Want an easy turkey burger recipe that you can bake at home? This kid-friendly baked turkey burger is full of flavor from lean ground turkey, parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach for extra nutrition. It’s also gluten-free.
Baked turkey burgers are an overall great kid-approved dinner meal. Served with a bun and garnished with burger toppings, kids love taking a bite into a juicy burger.
You can make beef burgers by replacing the ground turkey with ground beef. You could also try our Cheese Stuffed Burgers, which are also very tasty.
You’ll love baking turkey burgers in the oven because you don’t have to flip them like you do on a grill or stove. Just shape the patties into patties and put them on a baking sheet. The oven will do the rest. You’ll be glad to know that cooking turkey burgers in the oven only takes 20 minutes!
An extra bonus? Line the baking pan with tin foil. Then you just need to toss the foil afterward and put the pan away – no mess!.
First, get the ingredients and tools you need. Then, read the directions or use the printable recipe card below to get started.
Turkey burgers can be a delicious, healthier alternative to beef But getting the cook time just right is key to serving up turkey burgers that are fully cooked, yet still tender and juicy. So how long should you bake turkey burgers in the oven at 400°F?
When cooking at a typical oven temperature of 400°F, most turkey burger recipes recommend baking for 15 to 18 minutes. However, a few factors can affect the exact oven time needed. Here is a complete guide to getting perfect turkey burgers by baking at 400°F.
Oven Baking Temp of 400°F is Ideal
Cooking turkey burgers in a 400°F oven is a great target temperature. Here’s why it works so well:
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400°F creates a nice sear on the exterior of burgers for texture and flavor.
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The high heat cooks the burgers quickly to help seal in moisture
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400°F is hot enough to fully cook the interior to the safe 165°F.
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It prevents overcooking that can dry out lean turkey meat.
For optimal results, preheat your oven fully to 400°F before baking the burgers. Use an oven thermometer placed inside to verify the actual temperature
15 Minutes: Minimum Cook Time at 400°F
When baking at 400°F, the absolute minimum cook time for turkey burgers is 15 minutes. This ensures:
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The patties reach the FDA recommended safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
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Any bacteria present in the raw turkey meat are fully killed off.
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The burgers have enough time for flavors to develop.
Pulling the turkey burgers out of the oven before a full 15 minutes could potentially leave them undercooked and unsafe to consume.
18 Minutes: Average Cook Time at 400°F
While 15 minutes is the minimum, the most common turkey burger cook time at 400°F is 18 minutes.
Cooking for this duration allows:
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The center of the burger to fully come up to temperature.
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Natural juices to redistribute evenly throughout the patty.
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Opportunity for a touch more browning to build up flavor.
For most turkey burger recipes and sizes, 18 minutes at 400°F produces ideal results with fully cooked, moist meat.
Factors that Influence Cook Time at 400°F
Though 15-18 minutes is typical, a few factors may lengthen or shorten the required bake time at 400°F:
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Thickness – Thinner patties cook faster while thicker versions need longer.
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Size – Smaller diameter burgers cook quicker than larger patties.
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Fat content – Added fats like oil or egg yolk allow slightly less time.
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Doneness preference – Cook for full 18 minutes if you prefer well done.
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Quantity – Large batches may require a few extra minutes.
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Oven tendencies – A fast oven could shave 1-2 minutes off.
Consider these aspects of your specific turkey burger recipe when determining exact cook time at 400°F.
How to Tell When Turkey Burgers are Done
Rather than relying just on oven timers, use these visual and temperature cues to check doneness:
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External color should be light brown, not pale or burnt.
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Interior should register 165°F on a meat thermometer.
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No pink meat should remain when cutting into a burger.
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Turkey should be moist but firm, not dried out or mushy when pressed.
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Juices will run clear with no traces of pink when poked.
Checking these indications guarantees your turkey burgers are fully cooked through at the proper oven time.
Tips for Maximizing Juiciness
To help your turkey burgers stay tender and flavorful using a 400°F oven:
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Use ground turkey with some fat, like 85/15 or 93/7 blends.
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Add moisture-boosting items like oil, egg yolks, or even yogurt.
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Brush patties lightly with oil before baking.
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Allow burgers to rest 5 minutes after removing from oven.
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Avoid compressing or overworking the meat when shaping patties.
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Cook until just done without allowing overbrowning.
With a few simple tricks, you can bake ultra-juicy turkey burgers even at high oven temps.
Putting it All Together
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Form ground turkey into patties, handling gently.
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Optionally brush with oil and season right before baking.
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Preheat oven to 400°F and place burgers on a baking sheet.
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Bake at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes, checking for doneness at 15 minutes.
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Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Enjoy your juicy oven-baked turkey burgers!
The right combo of a hot 400°F oven, approximate 15-18 minute cook time, and resting delivers perfect turkey burgers every time. Master this simple method and you may never cook turkey burgers on the grill or stovetop again. They’re that easy and delicious straight from the hot oven.
