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Home By Meal

Simple Turkey Burger Recipe

★★★★★ 64 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin3/21/21

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

Simple Turkey Burger Recipe
Simple Turkey Burger Recipe

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!

holding a turkey burger

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!

bite inside turkey burger

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
grated onion on turkey burger

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.

making turkey burgers

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!

turkey burger on bun

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).

  • Butternut Squash Chili with Turkey
  • Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
  • Easy Turkey Meatballs
  • Three Bean Turkey Chili

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis

simple turkey burger
bite inside turkey burger
★★★★★ 5 from 64 reviews

Simple Turkey Burger Recipe

Prep: 5Cook: 10Total: 15 minutes
Yield 5 burgers 1x
Print Pin it Rate

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

  1. 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.
  2. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix!
  3. Form into patties, using 1/5 of the total meat depending on size you want. They will shrink once cooked.
  4. Heat a large cast-iron 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. Cover for the next 5 minutes so the inside cooks. Repeat until all burgers are cooked.
  6. Serve with onion, tomato, buns, or over lettuce! Enjoy!
Author: ErinCategory: dinner, lunch, meal-prep, gluten-freeMethod: stovetopCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
bite inside turkey burger

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 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • Three Bean Turkey Chili
  • butternut squash chili in bowl with cheese
    Butternut Squash Chili with Turkey
  • easy turkey meatballs in a skillet
    Easy Turkey Meatballs (Gluten-free)
  • thai turkey meatballs
    Thai Turkey Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
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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. Kate says

    Posted on 1/5 at 9:08 pm

    So so good! I cooked mine in the air fryer!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/6 at 12:27 pm

      Hi Kate, so happy you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    Posted on 12/8 at 7:45 pm

    They were so easy, but so delicious and juicy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/9 at 11:24 am

      Hi Liz, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  3. Amanda m says

    Posted on 12/4 at 5:18 pm

    Simple but so good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 2:32 pm

      Hi Amanda, so happy you loved them!

      Reply
  4. Allison says

    Posted on 12/4 at 2:02 pm

    This is my go-to turkey burger recipe! Easy yet delicious. The grated onion trick is key.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Allison, so glad you loved them! 🙂

      Reply
    • Krissy says

      Posted on 1/15 at 9:50 pm

      We don’t like onions that much could I use onion powder instead?

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 1/17 at 8:48 pm

        Hi Krissy, yes of course! Let me know how your burgers came out!

  5. Pamela Burke says

    Posted on 11/28 at 7:47 pm

    I diced my onion fine, used minced garlic from the jar and added a little of its juice (maybe 1 tsp)..these were juicy, delicious and as labeled “simple”. Better than a restaurant and my husband really enjoyed this burger. ❤️

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/29 at 11:46 am

      Hi Pamela, so happy you all loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kelsey says

    Posted on 9/15 at 9:31 pm

    Totally obsessed with this recipe, I have been making it all summer and totally love it. Super easy, very flavorful with simple ingredients! Thanks for this great recipe Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/16 at 11:05 am

      Hi Kelsey, so glad you loved the burgers!!

      Reply
  7. RJ says

    Posted on 9/5 at 3:10 pm

    I screwed up something along the way. Mine fell apart and we’re non eatable on a burger roll.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/9 at 7:11 am

      Hi, oh no! So sorry that happened and hope you can make them again and just be sure to follow the recipe to a t. Good luck!!

      Reply
  8. Caitlin says

    Posted on 7/31 at 9:41 pm

    I am OBSESSED with these turkey burgers! They are so easy to make and beyond flavorful for just a few simple ingredients. I’ve been making a double batch each week for meal prep and throw them on salads. Make these, you will be addicted!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/1 at 2:01 pm

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

      Reply
  9. Meg says

    Posted on 6/8 at 9:06 am

    Been reluctant about making my own burgers for awhile, but after seeing these on her instagram stories over and over as a household staple, I knew it was worth the shot…. Incredible!!! And impossible to mess up!! I did only a 1/4 of yellow onion and used 1/2tsp minced garlic- still great flavor and still juicy! Grilled for 5 minutes each side. Will be making all summer!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/8 at 5:13 pm

      Hi Meg, so happy you loved them so much and made them your own!! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Joyce says

    Posted on 6/7 at 2:40 am

    Loved the recipe! Definitely will keep it on the rotation. One question – it was hard to form the patty bc the mixture was pretty wet. Is this normal? Tasted great once I cooked it and texture was perfect, but it was messy getting it onto the pan; not sure if that’s normal or user error. Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/10 at 8:24 pm

      Hi Joyce, yes, normal. Trick is to wet your hands before forming and make sure you are using 93/7 fat turkey! Hope that helps for next time you make 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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