This easy turkey burger recipe is simple and delicious, perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner. You can also make them ahead and freeze them!.
Transforming Turkey Burgers into Juicy, Beefy-Flavored Treats
Turkey burgers can be a healthy, lean alternative to beef. But sometimes that lower fat content comes at the cost of a satisfying, beefy flavor. If you’re a beef burger fan, turkey patties can seem bland and dry in comparison. However, with the right preparation and cooking techniques, it’s easy to transform basic turkey burgers into juicy patties bursting with rich, meaty flavor. Read on to unlock the secrets to making your turkey burgers taste just like the real thing.
Start with Seasoning and Spices
One of the biggest keys to making turkey taste like beef is loading up on seasoning and spices. Plain old salt and pepper won’t cut it here. You need to use ingredients that add deep, savory umami flavor.
Worcestershire sauce is a must for boosting the meatiness of turkey burgers. The tamarind and molasses notes lend sweetness and tang that makes the burgers pop. You can also spike the meat with smoked paprika. The smokiness mimics the charred flavor of grilled beef patties.
Onion powder and garlic powder are also essential for adding aromatic depth A dash of soy sauce brings another layer of salty savoriness too. And don’t be shy with black pepper – it helps accentuate the hearty flavor you want in beefy burgers
Consider unique touches like a dash of fish sauce or liquid aminos to amp up the umami factor even more. Just a teaspoon will do the trick without tasting overtly fishy. The result is turkey burgers with bold multilayered flavor.
Nail the Cooking Method
You can prep the juiciest, most well-seasoned turkey burger, but the cooking method also plays a key role in achieving ultimate beefy flavor. Some tips to keep in mind:
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Don’t overwork the meat when forming patties Gentle handling preserves moisture and tenderness
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Brush patties with oil before cooking. It helps form a flavorful sear and cooks the burger evenly.
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Cook over high heat to mimic charring on a grill. Use a heavy skillet and don’t move the patties until nicely browned.
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Cook to the proper internal temp. 165oF ensures safety without overdrying the patties.
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Add cheese slices and let melt before removing from heat. The fat helps keep patties from drying out.
With the right cooking techniques, your turkey burgers will deliver on texture and flavor. A little char on the outside, moist and tender inside, with gooey melted cheese – just like an awesome beef burger!
Extra Tips to Take Flavor Over the Top
If you really want to convince your tastebuds that you’re eating juicy beef instead of turkey, a few extra tricks can get you there:
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Mix in a little bit of beef. Adding just 10% ground beef to your turkey boosts richness.
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Coat patties in beef bouillon powder before cooking. The meaty notes get sealed into the burger.
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Fry bacon until crisp, then chop and mix into the raw turkey. Smoky pork fat = happy tastebuds.
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Smear patties with beefy condiments like A1 or Heinz 57 sauce before cooking. They caramelize into the meat.
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Top cooked burgers with sauteed mushrooms or caramelized onions. Savory, beef-friendly flavors.
With the right blend of spices, cooking technique, mix-ins and toppings, you really can transform your turkey into a satisfying, beef-like burger. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Burgers
If you’re new to working with turkey, you probably have some questions about how to handle these lean patties. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How do I keep turkey burgers from drying out?
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Don’t overmix the meat which can toughen proteins.
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Mix in grated onion or veggies for extra moisture.
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Cook quickly over high heat and don’t smash patties.
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Brush with oil before and during cooking.
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Add cheese or creamy sauce to finished burgers.
What meat blend makes the juiciest turkey burger?
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90% turkey / 10% ground beef is ideal for added richness.
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Mixing in Italian sausage, bacon, or shredded pork also adds nice fat.
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Some chefs recommend blending chicken into the turkey.
Should I grill or pan-fry turkey burgers?
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Grilling adds nice smoky char for beefy flavor.
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Pan frying lets you cook burgers faster at high heat to sear and lock in juices.
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You can also bake turkey burgers in the oven at 400F for 20-25 minutes.
What spices make turkey burgers taste like beef?
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Worcestershire, soy sauce, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika add savory depth.
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Chili powder, steak seasoning, or coffee rub also impart “beefy” notes.
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For extra richness, coat patties in beef bouillon before cooking.
Do turkey burgers freeze well?
Yes! Freezing helps prevent turkey burgers from drying out.
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Shape raw patties with indentation in center to prevent bulging.
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Place wax paper between patties and freezer wrap well.
