Cooking turkey burgers on a pellet grill can yield incredibly juicy, flavorful results when you use the right temperature. With turkey’s lean nature, nailing the ideal heat is key to avoiding dry patties. Follow these pellet grilling tips for turkey burgers with unbeatable texture and taste.
Benefits of Pellet Grills for Turkey Burgers
Pellet grills offer benefits over traditional grilling when cooking turkey burgers
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Precise temperature control prevents overcooking.
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Wood pellet smoke infuses burgers with flavor.
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Large capacity allows cooking multiple patties at once,
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Usage versatility like ability to smoke, roast, bake.
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Intense searing from direct grilling option.
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Convenience features like auto ignition and temperature probes.
Finding the Sweet Spot – 250°F
For turkey burgers, maintain the pellet grill around 250°F with light smoke. This slower cooking method allows the patties to gradually come up to temperature without drying out. It also gives more time for thin smoke to permeate the meat.
At 250°F, turkey burger patties 1 inch thick will take approximately:
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15-20 minutes direct on the grates
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20-25 minutes using a smoker box setup
Use a digital meat thermometer to check doneness, removing around 160°F internal temperature.
Pitfalls of High Heat
It’s tempting to crank the pellet grill over 400°F for a fast sear. But high heat risks overcooking the inside before the outside browns. The meat dries out quickly without giving smoke flavor time to develop.
If using higher heat, watch closely with a thermometer and finish burgers once they surpass 155°F. Don’t exceed 400°F.
Maximizing Juiciness
Follow these tips for outrageously juicy turkey burgers from the pellet grill:
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Mix in cold butter or olive oil into the ground turkey before grilling.
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Don’t press burgers down with the spatula while cooking.
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Allow burgers to rest 5 minutes before serving.
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Melt cheese on patties at end to boost juiciness.
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Use a liberal brushing of barbecue sauce near finish.
Infusing Big Flavor
One benefit of pellet grills is you can add flavors in various ways:
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Use flavorful wood pellets like hickory, apple, mesquite.
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Coat patties with dry rub before grilling.
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Mix fresh herbs and spices right into the turkey meat.
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Brush on sauce during last few minutes of grilling.
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Top with caramelized onions for sweetness.
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Melt flavorful cheeses like blue cheese or pepper jack.
Safety First
Always use a food thermometer with ground turkey, cooking until 165°F minimum internal temperature. If unsure, it’s better to err on the side of slightly overdone versus undercooked when dealing with poultry.
Added Versatility of Pellet Grills
Beyond traditional burgers, pellet grills allow loads of versatility with turkey:
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Smoke whole turkey breasts low and slow.
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Roast bone-in turkey pieces to perfection.
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Grill kebabs interspersed with veggies.
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Bake turkey meatloaf for sandwiches.
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Smoke turkey wings for hearty appetizers.
A pellet grill offers exceptional control and flavor when cooking turkey burgers or any turkey recipe. Dialing in the ideal temperature is the key to unlocking incredibly moist, savory results every time.
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The humble turkey burger doesn’t get the same love and respect as a ground beef burger. And for good reason since eating a typical turkey burger is about as exciting as eating cardboard. White turkey meat is very lean so it dries out easily and doesn’t offer much in the way of flavor. When I grill turkey burgers I like to add some unexpected ingredients to the mix.
Grated Granny Smith apples keep the burgers moist and juicy and mango chutney adds bright flavor and subtle sweetness. Serve the burgers with your favorite cheese (I like provolone with these), lettuce, tomatoes and extra mango chutney on the side.
Apple-Mango Turkey Burgers by Jennie Lussow
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and grated
- 3 lbs ground turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ cup Major Grey’s mango chutney
- 6 hamburger buns, split
- 6 slices of provolone cheese (optional)
- 6 pieces of lettuce (optional)
- 6 slices of tomato (optional)
1. Preheat the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350-450 degrees).
2. In a medium bowl gently combine all ingredients. Shape into six 8-oz burgers.
3. Grill the turkey burgers for 10-12 minutes over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, turning once halfway through cooking.
4. Add a slice of your favorite cheese during the last minute of cooking while the burger is still on the grill.
5. Cook until the internal temperature of the burger reaches 160 degrees.
6. I like to serve these burgers on whole-grain buns with lettuce, tomato and a little bit of Dijon mustard or extra mango chutney.
How to Make Turkey Burgers on a Pit Boss Smoker
FAQ
At what temperature should I cook turkey burgers in a pellet grill?
Set the grill to 375, poke a probe in, and never look at them again until they’re cooked to temp. Don’t even flip them. Usually takes 15-20 minutes.
What temperature to smoke turkey burgers?
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Temperature range:225°F to 300°F can also work depending on your desired cook time and smoke intensity.
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Internal temperature:Always cook turkey burgers to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
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Wood chips:Consider using apple or pecan wood chips for a complementary flavor with turkey.
What temperature should you cook burgers on a pellet grill?
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High heat for a good sear:Burgers benefit from a high cooking temperature to get a nice crust on the outside.
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Monitor internal temperature:Regardless of the grill temperature, always cook burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F for medium-well.
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Consider pellet type:Choose wood pellets that complement your burger toppings, like apple or hickory.
What temperature do you grill turkey burgers?
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Grill heat:Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 350°F to 425°F).
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Patty composition:Consider adding ingredients like breadcrumbs, egg, or Worcestershire sauce to help retain moisture in the turkey burger.
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Don’t overcook:Since turkey can dry out easily, cook only until the desired internal temperature is reached.
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Resting:After grilling, let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.