This quick and easy Turkey Burgers recipe always yields the most tender and juicy results! There’s the perfect mix of ingredients to make the burgers flavorful and juicy. These patties are a leaner alternative to beef that don’t sacrifice any flavor!
Sink your teeth into more of my favorite burger recipes like Classic Burgers and Chicken Burgers.
Table of Contents
Turkey is a pretty lean meat, which means most turkey patties turn out fairly dry. Not my turkey burgers though! I’ve had too many turkey burgers in my life where you have to pile sauce mile high just to be able to chew it. Dry burgers are not pleasant and that’s why I’ve tested out several little tricks to make it juicy and tender.
These easy to make turkey burgers are perfect for both weeknight dinners and summertime backyard barbecues alike! You only need about 10 minutes of prep time and another 20 minutes to cook them, so it’s a great recipe for when you need something quick.
You can also top off these burgers with all of your favorite fixings, just like you would a beef patty. Brioche or pretzel buns are my usual go-to buns depending on what toppings I’m craving. Brioche is a light and slightly sweet bun and goes great with a simple lettuce, tomato, and onion toppings. For a richer, more filling option, I use a pretzel bun and add cheese, mushrooms, onions, and bacon.
Ingredient Notes
Ground Turkey – Don’t choose turkey meat that is too lean. There is extra lean ground turkey on the market – do not get those for burgers! Fat is what adds juiciness to the meat, so select ground turkey that is no leaner than 93%-7% lean to fat ratio.
Bread Soaked in Milk – I use wet bread slices in my turkey burgers as well as meatballs because it gives the best results. Breadcrumbs also work, but don’t provide the same moisture.
Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan cheese is great for enhancing the flavor and making these burgers juicier. Parmesan is not really noticeable in the burger because it doesn’t take over the flavor, but it’s just subtle enough to really take the patty to the next level.
Fresh Herbs – Just a little bit of dill weed and parsley adds a nice herbaceous note to the burgers without overpowering the overall flavor.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Turkey Burgers
Soak the bread. Before you combine the ingredients, place the slices of bread into a wide, shallow bowl and pour milk over it. Let the bread soak up the milk.
Squeeze and crumble the bread. Combine all of the ingredients except for the bread in a large bowl. Squeeze most of the milk out of bread slices, then crumble the bread as finely as you can, then add it to the bowl with the other ingredients (1).
Create the patties. Mix all ingredients together until combined (2). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, then shape the burger patties and place them there (3).
You can make them on your stove top. Preheat a large pan over medium heat and add oil. Cook the turkey patties for about 6-8 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the burgers (4).
Or, you can grill them. Spray the patties with oil on both sides, not the grill! Set the coals far away from the grill gate, then cook the burgers for about 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
PRO TIP: Since turkey burgers are much softer than beef hamburgers, use a vegetable grilling basket with finer grate to cook the turkey burgers on the grill.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! To make gluten-free turkey burgers, use gluten-free bread in the patty mixture. My favorite gluten-free bread is Schar artisan white because it seems to resemble regular bread the closest. Give it a few extra minutes to soak because gluten-free bread is usually on the denser side.
Store your leftover turkey burgers in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 4-5 days. Reheat them easily in a microwave. Just make sure to cover the plate with a microwave lid or another plate. You can also reheat your leftovers in a pan over medium-low heat. Cover the pan with a lid while reheating.
The term “healthy” is subjective since everyone has different dietary needs. With that being said, I do consider turkey to be a healthier protein than most others like ground beef because it’s leaner and has less saturated fat.
If ground turkey works well with your diet too, try out my favorite Avocado Turkey Tacos!
How to Freeze Turkey Burgers
To freeze turkey burgers, mix the ingredients together and shape the burger patties. Place those patties on a rimmed baking sheet covered in parchment paper and pop it in the freezer for about 2 hours.
Stack the patties in twos with sheets of parchment paper in between and place them inside a freezer bag. You can freeze all of the burgers at the same time or portion them in several smaller freezer bags. Get the air out of the bags, seal, label, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw burgers, simply place the frozen patties on a plate, cover it, and slow-thaw it in the refrigerator.
More Burger Recipes to Try
If you’ve made my Turkey Burger recipe and found a lot of good information here, PLEASE leave a 🌟 star rating! Let me know how you liked it by leaving the 📝 comment below as well. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter!
