Our Favorite Turkey Burger (2024)

If you're looking for a turkey burger recipe that grills up juicy, not dry, and is flavorful, not bland, try our favorite turkey burgers. To make sure the patties are juicy and tasty, we add Dijon mustard and shredded Gruyère cheese. Cheese and mustard are classic burger accompaniments, but rather than adding them to the bun for serving, we mix them into the turkey. We use Gruyère because it is the best cheese for melting and its rich flavor complements the turkey.

These turkey burgers are easy to make. All you need is one bowl for mixing the six ingredients. They don't need much prep; just mix and form the burgers and they are ready for the grill in 10 minutes or less. Heat the grill, and once it's hot, count on another 10 minutes at most for cooking. They're perfect for a weeknight meal or a summer cookout.

How Long to Grill Turkey Burgers

When you cook turkey burgers, there are variables. How big and thick are the patties? How hot is the grill? We give guidelines in our recipe; the burgers start on a hot grill for one to two minutes to get a good sear, then they are moved to a cooler part of the grill to cook through, five to 10 minutes more.

How do you know if the burgers are cooked through? If you're a very experienced cook, you might be able to tell when turkey burgers are grilled just right, not too little and not too much. Most home cooks need help, and that's where a meat thermometer is vital. Instead of guessing by the exterior look of the burger, or by pressing on the meat, the meat thermometer tells you if the burger is cooked or needs longer on the grill.

Turkey burgers should be cooked until they read 160 degrees Fahrenheit on the thermometer. This is thetemperature recommended by our test kitchenfor flavor, and theUSDAfor food safety.

What to Serve With Turkey Burgers

We love these burgers dressed (with lettuce, tomato, and maybe a slice of white onion plus mayo and mustard) on a burger bun. That's an American classic but it’s not the only way to enjoy these turkey burgers. Try them:

• In pita pockets with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled peppers.
• On a bed of greens with cherry tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and other crunchy, refreshing vegetables tossed in your favorite dressing.
• Make turkey burger bowls with salad leaves (romaine is good), pico de gallo, or your favorite salsa, avocado, and pickled red onions.
• In lettuce wraps with shredded carrots and hot sauce or a vinegar sauce made with 1 part sambal olek to 3 parts rice or white vinegar.
  
• With a Greek salad.
  
• Skip the bun, but serve with traditional BBQ sides like grilled corn and tomato salad, plus ketchup, mayo, and mustard.
  

1. Preheat grill and form burgers:

   Heat grill to high. In a medium bowl, use a fork to gently combine ground turkey with Gruyere, scallions, breadcrumbs, mustard, and garlic; season generously with salt and pepper. Gently form mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties.

2. Oil grill and cook patties:

   Lightly oil grill. Place patties on hottest part of grill; sear until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

3. Flip burgers and continue cooking

   Move patties to cooler part of grill; continue grilling until cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes per side.

   Cook burgers until the internal temperature of the burger reaches 160 degrees.

   

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep turkey burgers from sticking to the grill?

The best way to keep turkey burgers from sticking to the grill is to clean your grill before you start cooking. Food is less likely to stick to a clean grill. Also, preheat the grill and oil it lightly once it is hot.

How often do you flip burgers on the grill?

Burgers should only flipped once, this rule holds true for hamburgers, sausage burgers, turkey burgers, and fish burgers—really, any kind of burger. Flip the patty once and leave it to finish cooking. Don’t push it around on the grill or prod it to see if it might be done. The more you handle it, the more likely you are to dry out the meat or cause the burger to crumble or be pressed flat.

Do turkey burgers cook faster than beef burgers?

Yes, because turkey is leaner than beef, turkey burgers cook more quickly than beef burgers. How quickly they cook can surprise some, especially if they are used to grilling hamburgers—and this may mean overcooked, dry turkey burgers. To avoid this, set a timer.

5 More Turkey Burger Recipes to Try:

• Greek Turkey Burgers
• Turkey-Mushroom Patty Melts
• Turkey Burgers With Creamy Chipotle Sauce
• Turkey Sliders
• Turkey Meatloaf Burgers