So you want to fire up the grill… but maybe skip the beef-bloat this time? I get it. Sometimes you want that burger experience without feeling like you need a nap + a detox afterward. Enter: grilled turkey burgers — the lighter, leaner, and IMO (there’s 1) often more flavorful cousin of the classic cheeseburger.
But listen — turkey can be tricky. Done wrong, it’s dry. Boring. Sad. Done right — it’s juicy, smoky, loaded with flavor, and honestly? Pretty hard to beat.
Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, meal-prepping like a boss, or just looking to switch things up, here are 15 turkey burger recipes that bring major flavor — minus the guilt. And trust me, these are NOT the “meh” turkey patties you’ve had before.
1. Classic Grilled Turkey Burgers
The OG. Simple. Juicy. Reliable.
This is your starting point. The “I trust this burger with my life” option.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey (93% lean)
- Onion (finely grated)
- Garlic powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper
- Olive oil (for brushing the grill)
Step-by-Step
- Mix everything gently. Don’t overwork it — turkey is needy like that.
- Form patties, about ¾-inch thick.
- Brush with oil and grill over medium heat, 5–6 minutes per side.
- Serve on a bun (or lettuce if you’re feeling “clean girl summer”).
Why You’ll Love It
It’s juicy. It’s easy. It’s versatile. Pair it with literally any topping, and boom — dinner. 🙂
2. Greek-Style Turkey Burgers with Feta & Herbs
Basically a mezze platter in burger form.
Bright, fresh, tangy. Just the way we like it.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Crumbled feta
- Chopped spinach
- Oregano
- Garlic
- Lemon zest (yes, zest matters)
- Red onion
Steps
- Combine everything. Brace yourself — it smells amazing already.
- Grill until charred and cooked through.
- Serve with tzatziki and tomato slices.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like a vacation to Santorini… without the airfare. Also, feta inside the patty > feta on top.
3. Avocado & Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers
A spicy, creamy flavor mash-up that slaps.
Avocado keeps it juicy. Pepper jack adds kick. Tell me what’s not to love?
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Diced avocado (not mashed)
- Pepper jack cheese (shredded or diced)
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Salt, pepper, cumin
Steps
- Mix everything gently.
- Grill over medium-high heat, flip once.
- Top with more avocado if you’re extra (we all are).
Why You’ll Love It
It’s creamy, melty, spicy — basically a fiesta in burger form.
4. BBQ Bacon Turkey Burgers
For the “I love healthy food… WITH bacon” crowd.
No judgment. Bacon belongs here.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Chopped cooked turkey bacon
- BBQ sauce (mix some in, save some for brushing)
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
Steps
- Mix turkey, bacon, seasoning, and a spoon of BBQ sauce.
- Grill to perfection.
- Brush with more BBQ before finishing.
Why You’ll Love It
Smoky. Saucy. Still lighter than a beef-bacon bomb.
5. Spinach & Mozzarella Turkey Burgers
Think caprese… but grill-friendly.
Cheesy, juicy, and sneaks in veggies like a ninja.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Fresh spinach (chopped)
- Shredded mozzarella
- Basil
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper
Steps
- Mix gently.
- Grill until melty inside.
- Serve with pesto mayo (trust me).
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a salad disguised as a burger. Kind of. Just go with it.
6. Teriyaki Pineapple Turkey Burgers
Sweet + savory + grill marks = bliss.
If summer had an official burger, this would be it.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Teriyaki sauce
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green onion
- Pineapple rings (grilled)
Steps
- Mix turkey mix and form patties.
- Grill patties + pineapple slices.
- Stack on bun with extra sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s sweet, smoky, juicy — honestly, it’s flavor chaos in the best way.
7. Mediterranean Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burgers
Fancy AF, but not hard.
Rich tomato flavor + herbs = winning combo.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- Crumbled feta
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Lemon zest
Steps
- Combine & shape patties.
- Grill 5–6 min per side.
- Serve with hummus or garlic yogurt sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes like something you’d order at a café where everything costs $18. But you made it at home.
8. Buffalo Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers
Hot wings in burger form.
Yes. I said that.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Hot sauce (Frank’s, obviously)
- Celery (finely diced)
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Garlic powder
Steps
- Mix turkey with hot sauce + celery.
- Grill until done.
- Top with more hot sauce + blue cheese.
Why You’ll Love It
If you love wings, this is your soulmate burger.
9. Guacamole-Topped Southwest Turkey Burgers
Flavor-packed and messy in the best way.
Bring napkins. Lots of napkins.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Onion
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Guacamole (for topping)
Steps
- Season turkey and form patties.
- Grill over medium-high heat.
- Pile on guac. No regrets.
Why You’ll Love It
Creamy, zesty, spicy — it checks every box except “boring.”
10. Apple & Sage Turkey Burgers
Autumn energy — but honestly great year-round.
Slightly sweet. Very cozy.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Grated apple
- Fresh sage (chopped)
- Onion
- Salt & pepper
Steps
- Mix gently.
- Grill 5 minutes per side.
- Serve with Dijon or apple slaw.
Why You’ll Love It
The apple keeps it juicy. The sage makes it smell fancy. Win-win.
11. Zesty Italian Turkey Burgers
Like an Italian meatball… that went to the gym.
Tomato-y. Herb-y. Cheesy. Delicious.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Red pepper flakes
Steps
- Combine everything.
- Grill, flipping once.
- Serve with melted provolone.
Why You’ll Love It
This one’s bold. Savory. Even picky eaters approve.
12. Pesto & Provolone Turkey Burgers
Green, herby magic in every bite.
If pesto is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Prepared pesto
- Garlic
- Provolone cheese
- Black pepper
Steps
- Mix turkey with pesto & garlic.
- Grill until cooked through.
- Add provolone on top to melt.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s simple. Flavorful. And yes — you’ll lick your fingers.
13. Thai Peanut Turkey Burgers
Bold, saucy, slightly addictive.
Just go with it — the flavor is unreal.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Soy sauce
- Fresh ginger
- Green onions
- Peanut butter (yes, really)
- Sriracha
Steps
- Mix turkey with all ingredients.
- Grill 5–6 minutes per side.
- Top with cucumber slaw.
Why You’ll Love It
Peanut butter in a burger sounds weird. But it WORKS. And you’ll crave it again.
14. Mushroom & Swiss Turkey Burgers
Earthy + creamy = comfort on a bun.
Turkey + mushrooms = moist burger magic.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Garlic
- Swiss cheese
- Thyme
- Worcestershire
Steps
- Mix mushrooms into the turkey.
- Grill as usual.
- Melt Swiss on top.
Why You’ll Love It
Feels fancy, requires zero effort. My kind of recipe.
- Cilantro-Lime Turkey Burgers with Corn Salsa
The bright & fresh one.
Basically summer in burger form.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Lime zest + juice
- Cilantro
- Garlic
- Chili powder
- Corn salsa (store-bought or homemade)
Steps
- Combine turkey mix.
- Cook 6–7 minutes per side.
- Serve with corn salsa piled high.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s juicy, bright, and somehow tastes like sunshine… yes, I said it.
Final Thoughts (AKA: Time to Grill)
Here’s the thing: turkey burgers have a terrible reputation — but only if you haven’t tried the right ones. Now? You have 15 guaranteed winners. Each one brings real flavor, real personality, and real juiciness (goodbye sad rubber turkey patties).
Whether you go bold with Buffalo + blue cheese, fresh with Greek feta & herbs, or saucy with BBQ bacon — these grilled turkey burger recipes prove one thing loud and clear:
