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Home By Diet Gluten-Free

Fall Apple Turkey Burgers

★★★★★ 83 Reviews Recipe Print
gf nf
By: Erin10/1/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Apple cheddar turkey burgers
apple cheddar turkey burgers

Colder weather isn’t so bad when it means food this good. Whip up these Fall Apple Turkey Burgers for a meal that uses all of the delicious flavors of the season!

holding a cheese turkey burger

Get ready for the best turkey burger recipe ever

Regulars of the Erin Lives Whole blog know that I am all about autumn cooking, especially with recipes that involve apples or pumpkin. Usually those recipes come in the forms of pies, cookies, cupcakes, and other baked goods, but today we’re ditching the oven in favor of something a bit more filling and savory: fall apple turkey burgers.

Yep, you read that right. These turkey burgers contain shredded honey crisp (or whatever flavor you prefer) apples and are absolutely fall wrapped up into a meal. They’re warm, cozy, and full of incredible flavor in each bite!

This meal is one for keeping on rotation for guests, as it’s a seemingly impressive feat that honestly doesn’t take too much kitchen skill. Just mix your ingredients and go! It’s an easy recipe that anyone can enjoy. And trust me, anyone who dives into one of these burgers will undoubtedly enjoy it.

caramelized onions on turkey burger

Ingredients in fall apple turkey burgers

For the ingredients, we’ll be using 7 items with the option to add in cheddar cheese. There’s a separate ingredient list for the caramelized onions that uses yellow onion, avocado oil (or butter), and salt! Remember when I said this recipe was easy? Now you can see why. I like to keep things simple with as few ingredients as possible!

Burgers:

  • Ground turkey
  • Apple (I used honey crisp)
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Dried Thyme
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Optional: Cheddar Cheese

Caramelized Onions:

  • Yellow onion
  • Avocado oil (or butter)
  • Salt

And save some extra sliced apple for topping the burger!

Tools used to make this recipe

Fall apple turkey burgers couldn’t be simpler. In terms of kitchen tools, you’ll only need a large mixing bowl, a large skillet (and the accompanying lid), and a spatula.

For measuring, just grab cups to measuring out 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 tbsp.

holding a burger with a bite out of it

How to make fall apple turkey burgers

It’s actually easy to make this recipe for turkey burgers from scratch, even though we’re incorporating an ingredient as unexpected as apples. For these patties, we’ll just mix everything together and then cook them on the stove. Then, assemble and enjoy!

First, add the turkey to a bowl. Using a box grater, shred the apple and onion into the turkey meat.

Add the garlic thyme, salt, and pepper and mix everything until well combined. I use my hands to ensure that everything is well incorporated.

Next, form the mix into patties. Use about 1/2 cup meat for each.

Heat a large skillet with 2 tbsp of avocado oil over medium low. If adding cheese, you can do it now.

Cover for 5 minutes so that the inside cooks. Repeat until all of the burgers are cooked.

While the burgers are cooking, prepare the carmelied onions. In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp of avocado oil or butter.

Once hot, add the sliced onions and salt.

Cook over medium heat, stirring every minute or so until carmelized. After about 5 minutes, reduce the heat to low. The whole process will take about 10-15 minutes.

Assemble the burgers with slices of apples and caramelized onion on top.

bowl of caramelized onions

Dipping sauces to pair with turkey burgers

You know me – I’m all about delicious sauces! I often joke that the food is just a vehicle for the sauce (especially when we’re talking BBQ sauce). For these burgers, there are a number of sauces you can slather onto the buns to add great intense fall flavor!

  • BBQ sauce (duh)
  • Honey mustard
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • Dijon mustard

You can also check out recipes for sauces that use maple syrup. I have a good feeling that something like that would taste so good on these burgers. Plus, it’ll be totally autumn-worthy!

plate of apple cheddar turkey burgers

How to store fall apple turkey burgers

When it comes to storing these burgers, you can keep them in the fridge for up to one week. If you’d like to save a batch for down the road, freeze ’em for up to 3 months!

More fall-friendly entrees

Cozy up with some more of my fall favorites. All are inspired by the warm tastes of fall and use ingredients like apples, sweet potatoes, and cabbage.

  • Healthy Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Healthier Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan)
  • One Pan Cabbage and Potato Skillet
  • Healthy Apple Chicken Sausage Stuffing
cheese turkey bruger on plate
★★★★★ 4.9 from 83 reviews

Fall Apple Turkey Burgers

Colder weather isn’t so bad when it means food this good. Whip up these Fall Apple Turkey Burgers for a meal that uses all of the delicious flavors of the season!

Prep: 10Cook: 10Total: 20 minutes
Yield 10–12 burgers 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 1 large apple, I used honeycrisp
  • 1/4 yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • *optional* cheddar cheese slices

Caramelized Onions

  • 1 yellow onion, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil or butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt

More sliced apple for topping!

