Juicy and flavorful, these jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers are incredible! Don’t let the jalapeños scare you. They add tons of flavor (leave out the seeds for less heat!).
These jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers are my favorite meal ever. I could eat them every day for the rest of my life.
The flavor is incredible. They are fast and easy to make. And they get rave reviews from my entire family every time they magically appear at dinner.
I’ve actually never met a burger more flavorful and more delicious than these. They are one of a kind and crazy delicious.
Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers – The Perfect Cookout Burger
If you’re looking for a flavorful turkey burger recipe that will be a hit at your next summertime cookout, you need to try these amazing jalapeño pepper jack turkey burgers. Plump, juicy, and packed with spice and cheesy flavor, these turkey burgers have everything you need to take your cookouts up a notch!
As someone who loves hosting fun backyard BBQs and pool parties during the summer months, I’m always on the hunt for exciting new recipes that feel indulgent yet lighter than typical greasy beef burgers My jalapeño pepper jack turkey burgers check all the boxes – they’re hearty, craveable, and deliciously cheesy with a kick of heat
Keep reading for the full step-by-step recipe and pro tips for making irresistible turkey burgers that will have your guests begging for more!
What Makes These Turkey Burgers So Flavorful?
The problem with a lot of turkey burgers is that since ground turkey is naturally leaner and less flavorful than beef, the burgers can end up dry and bland. Not these burgers!
Here are some of the special ingredients that pump up the flavor:
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Shredded pepper jack cheese – adds delicious melted cheesiness and spice. I mix it right into the ground turkey.
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Minced jalapeño – provides a nice heat that pairs perfectly with the pepper jack.
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Onion and garlic – classic flavor boosters that bring lots of tasty aromatics.
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Cumin, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce – all add smoky, savory depth.
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Fresh cilantro – brightens up the flavor.
The end result is a super juicy turkey burger literally bursting with flavor in every bite. Way better than any frozen turkey burger patty!
Turkey Burger Cooking Tips:
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Use 94% lean ground turkey for the best moisture retention. Ground turkey that’s 99% lean may dry out.
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Refrigerate the formed patties for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them hold their shape better.
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Grill the burgers over high heat for best flavor. If pan-frying, use a lid to help cook evenly.
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Don’t overcook! Cook only until 165°F internally to prevent dryness.
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Add a slice of pepper jack cheese on top of each patty at the end for extra melted cheese.
How To Make Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers:
Ingredients:
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1 lb ground turkey (94% lean)
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1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 jalapeño, diced
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2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
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1 egg
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Spices: salt, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper
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Worcestershire sauce
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6 hamburger buns
Toppings:
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Sliced jalapeño
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Spicy mayo
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Lettuce, tomato, avocado, etc.
Instructions:
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In a large bowl, mix together egg, onion, garlic, jalapeño, cheese, cilantro and all spices.
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Add ground turkey and mix by hand until well incorporated.
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Form into 6 patties, place on a parchment lined pan, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
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Grill burgers over high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until 165°F internally.
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Add cheese slice on top during last minute if desired.
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Serve on buns with desired toppings.
These turkey burgers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for summer! The savory spices, melted cheese, and jalapeño heat take these burgers over the top. I love serving them alongside classic BBQ sides like corn on the cob, potato salad, and watermelon slices.
Possible Turkey Burger Variations:
This juicy turkey burger recipe is so flavorful on its own, but you can easily tweak it based on whatever flavors you love most. Here are some fun ways to customize:
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Use Monterey jack instead of pepper jack for milder heat
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Add bacon crumbles for crunch
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Swap out cumin for chili powder
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Mix in diced green chiles instead of jalapeño
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Use Greek yogurt instead of egg as a binder
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Add crumbled feta or bleu cheese for tang
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Use Italian seasoning blend instead of cumin and paprika
The options are endless when making turkey burgers! Change up the cheese, spices, and mix-ins to create your dream burger.
More Delicious Turkey Burger Inspiration:
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BBQ Turkey Burgers – with sweet & tangy BBQ sauce
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Bacon Avocado Turkey Burgers – with crispy bacon bits
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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers – with sundried tomatoes and feta
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Southwestern Turkey Burgers – with corn, black beans and avocado
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Thai Turkey Burgers – with peanut sauce and Asian slaw
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Pesto Turkey Burgers – with basil pesto and mozzarella
Turkey burgers are a fantastic alternative to satisfy your burger craving while keeping things lighter. With bold flavors and inventive toppings, you won’t even miss the beef! These jalapeño turkey burgers are at the top of my summer grill list. I can’t wait for you to enjoy them as much as my friends and family do.
Let’s Talk About Ground Turkey
These are, after all, a turkey burger. BUT, you could also make them with ground chicken or even try ground beef. If you use ground beef, the flavors won’t be as strong, but they will still probably be pretty tasty.
All ground turkey is not created equal. I highly recommend staying away from the ground turkey in the plastic shrink wrapped tubes. In my unfortunate experience, the texture and consistency are very, very wrong.
I like buying ground turkey in trays, and the 85/15 blend tastes better in this recipe. You can use the 90/10 blend instead, but make sure to oil the grill grates well so the burgers don’t stick.
Burgers made with ground beef (which is a little stronger than ground turkey) are easier to work with than burgers made with ground turkey.
Lightly greasing your hands with cooking spray before forming the ground turkey into rounds can help. If the ground turkey mixture is too soft to work with, you can add bread crumbs or saltines that have been finely crushed to help hold the meat together.
If it’s just a little bit soft, persevere even if it’s a bit messy. The texture and flavor will be amazing!.
Jalapeños: flavor or spice?
Don’t let the jalapeños in the ingredients list or title scare you off. They add an incredible amount of flavor and are critical to the success of these yummy burgers. A couple of tips:
- remove the seeds and membranes for less heat
- chop the jalapeños really finely
- Even if you’re not sure, start with half of a jalapeño. Don’t leave them out completely!
Of course if you are a heat warrior, consider doubling the jalapeño and add the seeds as well.
After being grilled, we put these juicy turkey burgers on buns and top them with guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, and sometimes a few extra slices of cheddar cheese.
Even though the turkey burgers with jalapeño are already very tasty, the guacamole makes them even better.
Now is the time to make these burgers! They’ve been a family favorite for years, and so many of you already love them:
Nicole: These burgers are the tastiest turkey burgers I’ve ever had! I will be making them again because I just found this recipe about a month ago. Its definitely a go to recipe now! Thank you so much!.
Vanessa: These are the best turkey burgers we have ever made! We’ve made these many times. Our 4 and 5 year old each had seconds. All the extra ingredients give such great flavor and prevent a dry, bland turkey burger.
Feta Jalapeno Turkey Burger
How do you make turkey burger patties?
Form into 6 plump and compact patties. Each will be a heaping 1/2 cup of the turkey burger mixture. If you have a scale, each will weigh about 6 ounces. Chill. Place patties onto a lined baking pan or plate, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
Are pepper jack turkey burgers spicy?
If you’re craving big flavor, make these jalapeño pepper jack turkey burgers. These medium spicy burgers are bursting with flavor from cumin, smoked paprika, jalapeño pepper, garlic, cilantro, and pepper jack cheese and taste phenomenal hot off the grill. Turkey burgers often dry out, but these remain extra juicy and moist!
How do you cook a cold turkey burger?
Hold your hand over the skillet and when you feel the heat rising up, the skillet is hot enough. Carefully place cold turkey burgers in heated skillet and cook for 5 minutes with a lid on top. Flip burgers over and cook covered for an additional 4-5 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 165°F (74°C).
How do you make a turkey burger taste good?
Egg: 1 egg binds the ingredients together. Pepper Jack Cheese: Adding pepper jack cheese directly to the turkey burger mixture supplies flavor, moisture, and—of course—spicy cheesiness! Onion: Adds flavor and moisture. Garlic: Adds flavor. Use either pre-minced garlic or mince 2 garlic cloves yourself.
How do you eat a turkey burger?
Add a slice of pepper jack on top as the burgers finish up. Add toppings. Serve your turkey burgers on a bun with spicy mayo, spicy ranch dressing, pickles, guacamole, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cilantro, or whatever else you’re craving. You could also enjoy the turkey burger plain, on a salad, or chopped up in a wrap.
What can I add to a turkey burger?
Pepper Jack Cheese: Adding pepper jack cheese directly to the turkey burger mixture supplies flavor, moisture, and—of course—spicy cheesiness! Onion: Adds flavor and moisture. Garlic: Adds flavor. Use either pre-minced garlic or mince 2 garlic cloves yourself. Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds flavor and pairs very well with the jalapeño.