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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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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Erin Chang says

    Posted on 10/21 at 7:57 pm

    Loved these! I added apple in with the caramelized onion and that was the perfect addition!! My husband is eating a second burger as we speak!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/22 at 11:55 am

      Hi Erin, so glad you both loved them!! Great addition!

      Reply
  2. Joanna Schindler says

    Posted on 10/19 at 7:38 pm

    Delicious and easy. One of my favorites

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/20 at 8:16 pm

      Hi Joanna, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  3. Erika says

    Posted on 10/18 at 5:30 pm

    Super yum, and very easy to make. I would add another flavor or spice to make it more flavorful.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Erika, so glad you liked them!

      Reply
  4. Rachel says

    Posted on 10/17 at 8:08 pm

    Best Turkey burgers I’ve ever had!!! I halved the recipe, but will definitely make the whole one next time.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:16 pm

      Hi Rachel, so glad you loved them and great idea!

      Reply
  5. Carolyn says

    Posted on 10/17 at 3:13 pm

    So yummy and moist! We loved these.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:08 pm

      Hi Carolyn, so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  6. Gemma says

    Posted on 10/17 at 12:41 pm

    One of my families favorite burgers!! This is such an easy, healthy and our go to! We even make it in our air frier! Try it, you won’t be sorry!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:00 pm

      Hi Gemma, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  7. Nicole S. says

    Posted on 10/17 at 12:13 pm

    A fall staple in our house now. Seriously the flavors are AMAZING! We’ve been making it weekly since fall began & I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of it. MAKE THIS!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 5:54 pm

      Hi Nicole, so happy you love the burgers! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Chelsie Makus says

    Posted on 10/9 at 11:53 am

    I was just curious if I can mix the burger ingredients together and put in a Ziploc bag in fridge overnight to cook the next day for supper? I usually don’t have a lot of time so looking for ideas to make this quickly!! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/11 at 1:11 pm

      Hi Chelsie, yes that should be fine! Let me know how they come out!

      Reply
  9. Amanda says

    Posted on 10/4 at 7:32 pm

    I’ve been searching for a turkey burger recipe that I can say I love and I have found it! This was better than any turkey burger I’ve made or eaten in a restaurant, hands down. I added a little spicy honey mustard and paired with sweet potato fries. Awesome! This is definitely a keeper!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/6 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Amanda, so glad you loved the burgers!!

      Reply
  10. Amanda says

    Posted on 10/4 at 7:28 pm

    I have been searching for a turkey burger recipe that I can say I love and I have to say my search has ended! This was better than any turkey burger I’ve made or ate in a restaurant. Added some spicy honey mustard and paired with sweet potato fries. Awesome! This is a keeper!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/6 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Amanda, so happy you loved them and yum great additions!!

      Reply
  11. Megan says

    Posted on 10/2 at 11:06 am

    This is easier than it looks and soo good! Is great for a group or family! The apple gives it great flavor and the caramelized onions are a great addition too! Thanks Erin!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/4 at 3:45 pm

      Hi Megan, so glad you loved the burgers!!

      Reply
  12. Steph says

    Posted on 9/12 at 7:07 pm

    The flavors really complimented each other, and the burgers were super juicy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/13 at 9:03 pm

      Hi Steph, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  13. Jen says

    Posted on 7/12 at 6:46 pm

    I made these in the spring because I had some apple lying around. Shredding an apple in a turkey burger gives it SO MUCH FLAVOR. These are my new go-to for all of the seasons haha.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/13 at 8:03 pm

      Hi Jen, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  14. Veronica says

    Posted on 6/24 at 3:32 pm

    Decided to make these turkey burgers for lunch and they are amazing! I can’t believe how juicy they are. I was too hungry to make the caramelized onions and apple slices, so I just threw the patty on a bun with some condiments and it was still SO good. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow with the toppings!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/27 at 8:05 pm

      Hi Veronica, I am so glad you loved them! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Lexy says

    Posted on 6/13 at 5:01 pm

    This recipe is so good that my roommate make it year round. I don’t think I can ever make another Turkey burger!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/14 at 2:13 pm

      Hi Lexy, so glad you both loved them!

      Reply
  16. Caty says

    Posted on 4/27 at 11:13 am

    These were so good! Loveddddd the shredded apple in the turkey burgers. Great recipe for fall!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/27 at 2:46 pm

      Hi Caty, I am thrilled you loved the burgers!!

      Reply
  17. Casey says

    Posted on 4/11 at 6:17 pm

    My roommate and I made these for our boyfriends and they loved them! Then my mom made them for my dad and brother and they loved them too. They’re different than any other burger I’ve had, but they’re so so good, easy to make, and fan favorite.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 6:49 pm

      Hi Casey, so happy they were a hit all around!!

      Reply
  18. Katie says

    Posted on 3/25 at 6:47 pm

    Fall, Shmall- go make these right now! Wow. So so yummy. I cooked exactly as directed, topped with caramelized onions, no bun. Served them with a side of sweet potato fries. This will now be in the regular rotation- the whole family approved!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/25 at 10:41 pm

      Hi Katie, so happy you loved them!! I agree you can enjoy them all year round!

      Reply
  19. morgan says

    Posted on 3/11 at 7:11 pm

    super moist!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/12 at 12:48 am

      Hi Morgan, so glad you liked it!!

      Reply
  20. Rylee says

    Posted on 3/8 at 11:32 pm

    This recipe is SO good!! I am new to cooking but these were so easy to make and definitely worth it. Will for sure be making again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/10 at 12:07 am

      Hi Rylee, I am so glad you enjoyed them and hope you love learning to cook more!

      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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