Juicy Turkey Burger Cheese (Print version)
A flavorful turkey patty with melted cheese and fresh toppings for a wholesome meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Turkey Patties
01 - 1.1 lbs ground turkey (preferably thigh meat)
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
→ Assembly
11 - 4 slices cheddar cheese (or preferred cheese)
12 - 4 hamburger buns
13 - Lettuce leaves
14 - Tomato slices
15 - Red onion rings
16 - Pickles
17 - Ketchup, mayonnaise, or mustard (optional)
# How to make it:
01 - In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, onion, garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper without overworking the mixture.
02 - Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty slightly larger than the buns, as they will shrink when cooked.
03 - Preheat olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
04 - Cook patties for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until well browned and fully cooked, with an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Place a slice of cheese onto each patty during the last minute of cooking, cover the pan, and allow the cheese to melt.
06 - Toast hamburger buns if desired.
07 - Spread sauces on buns, layer with lettuce, the turkey patty with melted cheese, tomato slices, red onion rings, and pickles. Top with the remaining bun halves.
08 - Serve immediately with preferred side dishes.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- Ground turkey soaks up flavor beautifully, making these burgers taste anything but boring or dry.
- You can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes without sacrificing taste or quality.
- At 32g of protein per burger, it's the kind of meal that actually keeps you satisfied.
02 -
- Thigh meat is non-negotiable; I learned this the hard way with an overly lean burger that tasted like cardboard no matter how much seasoning I added.
- Don't skip the Worcestershire sauce, even if you think you don't like it; it's the ingredient that makes people say this tastes restaurant-quality.
03 -
- Chill the turkey mixture for 15 minutes before forming patties; this helps them hold together better and cook more evenly.
- Let the cooked burgers rest for 2 minutes under a loose tent of foil before serving so the juices redistribute throughout the patty.