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Cook frozen patties from frozen.They need a few extra minutes.
Get Creative with Bold New Flavor Combos
Part of the fun of cooking with turkey burgers is experimenting with exciting new flavors. You’re not limited to just mimicking beef. Some tasty ideas:
Southwestern Turkey Burgers
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Mix in roasted green chiles and corn.
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Top with pepper jack, guacamole, pico de gallo.
Italian Herb Turkey Burgers
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Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan.
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Top with marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella.
Jalapeno Popper Turkey Burger
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Mix chopped jalapenos into meat.
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Stuff burger with cream cheese before cooking.
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Top with crispy bacon.
Thai Turkey Burger
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Season with red curry paste, fish sauce, lime juice.
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Top with mango chutney and fresh basil.
Don’t be afraid to spice up your turkey burgers with ethnic flavors, premium cheeses, and gourmet toppings. With the endless possibilities, boring turkey burgers will be a thing of the past!
Satisfy Your Beef Burger Cravings with Turkey
While turkey will never quite perfectly mimic the mouthfeel and beefiness of a grilled beef burger, you can get surprisingly close. With the inside tricks we’ve covered, from seasoning and cooking methods to creative mix-ins, your turkey patties can hold their own against the real thing.
Next time you get a hankering for a juicy burger cooked over an open flame, but want a healthier alternative, give turkey a try. You may just forget that you’re not actually sinking your teeth into an all-American cheeseburger. Just don’t tell your friends – they’ll be begging for your “secret recipe” for the best turkey burger ever!
How to Grill Turkey Burgers without Falling Apart
Turkey burgers can stick to the grill due to their lower fat content than beef. However, there are a few ways to prevent it from happening:
- Warm up the grill: Make sure the grill is hot before you put the burgers on it. A hot grill helps the meat sear quickly, which keeps the juices in and keeps it from sticking.
- Oil the Grill Grates: Before you start grilling, rub a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel over the grates. This will make the surface nonstick.
- Move the Burgers Too Soon: Once you put the burgers on the grill, don’t touch them for about five to six minutes, or until they’re cooked through. If you flip them too soon, they may stick.
- Use a Spatula: To keep your burgers from falling apart when you flip them, use a wide spatula to scoop under the meat all the way.
Best Turkey Burger Recipe
I wanted to make a simple turkey burger that you could put on a bun and eat like a beef burger. Like my Turkey Zucchini Burgers or Turkey Broccoli Rabe Burgers, which are also tasty but don’t have any extra vegetables added to them. I’ve purchased turkey burgers, like Bubba Burgers, from the supermarket, and I think they’re awful. This turkey burger recipe is delicious, perfect for a quick dinner or a casual weekend get-together. It’s versatile and made with condiments you already have in your kitchen. You can make it your own by adding different herbs and spices to the ground turkey or coming up with your own toppings.
- Ground Turkey: Choose 93% lean ground turkey. 99% ground turkey meat would be too dry. If you want a beef burger, use 90% lean ground beef instead of the ground beef.
- Salty whole wheat or gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used to hold the turkey together.
- How do you make ground turkey taste better? Turkey burgers taste better with dried onion flakes, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, grated garlic, and salt.
- If you want burger buns with less fat and more fiber, I like whole-wheat ones. I often use Martin’s whole wheat potato rolls or Old Tyme’s 647 rolls.
- A lot of people like to put cheese, tomato, red onion, iceberg lettuce, sliced pickles, ketchup, mustard, caramelized onions, and avocado on their burgers.
How to beef up the taste of Ground Turkey
How do you make a turkey burger taste good?
Some people may just like the idea of the turkey burger, but had never been able to make a truly tasty one. There are only three things you need to do to make a turkey burger taste good, though: You have to up the fat (just a little), season it with MSG (that extra bit of glutamate makes a world of difference), and smash the heck out of it.
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
How do you make ground turkey taste like beef?
Learn how to make ground turkey taste like beef. This recipe is for those who want to cut beef out of their diet but still love a good burger! Serve on buns with your favorite condiments. Mix together ground turkey, onion soup mix, and steak sauce in a large bowl. Shape into 4 patties.
Is a turkey burger better than a beef burger?
In this class, Bobby proves that turkey burgers can be just as juicy and flavorful as beef burgers. He knows his way around a turkey burger — so much so that it’s actually one of the most popular alternative burgers at his restaurant Bobby’s Burger Palace. His secret?