Bolbonkitchen notes

Turkey Burgers

  • Makes 4 burger patties
  • Prep 10 minutes
  • Cook 15 minutes
  • Total 1 hour 25 minutes
Turkey Burgers

If you think turkey burgers are dry and bland, it’s time to try our juicy burger recipe! We've added creamy feta and refreshing dill directly into the patties, giving it wonderful Greek flavors and plenty of moisture. Although this recipe is not authentic or common in Greece, we use ingredients like dill, feta, and oregano – which are all Greek staples. These juicy patties will make you feel like you’re on a Greek vacation, so trust us and double the recipe!

What stands out

These savory Turkey Burgers are suited to meal prep. The meat mixture can be kept in the fridge for a day or two and there are many ways to enjoy them that do not involve a burger bun. We like to eat the patties on their own or with a side of fluffy rice, tzatziki, and veggies – or on top of a Greek salad. For a low-carb option, you can sandwich the burger patties between two thick slices of tomato or even slices of grilled veggies, such as eggplant. Whichever way you choose, trust and believe these juicy versatile Turkey Burgers are so good they’ll be in constant rotation!

How to Prepare

Add the ground meat to a large mixing bowl.

Add the egg, salt to taste, oregano, black pepper, garlic, breadcrumbs, and dill. Mix well with clean hands.

Ingredients for a recipe arranged on a marble surface include minced meat, chopped garlic, parsley, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, salt, pepper, whole egg, olive oil in a bottle, and four round buns.
A metal bowl on a marble surface contains raw ground meat, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, minced garlic, spices, and beaten eggs, all separated into sections, ready to be mixed for a recipe.

Then, add the feta and mix again.

Cover the meat mixture and place it in the fridge for about 1 hour.

A metal bowl contains a mixture of ground meat with diced herbs on one side and crumbled cheese on the other, set against a white marble background.
A metal bowl containing a mixture of minced meat with visible herbs and small pieces of onion, set on a light gray marbled surface.

Remove the meat from the fridge and divide it into 4 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a patty and gently press down the middle to help them cook evenly.

Four uncooked meatballs on a white plate against a light gray marble background. The meatballs appear to be seasoned with herbs and small pieces of chopped nuts or similar ingredients.
Four uncooked burger patties made from ground meat mixed with herbs and chunks of cheese, placed on a white plate atop a light marble surface.

Preheat the barbecue to 450F (making sure to oil the grill) and cook the patties for 7 to 8 minutes on each side or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165F.

Add cooked patties to a bun with tzatziki, pickled onions and lettuce. Enjoy!

Four seasoned burger patties cooking on a black grill pan. The patties have a slightly charred texture with visible spices, and the pan has a handle facing downward. The background is a marble countertop.
A close-up of a burger on a white plate. The burger features a creamy white sauce dripping down, a patty, tomato slices, and fresh lettuce, all sandwiched in a toasted bun. The background is a blurred kitchen setting.

Kitchen tip

Covering and refrigerating the meat mixture is needed so the ingredients can bind together. Otherwise, your burger will fall apart on the grill. We leave it in the fridge for about 1 hour, but you can also prep ahead and refrigerate overnight.

Swaps

  1. Pack in some extra veggies with a generous handful of fresh chopped spinach – it goes great with the feta!
  2. Feel free to use any protein you prefer or have on hand, such as ground chicken or lamb.
  3. If you’re not firing up the grill tonight, you can always cook Turkey Burgers in the air fryer or in a skillet on the stove.
  4. This versatile recipe works well with any of your favorite herbs like dill, basil, parsley, cilantro or mint.
  5. We like to use our straightforward homemade Italian Breadcrumbs to help bind the burgers, but feel free to use store-bought breadcrumbs.

Serve it with

Questions

Can we use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, this recipe works exactly as written with ground chicken as a substitute.

Can we make the patties ahead of time!

Absolutely! You can make the patties and store them in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. They’ll also keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do we stop the patties from falling apart on the grill?

Be sure to refrigerate the mixture for at least an hour before grilling to make sure the patties hold together.

How do we make this gluten-free?

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour in the mixture, and serve on a gluten-free bun or as a lettuce wrap.

Can we cook these burgers in the air fryer?

Yes! If it’s a rainy day or you just need a quick meal, you can preheat your air fryer to 375F and cook for 12-14 minutes (or until the internal temp reaches 165F), flipping halfway through

Are these burgers good for meal prep?

You can (and should!) make a double batch of these Turkey Burgers to meal prep ahead of time! The cooked patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and only take 5 minutes to reheat in the air fryer.

Ingredients

Makes 4 burger patties

  • 1 pound ground turkey, any ground meat
  • 1 large egg, whisked
  • salt, to taste
  • ½ tablespoon dry oregano
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • handful of finely chopped dill, your favorite fresh herb
  • crumbled feta, measured with your heart
  • oil, for forming the patties and the grill

Additional Ingredients

  • burger buns, I like Brioche buns
  • toppings: mayo, ketchup, tzatziki, lettuce, onions, cheese etc.

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Mixing Bowls

Method

  1. Add the ground meat to a large bowl. Add the egg, salt to taste, oregano, black pepper, garlic, breadcrumbs, and dill. Mix well with clean hands. Add the feta and mix again.
  2. Cover the meat mixture and let it set in the fridge. This step is needed so the meat can firm up. We leave it in the fridge for about 1 hour but you can also do this overnight.
  3. When the meat has set, remove it from the fridge and divide it into 4 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc, making sure it's even all through out.
  4. Gently press down the middle of each patty (this helps them cook evenly).
  5. Preheat the barbecue to 450F (making sure to oil the grill) and cook the patties for 7 to 8 minutes on each side or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165F. We like to open and close the lid to check on them every 2 minutes.
  6. Note: You can make them in the air fryer or on the stovetop, in a pan, as well.
  7. When the burgers are done, enjoy them as-is with sides such as steamed rice, raw, grilled, or roasted veggies, salads, dips, etc. or in between a burger bun with your favorite toppings.
  8. We added tzatziki to our bun with pickled onions and lettuce but feel free to use anything you like. Enjoy!

Kitchen notes

  • Protein: Feel free to use any protein you prefer or have on hand, such as ground chicken or lamb.
  • Cooking Methods: Instead of grilling, you can always cook Turkey Burgers in the air fryer or in a skillet on the stove.
  • Herbs and Greens: This versatile recipe works well with any of your favorite herbs, like dill, basil, parsley, cilantro or mint. You can even add a handful of fresh chopped spinach to pack in some extra veggies!

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