Our Best-Ever Turkey Burger Is Anything But Boring (2024)

FAQs

What makes turkey burgers taste better? ›

Turkey burgers are much leaner than hamburgers, but they can be dry and dull. Moisten them by adding ketchup and a bit of grated onion to the ground turkey — or mayonnaise and a bit of mustard. The idea is to emphasize condiments, and keep the turkey moist.

A 4-ounce cooked turkey burger (made from a combination of dark and light meat) has 193 calories, 11 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat and 22 grams of protein. It's an excellent source of niacin and selenium and a good source of vitamin B6, phosphorus and zinc.

"Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile," says Beaver. "In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat."

Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss. However, if your main goal is flavor, ground beef may outshine turkey in some dishes.

What Keeps Turkey Burgers Together? In this recipe, egg and panko help bind the turkey burgers and keep them from falling apart.

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

Veggie Burgers

Plant-based burgers generally contain fewer calories per gram than meat burgers since they are free of saturated and trans fats. The plant-based diet helps people maintain a healthy weight and has fewer calories, fat, and cholesterol.

Unlike traditional beef patties, ground turkey on its own doesn't contain a punch of flavor. While beef burgers only require a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides, you can elevate your turkey burgers by mixing seasoning straight in with the meat.

How to tell if turkey burgers are done? ›

Place the patties on the grill or in the pan and cook approximately 5 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove the patties from the heat and let rest until reaching a temperature of 165°F. Serve the turkey burger patties on whole wheat buns with your choice of condiments.

Turkey is poultry and like chicken, it's lean and therefore lacks the fat that not only aids in flavor but keeps the burger juicy throughout.

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

Adding broccoli and low-fat cottage cheese, and eliminating ground beef or swapping it for lean ground turkey, helps you adhere to a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) meal plan, which emphasizes vegetables, fruit, and reduced-fat dairy products.

Low in calories with only 11 grams of fat, this turkey burger gives you 22 grams of protein and non-stop flavor. Whether you're health-conscious or, maybe not so much, all types of burger-lovers will agree that this versatile BUBBA is a favorite for any day of the week.

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all. (While you're at it, season the cavity with a good amount of salt and pepper.) Brining is an essential step to ensure a juicy bird.

Don't be afraid to load up your turkey burgers! Think about pairing flavors that will go well with the lighter turkey meat and the seasoning mixture you've used. I love topping my turkey burgers with goat cheese, roasted red peppers, arugula, a sunny-side-up egg, and spicy aioli.

The crumbs will absorb the moisture and, together with the egg, will act like glue and help your burgers maintain their shape on the grill.

A few tablespoons of panko bread crumbs break up the finely ground turkey; gently tossing all the ingredients together and using a light touch to shape the patties helps keep the texture loose. Baking soda and gelatin keep the meat moist; help with browning, richness, and savory flavor; and provide a juicy mouthfeel.