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Enjoy this Simple Turkey Burger Recipe for a quick and easy meal that can be customized with your favorite toppings. Only 5 minutes of prep time needed!
Your new favorite go-to dinner
What’s for dinner tonight? If you’re still undecided, I’m about to choose for you with this simple turkey burger recipe. These easy but perfectly seasoned burgers are absolutely delicious atop fluffy sesame buns and garnished with your favorite burger add-ons!
With only 5 minutes of prep time, this is the perfect mid-week meal for enjoying after a long work day. However, it’s also fun and tasty on a relaxed weekend evening, and perfect for serving to friends or guests!
Turkey burgers hit the spot basically hit the spot no matter the occasion. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients in easy homemade turkey burgers
Easy ground turkey burgers start with just that – ground turkey – before jumping into the spices and mixed-in onion (which is a huge component fo the great flavor!).
- Ground turkey: First up, begin with 1 lb of ground turkey.
- Garlic: Our first flavoring will be 2 cloves of minced garlic.
- Onion: Then, 1/2 of a yellow onion will be used to add flavor, texture, and even juiciness.
- Oregano: Continue the spice lineup with 1 tsp of dried oregano.
- Salt & Pepper: Finally, include 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper (each).
Tools needed to create this recipe
When I say this is an easy turkey burger recipe, I mean it! The simplicity extends to the tools that are required. You’ll need only 4 main items to make this dish, along with 2 measuring cups!
- Large mixing bowl
- Box grater
- Stirring utensil
- Cast iron skillet
- Measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp
How to make simple turkey burgers
5 minutes is all it takes to prep these delicious burgers. Can you believe it?! Just mix, shape, and sear. Total cook time for the patties is about 10 minutes, which means dinner is served in only 15!
First, combine the turkey and garlic in a bowl.
Next comes a key step — use a box grater and grate the onion over the bowl, letting it fall directly into the turkey and garlic mixture. This method creates juicer burgers because all of the onion juice goes into the mix.
Add the oregano, salt, and pepper. Use you hands to mix everything together.
Next, form the mix into patties, using 1/5 of the meat for each one. You can use more or less if you prefer different sized patties, noting that they will shrink when cooked.
Heat 2 tbsp of avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the burgers.
Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and then turn the heat to medium-low. Cover for 5 minutes to let the inside cook. Repeat until all of the burgers are cooked.
Finally, serve with onion, tomato, buns, or over lettuce.
Easy turkey burger toppings
How do you like to serve up your burgers? I keep it simple with onion, tomato, and my favorite fluffy buns.
Additional options include thick cheddar or pepper jack cheese, pickles (of course!), avocado, and even bacon!
Carb-free option: Serve your burger totally carb-free by enjoying it on a lettuce “bun” with the previously mentioned onion, lettuce, and pickles. Add a little bit of your favorite sauce, and enjoy!
Turkey vs. beef
There are loads of benefits to choosing turkey burgers, one of which is the amazing flavor! But, the benefits also extend into the health realm, as turkey burgers are notoriously more nutritious than standard beef burgers.
For starters, turkey is a much leaner protein and contains less saturated fat. This right away makes it ideal when looking for the healthiest option. It’s also lower calorie and does a great job of keeping you fuller for longer!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Now that you know why turkey rules, here are some more yummy meals that feature it as the main protein! Try the chili — it’s definitely a top favorite (I’d even say it’s just as good as simple turkey burgers).
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis
Simple Turkey Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine turkey, garlic, and use a grater to shred onion into burger. This is a key step for creating juicy burgers. I use a box grater and finely grate the onion over the meat so all the juice goes in.
- Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix!
- Form into patties, using 1/5 of the total meat depending on size you want. They will shrink once cooked.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet with 2 tbsp avocado oil over medium heat, and once hot, add burgers.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then turn the heat to medium low. Cover for the next 5 minutes so the inside cooks. Repeat until all burgers are cooked.
- Serve with onion, tomato, buns, or over lettuce! Enjoy!
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Traci Chapman says
These are sooooo tasty! I always double the recipe for leftovers and my kids like them too!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Traci, so happy you all loved them!!
Brittany says
So simple and so delicious. This recipe is a staple in my dinner rotation!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Brittany, so happy you loved them!!
Sheila Turner says
Made these last night and they are delicious! Doubled the recipe to have quick lunches during the week. Thanks Erin as always! 😍
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sheila, so happy you loved them!!
kristina philipp says
Great recipe. I sometimes add grated zucchini to the mix. It is filling, and the kids don’t know they are eating a green (yuk) vegetable.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kristina, so glad you loved them and great idea!!
Ally says
Quick. East. Delicious. A win all around
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ally, so glad you loved them!
Jeezy says
THESE SLAP EVERY SINGLE TIME. THANK U FOR THE SIMPLICITY ERIN
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi! SO glad you loved them!! 🙂
Barbara says
Have you (or anyone) substituted the turkey for ground chicken keeping the rest of the recipe the same? Love the turkey burgers but have a package of ground chicken I need to use. Thank you
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Barbara, I haven’t but that will probably work. Just may need to adjust your cooking time. Let me know if you try it and how they come out!!
Megan S says
I’ve never made homemade turkey burgers until trying this recipe. Let me just say I will NOT be buying store bought burgers ever again!! SO good. Thanks, Erin! Can’t wait to try the apple/ fall variation. We had ours on Dave’s killer bread buns and it was heavenly!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
Kayla says
Grating the onion is genius! Juiciest, yummiest turkey burgers ever. AND they are Whole30 approved (sans bun), so they will be on my weekly rotation for the month. Thank you, Erin! 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kayla, so happy you enjoyed them!!
Emma says
10/10. Super simple and so juicy and delicious.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you loved them!!
Missy says
Made them for the second time tonight and had to post a review because they are a hit in my household, again! So tasty, simple, the spices are just perfect.
Erin says
Hi Missy, so happy everyone loved it! 🙂
Sarah says
The shredded onion is a game changer!!! My bf’s favorite food is cheeseburgers, but I’ve got him on board with turkey burgers with this recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you both loved them!!
Ali Hudson says
I am not a fan of Turkey burgers but ELW has never done me wrong and OH MY GOSH are these amazing!!! Even my husband loves them! Can’t wait to share with my friends and family xoxo
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ali, I am so so happy you both loved them!! 🙂
Barbara says
I made these for my son who loves turkey. Me, on the other hand, not so much. However, when cooking them they smelled fantastic. My son said they were awesome and with the aioli on them were great. After checking several recipes I chose this because of the fewer ingredients and what I had on hand. The only thing I added was a sprinkle of red pepper flakes that I saw in another recipe to give it a little kick. I will be making more soon. Thank you for a great recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Barbara, so happy he loved them so much and you made them your own! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Carol says
Hi Erin, I have seen you make these on your IG stories so many times and I finally made them tonight-so delicious!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Carol, I am so glad you enjoyed them and thank you for your support! 🙂
Ronni says
Omg these burgers are my FAVORITE lunch prep ever!! Do not skip the grated onion, it makes it so so perfect and juicy 😍😍
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ronni, so happy you loved them!!
Emily says
I love these, definitely a staple in our house!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emily, so glad you loved them!!
Julie says
These are amazing! Made tonight and they were a big hit. Thanks!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Julie, so glad you loved the burgers!!
Alli says
So easy and delicious! Will definitely make these again.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alli, so glad you loved them!