How To Make Baked Turkey Burgers In Oven
Before you start, heat your oven to 400°F and line your baking pan with tin foil to make cleanup easier. This simple step will save you time and effort later.
Now, it’s time to combine the delicious ingredients for your turkey burgers. Two large eggs, three tablespoons of gluten-free bread crumbs, one pound of lean ground turkey, one tablespoon of pickle relish, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, half a teaspoon of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper should all be mixed together in a medium-sized bowl. Don’t forget to add 1/4 cup of finely chopped spinach to enhance both flavor and nutritional value. With your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined.
Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to shape the turkey patties. Using your hands, divide the meat into four equal portions and form them into patties. Make sure to slightly push the middle of each patty in so they don’t get too swollen as they cook. Place the formed patties onto the prepared baking pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
Now, it’s time to bake the turkey burgers. Put them in an oven that is already hot and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which is safe. This ensures that the burgers are thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.
Serve the hot turkey burgers on buns and top them with your favorite garnishes. Whether it’s fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, or any other toppings you love, let your creativity shine.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Variations on the Seasonings: You can change the seasonings to your liking. For extra flavor, you can add herbs like oregano or basil. For some heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Fresh Spinach: For better taste and texture, use fresh spinach. Make sure it’s chopped up small enough to mix well with the burger mix.
- Don’t Overmix: When you mix the ingredients together, do it just until everything is combined. Too much mixing can make the burgers tough, so be careful when you mix the ingredients.
- Bun Choice: Pick the buns that you like best—whole wheat, brioche, or gluten-free, depending on your dietary needs. For a low-carb option, you could also use lettuce wraps or portobello mushroom caps.
- Add a slice of your favorite cheese to the turkey burgers in the last few minutes of baking for a melty, gooey topping.
- Toppings for Burgers: To make the taste better, try adding avocado slices, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or bacon.
- Condiments: Let customers make their own burgers by giving them a choice of condiments, such as BBQ sauce, aioli, or hot sauce.
- Make Extra Patties: If you’re going to the trouble of making the burger mix, you might want to make extra patties and freeze them for later use. Just use parchment paper to keep them from sticking together and store them in a container that won’t let air in.
- You can bake these turkey burgers according to the recipe, but you can also cook them on a grill or in a grill pan on the stove for a different taste. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Bake ground turkey burgers for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the patty reaches 165°F.
Mix the listed seasonings with the ground turkey prior to forming the burger patties. Other options include seasoning with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Yes, you can! Mix the burger ingredients together, make patties, and then put them on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Cover the entire baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerator the day before.
Before cooking, freeze the patties by shaping them and then stacking them with parchment paper in between each one. Place the stack in a freezer bag then in the freezer for up to 3 months. If baking from frozen, add more time until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or let it thaw the night before and bake for 20 minutes.
Allow the turkey burgers to cool to room temperature, then wrap each one in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to store them. Alternatively, place them in an airtight container, separating each patty with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to keep them for a longer period, freezing is an option. Place the wrapped or containerized patties in the freezer, where they can be stored for 1-2 months.
You can either let them thaw overnight in the fridge or cook them straight from frozen, but this will take a few more minutes. This way, you can enjoy your homemade turkey burgers whenever you like with minimal effort.
Best Ever Juicy Turkey Burgers
FAQ
How long do turkey burgers take at 400?
How long to cook hamburger patties in the oven at 400?
How do you know when ground turkey burgers are done?
How to cook turkey burgers in the oven?
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the turkey burgers on the tray. Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place them in the oven. Cook for 25 minutes and then take them out. Enjoy!
How long do you cook a turkey burger?
Cook the turkey burgers for approximately 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the burgers over with a spatula. Continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the turkey burger patties and your oven’s efficiency.
What temperature do you cook a turkey burger at?
Cooking turkey burgers at 400 degrees for 25 minutes will give you that experience. Also make sure that the cooked temperature of the turkey patties have reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be fully cooked. What are other cooking temperature for turkey burger?
How long do you cook a burger at 400?
One: Combine ingredients in a bowl. Two: Shape into burger patties, and place on a baking sheet. Three: Bake at 400 F / 200 C for about 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking. Four: Serve with your favorite toppings. Only mix the ingredients until just combined. Don’t over mix the meat, or it will dry out.
How do you cook turkey burgers on a grill?
Arrange the patties in a single layer in a parchment paper-lined baking dish and freeze. Be sure your grill grates are clean and heat the grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Grill burgers about 5-6 minutes per side, until cooked through. I love cooking turkey burgers in my cast iron skillet!
How long do you cook ground turkey patties?
In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, diced green chilis, red onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Form into 4 flat patties. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Put the patties on the lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the middles of the patties are no longer pink.