rests in the pan sauce toward the bottom right.
      Vietnamese Caramel Chicken
    • Chicken and cabbage with onions roasted on a sheet pan.
      Roast Chicken and Cabbage
    • Holubtsi—Ukranian cabbage rolls—topped with sour cream and fresh dill in a round pan. A wooden spoon is on the right.
      Ukranian Cabbage Rolls (Holubtsi)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Holly Hooper

      October 28, 2021 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      I’m making this for dinner tonight I’ll let you know how it turns out. But I looks good anyways.

      Reply
      • Debra

        November 04, 2021 at 4:30 pm

        Awesome Holly! Hope you liked them!

        Thanks for reading,

        Debra

        Reply
    2. chris fenter

      July 01, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      look fantastic! 😀

      Reply
    3. Amy

      July 01, 2013 at 6:03 pm

      Love your new blog! Love love love it! We have come a long way from Veiled Prophet and lying under the Arch and the stars watching fireworks.

      Reply
    4. drea

      July 01, 2013 at 3:08 am

      nice blog! congrats!
      i'll put in a request for the turkey meatballs that i think had a chipotle cream dipping sauce???

      Reply
      • finefoodsblog

        July 01, 2013 at 2:24 pm

        Drea,

        It's essentially the same recipe. Just form meatballs and sautee in olive oil. And it was a chipotle mayo! You'll be seeing that condiment in upcoming posts...

        Debra

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

    More about me →

    Subscribe To My Enewsletter

    Get my new, and tried and true, recipes delivered to your inbox! Subscribe now!

    Gluten Free Recipes

    • Pimento cheese dip in a red bowl on a round wooden tray, surrounded by butter crackers, carrot sticks, and corn chips. A gold spoon is on the lower left, a red and white striped towel is on the upper left.
      Pimento Cheese Dip
    • Spicy asian broccoli on a white plate drizzled with a spicy sauce that is reddish-brown in color.
      Asian Broccoli
    • Three chocolate pots de creme with whipped cream on top. Chocolate wafers are on the left, a spoon with chocolate on it is on the right.
      Chocolate Pots de Crème
    • A plate of fresh cranberry orange relish with orange zest on top and a gold spoon on the left side.
      Fresh Cranberry Relish

    Search more gluten-free recipes

    Trending Recipes

    • A woman's hands are shown preparing a salt baked whole fish, she stuffs a whole fish with lemon, lime and fresh herbs.
      Salt Baked Fish
    • Chicken thighs topped with a caper lemon sauce on a white plate.
      Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs with Garlic, Capers, and Lemon
    • Two campari and soda cocktails with orange slices, a plate of nuts and two bottles in the background
      Campari and Soda
    • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs with mushrooms and white wine sauce in a blue casserole pan. Some fresh thyme is in the bottom right corner.
      One Pan Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and White Wine

    Chocolate Recipes

    • Gluten free triple chocolate cookies on a baking sheet.
      Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Cookies
    • A gluten free chocolate ganache tart topped with flaky sea salt on a pink plate.
      Gluten Free Chocolate Ganache Tart
    • Three white ramekins of chocolate mousse.
      Chocolate Mousse Recipe
    • Gluten free brownies with ganache icing dusted with cocoa powder on a white surface.
      Gluten Free Almond Flour Brownies

    French Recipes

    • Romaine Hearts salad with blue cheese, pears, and pecans on a white and gray plate.
      Romaine Hearts Salad with Blue Cheese, Pears, and Pecans
    • Mussels in white wine sauce with lemon wedges and parsley in a blue pan with a spoon in it.
      Mussels in White Wine Sauce (Moules Marinières)
    • French hot chocolate in a white cup with another cup and a blue bowl of chocolate in the background.
      French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud)
    • Several servings of eggs en cocotte with spinach and bacon in small cast-iron skillets and serving dishes are displayed on a wooden surface.
      Eggs en Cocotte (Baked Eggs)

    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

    More about me →

    Subscribe To My Enewsletter

    Get my new, and tried and true, recipes delivered to your inbox! Subscribe now!

    Gluten Free Recipes

    • Tricolore salad in a white bowl with gold utensils.
      Tricolore Salad
    • A platter of short ribs in a pomegranate wine sauce with pomegranate seeds on top with a serving fork on the left side of the plate.
      Pomegranate & Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
    • Basler brunsli cookies cut into star shapes of various sizes, topped with powdered sugar and red sanding sugar.
      Basler Brunsli
    • Pieces of cranberry pecan dark chocolate bark on white parchment paper.
      Cranberry Pecan Dark Chocolate Bark

    Search more gluten-free recipes

    Trending Recipes

    • A woman's hands are shown preparing a salt baked whole fish, she stuffs a whole fish with lemon, lime and fresh herbs.
      Salt Baked Fish
    • Chicken thighs topped with a caper lemon sauce on a white plate.
      Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs with Garlic, Capers, and Lemon
    • Two campari and soda cocktails with orange slices, a plate of nuts and two bottles in the background
      Campari and Soda
    • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs with mushrooms and white wine sauce in a blue casserole pan. Some fresh thyme is in the bottom right corner.
      One Pan Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and White Wine

    Chocolate Recipes

    • Gluten free triple chocolate cookies on a baking sheet.
      Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Cookies
    • A gluten free chocolate ganache tart topped with flaky sea salt on a pink plate.
      Gluten Free Chocolate Ganache Tart
    • Three white ramekins of chocolate mousse.
      Chocolate Mousse Recipe
    • Gluten free brownies with ganache icing dusted with cocoa powder on a white surface.
      Gluten Free Almond Flour Brownies

    French Recipes

    • Romaine Hearts salad with blue cheese, pears, and pecans on a white and gray plate.
      Romaine Hearts Salad with Blue Cheese, Pears, and Pecans
    • Mussels in white wine sauce with lemon wedges and parsley in a blue pan with a spoon in it.
      Mussels in White Wine Sauce (Moules Marinières)
    • French hot chocolate in a white cup with another cup and a blue bowl of chocolate in the background.
      French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud)
    • Several servings of eggs en cocotte with spinach and bacon in small cast-iron skillets and serving dishes are displayed on a wooden surface.
      Eggs en Cocotte (Baked Eggs)

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Fine Foods Blog