HEALTHY TURKEY BURGER RECIPE (GRILLED OR STOVETOP)

This  healthy turkey burger recipe makes by far the juiciest and most delicious turkey burger you’ll ever eat. It’s so good it can turn even the most adamant beef burger eater into a turkey burger fan. It can be grilled, cooked on the stovetop, and even cooked in the oven or in the air fryer. Simple. Healthy. Yummy. Perfection.

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 Healthy Turkey Burger Recipe (Grilled Or Stovetop)

I’ll admit that I have always preferred beef burgers to turkey burgers. In an effort to add more lean protein into my family’s diet, I have been working on creating a tasty turkey burger recipe that is healthy and kid-friendly.

After some trial and error, this recipe is THE ONE. My whole family loves it, and I even prefer it to my go-to beef burger. 

My favorite way to prepare this burger is on the grill using a grill pan for easier cleanup but you can cook these on the stovetop, in the oven, or even in an air fryer. 

I love that the burger patties can be frozen uncooked then cooked directly from the freezer – no more store bought frozen burger patties!

WHY THIS HEALTHY TURKEY BURGER RECIPE WITHOUT BREADCRUMBS WORKS

• Juicy: These turkey burgers have shredded zucchini added in. The zucchini adds a ton of juiciness (along with some added nutritional value). 
• Kid-Friendly: If you have burger and fry loving kiddos, this is SUCH a great substitute that incorporates heart-friendly turkey and some extra veggies. 
• Hidden Vegetables: Any time I can sneak some extra veggies into a dish undetected, I love it! Even if your kiddos are good about eating their veggies, it’s always nice to incorporate extras where you can.
• Quick & Easy: These burgers come together quickly and are great for weeknights. 
• Healthy: Turkey is a great lean protein that is lower in fat. The zucchini stretches the recipe and incorporates additional nutrients. 
• Freezer Friendly: One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it is SO easy to double and freeze. Just freeze the patties between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer safe container. You can cook them directly from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to your cooking time. 
• Great Leftovers: These burgers taste great reheated and I like to eat them for lunch throughout the week. 

INGREDIENTS:

• Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is the star of the show here. We prefer extra lean turkey (97/3).
• Zucchini: Zucchini gets shredded into such small pieces no one will even know it’s there. You can peel the zucchini if you want to make it truly undetectable but we leave it on. The addition of zucchini makes these burgers extra juicy.
• Seasonings: Fresh garlic, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, are simple but delicious. Tip – you can substitute A1 sauce for the Worcestershire sauce and the taste will be nearly the same. 
• Buns: Choose your favorite buns – we like whole wheat – or wrap your burgers in lettuce. 
• Toppings: Go crazy with the toppings! Sharp cheddar (or cheese of choice), dijon and mayo (combined), pickles, red onion, avocado, lettuce, tomato, etc. 

HOW TO COOK THIS HEALTHY TURKEY BURGER RECIPE:

1. Shred Zucchini. I swear by a rotary shredder/grater/slicer combo. It’s affordable and a workhorse in the kitchen. 
2. Preheat grill to medium or medium low heat.
3. Mince garlic. 
4. Combine seasonings, zucchini, and ground turkey in a bowl.
5. Create 5-7 patties (depending upon your preferred size).
6. Cook on the grill using a grill pan turning halfway until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. We swear by the Yummly wireless smart thermometer which makes cooking meat SO easy. You can also cook these on the stove, in the oven, or in an air fryer. 
7. Remove from the heat.
8. Add to bun or lettuce and top with cheese and toppings of choice.

HEALTHY SIDES FOR TURKEY BURGERS

Serve these turkey burgers with your favorite healthy side dish. Here are a few great options:

• Cole slaw
• Side salad
• Sweet potato fries
• Greek pasta salad
• Macaroni salad
• Grilled veggies
• Lemon Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
• Spicy and sweet baked beans
• Loaded Smashed Potatoes

STORAGE

These turkey burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Be sure to store them in an air-tight container. 

To store in the freezer, use parchment paper to separate the individual patties and store uncooked. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. 

How Long To Cook Turkey Burgers In The Oven at 350

Turkey burgers should be cooked in the oven for approximately 20 minutes until an internal temperature of 165 degrees has been reached. Time varies based upon the thickness of the burger. To ensure proper temperature, use a meat thermometer. 

How Long To Cook Turkey Burgers On Stove

Cook thawed turkey burgers 4-5 minutes per side on medium heat until an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached. 

From frozen, you will need to add several extra minutes per side.

Time varies based upon the thickness of the burger. To ensure proper temperature, use a meat thermometer. 

How To Cook A Frozen Turkey Burger

When cooking a frozen turkey burger, you can allow it to thaw overnight and then cook according to the above directions.

If cooking directly from frozen, you will need to allow additional time on each side. Time varies based upon the thickness of the burger. To ensure proper temperature, use a meat thermometer. 

How Long To Cook Frozen Turkey Burgers In Air Fryer

You will need to air fry the turkey burgers at 375 degrees for approximately 15 minutes until the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees. Time varies based upon the thickness of the burger. To ensure proper temperature, use a meat thermometer. 

Is A Turkey Burger Healthy?

A turkey burger is a great, healthy dish full of lean protein and is low in fat. This turkey burger recipe adds extra nutrients via shredded zucchini and uses a whole wheat bun. Choose toppings wisely by adding extra veggies and healthy sauces. 

How To Know When Turkey Burgers Are Done

It can be very difficult to tell if a turkey burger is done by appearance alone. After growing tired of overcooked, dry burgers, I invested in a wireless smart thermometer. This has been SUCH a game-changer and has upleveled my cooking significantly. 

How To Grill Turkey Burgers Without Falling Apart

Turkey burgers can be a bit of a challenge to grill as they tend to fall apart. To remedy this, I utilize a grill pan with small holes that won’t allow the burgers to fall through the grates of the grill. I also handle the burgers lightly and use caution when flipping them.

You can also freeze the burgers for a short time to help them stay firm.

Some people also like to add breadcrumbs and egg to turkey burgers to help hold them together but I prefer the flavor without.

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