Turkey Burgers

I have been on the hunt for a tender and juicy recipe for Turkey Burgers. When I nailed my most recent meatball recipe, I applied some of those tactics to these burgers, and I got something amazing!

So I guess that makes this recipe doubly great. You can portion the mixture out to make patties for burgers, or make it into meatballs to toss with pasta and sauce.

Ingredients

Cheese on cheese is the name of this game with this recipe. The ricotta tenderizes the meat and helps keep it juicy. The parmesan brings lots of deep flavors. And the white cheddar is for on top for the perfect melt and tang.

From there you need some seasonings and herbs, and to cook the onion in the olive oil. The spinach and tomato are optional toppings but I think they make it a well-rounded burger. And of course, you can add mustard, ketchup, mayo, and other condiments as desired.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Method

First, place the turkey, seasonings, herbs, parmesan, ricotta, and some panko bread crumbs in a large bowl. Then cook the onion in the olive oil in a skillet on the stove just till it becomes tender, then fold it into the meat mixture.

I use a large ice cream scoop to portion out the meat mixture. Two, 2-ounce scoops make the perfect ¼-pound patty. I scoop out all the mixture, then flatten them out between my hands and lay them out on a tray. I then chill them in the freezer for about 15 minutes so I can handle them easily to get them on the grill. The patties are super tender, and getting them cold helps them not fall apart.

Then all you need to do is fire up the grill, get it really hot then turn it down to low and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side, or golden brown all around. You know they are ready to flip when they release without any effort from the grill grates.

Serve on a bun with all your favorite toppings, and melt the white cheddar on top before taking them off the grill. Chips or french fries make a great side!

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📖 Recipe

Yield: 8 patties

Turkey Burgers

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

I've been hunting for super juicy recipe for Turkey Burgers. When I nailed my meatball recipe, I applied those tactics to these burgers.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 medium Yellow Onion, small diced
• 2 pounds Ground Turkey
• 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 teaspoons fresh Oregano, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh Parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, Morton’s
• ½ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• Provolone or White Cheddar, for serving
• Baby Spinach Leaves, for serving
• Tomato Slices, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet on the stove over medium heat and add the onion to it. Cook until they are soft, 5-6 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, ricotta, parmesan, panko, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked onions to the bowl and stir everything together until well combined.
3. Portion the mixture out into 8 equal portions, they should be about 4 ounces or so each.
4. Pat the portions out into patties and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Place the sheet in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until the grill gets hot.
6. Heat an outdoor grill on high heat till HOT.
7. Place the burgers on the hot grill, then reduce the heat to medium.
8. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then if the burger moves easily, lift and turn them ¼ turn to form beautiful grill marks. Cook 2 minutes longer.
9. Flip the burger and cook 5-6 minutes longer or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160˚F.
10. Top the burgers with cheese on the grill and cook 2 minutes longer with the lid down to melt the cheese.
11. Remove the burgers to toasted buns and top with spinach and tomato. Serve with your favorite spreads like mayo, ketchup, mustard, etc.

Notes

Notes & Tips

To make things quick, start by cooking the onions first, then while you gather all the burger ingredients they can cool. You don't have to worry about them being too cool as this recipe is a Turkey Burger without eggs, so the hot onions won't cook them cause they are not there. Plus, if all the other ingredients are cold, they will cool down as soon as you mix them in.

I like to throw the patties in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before I put them on the grill. This helps them to get a little more solid and lets the breadcrumbs soak everything in helping keep the final product nice and juicy.

If you do not want to cook the patties on an outdoor grill, they can also be cooked in an air-fryer for 12-15 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165˚F is reached.

The patties can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little oil in the pan. Place the patty in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, flip and repeat until a thermometer reads 165˚F.

Substitutions

I used a yellow onion cause that is what I typically have on hand. However, you can use ANY onion you like or have on hand in this recipe.

Now, this is a Turkey Burger, but you can apply this recipe to pretty much ANY ground meat out there. Beef, chicken, pork, and so on. You can also use any of those meats and make meatballs out of the mixture too, not just burgers.

I want to say there is no sub for ricotta. But in a pinch, you could use cottage cheese, just drain off the excess water. But use ricotta as your first option.

If you can't locate panko bread crumbs, dry out some sandwich bread, 1-2 slices, and crumble it into the mixture. It is even ok if it is in semi-larger pieces.

The oregano and parsley are there for some added flavor and color. But feel free to swap them for anything you have on hand or growing in the garden.

I like Irish white cheddar on top, but the cheese on top of your burger is totally subjective. Please, use what you like. The same goes for the tomato and spinach, use lettuce if you like, or leave them off altogether.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 468Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 724mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 38g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.

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