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, add turkey. Using a box grater, shred apple and onion into turkey meat.
  2. Add in garlic, thyme, salt and pepper and mix until well combined (I use my hands).
  3. Form into patties, I used about 1/2 cup of meat for each.
  4. Heat a large skillet with 2 tbsp avocado oil over medium heat, and once hot, add burgers.
  5. Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then turn the heat to medium low. *if adding cheese, now is the time* Cover for the next 5 minutes so the inside cooks. Repeat until all burgers are cooked.
  6. While burgers are cooking, prepare the caramelized onions. In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp avocado oil or butter.
  7. Once hot, add in sliced onions and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring every minute or so until caramelized. After about 5 minutes, reduce heat to low. The whole process will take 10-15 minutes.
  8. Assemble your burgers with slices of apples and caramelized onion on top.
  9. Enjoy!

Notes

Store in fridge for up to one week or freezer for 3 months.

Author: ErinCategory: dinner, lunch, meal-prep, gluten-freeMethod: stovetopCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
cheese turkey bruger on plate

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Hfox says

    Posted on 1/24 at 9:38 pm

    I added an egg and some breadcrumbs. Avocado on the side. Teenagers were all fans!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/25 at 9:42 am

      Hi, so glad they were a hit and you made them your own!

      Reply
  2. Kim Raynor says

    Posted on 12/11 at 1:46 pm

    Amazing burgers! I’ve been looking for a recipe that incorporates apples and found it! Thank you for putting this together.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/11 at 5:30 pm

      Hi Kim, so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  3. Kellie says

    Posted on 12/5 at 12:21 am

    Mouthwatering deliciousness! You will not be disappointed if you try this recipe. The combination of flavors is incredible!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 3:14 pm

      Hi Kellie, so happy you love them!

      Reply
  4. melissa says

    Posted on 11/13 at 10:30 am

    The apples gave a refreshing crunchy texture to the burger! Appreciate the flavor palate of this one

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/14 at 7:58 pm

      Hi Melissa, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  5. Sarah Beth says

    Posted on 10/31 at 4:37 pm

    Okay hear me out on this one… adding apple butter to the top. WOW. Great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/31 at 7:29 pm

      Hi Sarah, sounds like a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  6. Jessica Thompson says

    Posted on 10/30 at 1:09 pm

    Made these for my family on a chilly fall night and we couldn’t believe how delicious they were. I put a little Dijon on the bottom bun then followed the recipe as written and was shocked at how juicy the patties were (especially considering it’s a chicken burger)! Served it with some sweet potato fries from the freezer section and a dipping sauce of mayo with minced bacon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup – all the flavors of fall that we crave towards the end the hot California summers.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Jessica Thompson says

      Posted on 10/30 at 1:10 pm

      Oh, and we melted sharp cheddar cheese on the patties – yummy!!!

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 10/30 at 2:04 pm

        YUM!!

    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/30 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Jessica, so so happy everyone loved them and that all sounds great! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Megan M says

    Posted on 10/19 at 10:19 am

    These are one of my favorite recipes to make for Fall! My boyfriend RAVED about these and has already asked for these to be added to the meal rotation! The apple and onion are great flavors and we topped with unexpected cheddar from trader joes!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/19 at 3:37 pm

      Hi Megan, so glad you both loved them so much! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Michele C says

    Posted on 10/10 at 8:55 pm

    I wouldn’t have thought of putting apples into a burger. It was so moist and juicy that I didn’t even use any added sauces. I wanted to savor the tastes of the apple and onion. I used American cheese because that is what I had on hand. I do think the cheddar would have added some more zing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/12 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Michele, so happy you liked them!

      Reply
  9. Michele C says

    Posted on 10/10 at 8:54 pm

    I wouldn’t have thought of putting apples into a burger. It was so moist and juicy that I didn’t even use any added sauces. I wanted to savor the tastes of the apple and onion. I used American cheese because that is what I had on hand. I do think the cheddar would have added some more zing. Delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/12 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Michele, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  10. Michele C says

    Posted on 10/10 at 8:52 pm

    This burger was delish! I would
    Never have thought of putting apples into a burger. It was so moist and juicy that I didn’t even use any asses sauces. I wanted to savor the tastes of the apple and onion. I used American cheese because that use hat I had, I think the cheddar would have added some more zing.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/12 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Michele, so glad you loved them with the apple and hope you can try cheddar next time!!

      Reply
  11. Melinda says

    Posted on 10/9 at 7:21 pm

    Horrible to moist, need to ring out apple and onion juice, did not have burger consistently

    ★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/10 at 8:24 pm

      Hi Melinda, I’m sorry that you did not like the recipe! I’ve heard tons of good things about this one, bummed it didn’t work out for you. Did you make it to a T?

      Reply
  12. Jenny sapp says

    Posted on 9/15 at 10:59 pm

    Nothing ever bad to say about Erin’s recipes but this one takes the cake. You don’t even need sauce for these they are that good. Highly recommend!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/16 at 11:05 am

      Hi Jenny, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Lucy says

    Posted on 5/20 at 6:45 pm

    Best turkey burger ever! Tasty, juicy, and didn’t even need a drop of ketchup or bbq sauce because they were that good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/22 at 3:32 pm

      Hi Lucy, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Abigail says

    Posted on 10/31 at 8:21 pm

    These burgers really are the best. If you’re questioning making them, do it! A few different steps, but they overall come together quite easily.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/1 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Abigail, I am so glad you loved them!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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