Turkey Burgers Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs ground turkey 93% – 7% lean
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices of bread
- 1/2 cup whole milk (can use alternatives if needed)
- 1 Vidalia onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh minced parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh minced dill weed
- fresh cracked black pepper
- salt
Instructions
- Before combining the ingredients together, place slices of bread into a wide, shallow bowl and pour milk over it. Let bread soak up the milk.
- Combine all ingredients except the bread in a large mixing bowl. Squeeze out most of the milk out of bread slices and crumble the bread as finely as you can. Crumbling it will ensure that bread is spread evenly throughout. (Discard squeezed out milk.)
- Mix all ingredients together until combined.
- Cover a baking sheet or a large cutting board with parchment paper and shape the burger patties.
Cooking on stove-top:
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat and add oil. Cook turkey burgers for 6-8 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the burgers.
Grilling turkey burgers:
- Since turkey burgers are much softer than beef hamburgers, use a vegetable grilling basket with finer grate to cook the turkey burgers on the grill.
- Make sure to spray the burger patties with oil on booth sides, not the grill. Set the coals the furthest away from the grill grate so the burgers don’t cook too fast on the outside.
- Cook turkey burgers on the grill for about 5-6 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the patties.
Video
Notes
- Gluten Free: To make gluten-free turkey burgers, use gluten-free bread in the patty mixture. My favorite gluten-free bread is Schar artisan white because it seems to resemble regular bread the closest but you can use why one you like. Give it a few extra minutes to soak because gluten-free bread is usually on the denser side.
- Storing: Store your leftover turkey burgers in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 4-5 days. Reheat them easily in a microwave. Just make sure to cover the plate with a microwave lid or another plate. You can also reheat your leftovers in a pan over medium-low heat. Cover the pan with a lid while reheating.
- Freezing – there are detailed instructions on how to freeze turkey burgers within the post! Please see the post.
Sandy says
I must have done something wrong, used white bread didn’t hold up well could not get extra milk out of it. Way too wet to hold together. Came out like hash instead.
LyubaB says
Hi Sandy,
I am sorry it didn’t turn out. The only thing I can think of is maybe you poured the bread and milk into the same bowl as the meat mixture? You should use a separate bowl and pour the milk and bread in it, then squeeze the milk out of the bread into the bowl, discard the leftover milk, then put the squeezed breed into the meat mixture. It should be moist but not wet like you mentioned when following these instructions. I hope you will try it again.
Mary Martin says
Very easy to make and was really juicy. First time I’ve ever made turkey burgers but it won’t be the last. Thanks
LyubaB says
Hi Mary,
I am so happy you liked them! They are definitely a family favorite!
Kim says
This burger is a hit at our house! Used dry seasoning, but still great! Thanks!
LyubaB says
Hi Kim,
So glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by to let me know 🙂
Ellen says
Love this recipe !! But what kind of bread do you use ? Whit bread just doesn’t hold up well !! I am going to try whole wheat bread
LyubaB says
Hi Ellen,
For this recipe, the bread is more for moisture then to bind it together so you can use either white or whole wheat. I hope you like them! 🙂
Royette says
Just finished eating this very yummy turkey burger. Thanks for the recipe.
LyubaB says
Hi Royette,
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa says
If I only have Pablo breadcrumbs, can I use those? And how much? Thanks
Letty says
Made these today! They were delicous and oh so tender and juicy! I topped mine with homemade guacamole. I froze left over patties too. Keeping this recipe forever!
LyubaB says
Awe thanks, Letty! I am so glad you liked it! 🙂
Jenny says
My husband has made turkey burgers a few times and they always turn out mushy and gross. I decided to take over and I tried this recipe tonight. It came out SO DELICIOUS!! I pan cooked the burgers and they were so easy to make. Even my picky one year old ate his dinner. Thank you!!
LyubaB says
Jenny, I am so glad you liked them!
Jenea says
Best turkey burger. The only thing I did differently was I used dry seasoning instead of fresh.
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked it! 🙂
Susan says
This is a great turkey burger recipe. The only thing I added was some caramelized onions on top. Delicious!
LyubaB says
Thanks, Susan! Caramelized onions sound so good! I will have to do that next time!
blake says
These were so tasty!
LyubaB says
Thanks, Blake
Victor says
Great Recipe!
LyubaB says
Thanks!
Faith says
These are the best turkey burgers I have found. I have made them a lot!!! Thank you 😊
LyubaB says
Wow! Thank you so much for the sweet compliment! I am so happy you enjoy them!