Description
This flavorful Turkey Burger recipe features ground turkey blended with smoky chipotle spices, cumin, and fresh cilantro, cooked to juicy perfection using your choice of stovetop, oven, or grill methods. Paired with a creamy, spicy chipotle mayo and optional fresh toppings like avocado and salsa, these burgers are a tasty, healthy alternative to classic beef burgers, perfect for a quick family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Burgers
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil (plus more for frying)
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon crushed chipotle chile pepper flakes (or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 lb ground turkey
Chipotle Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder (or more crushed chipotle chile pepper)
Optional for Serving
- Burger buns
- Salsa
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare Turkey Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together avocado oil, coconut aminos, crushed chipotle chile flakes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, chopped fresh cilantro, and sea salt until well combined. Add the ground turkey to the bowl and gently mix the ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the patties tender.
- Shape Patties: Divide the turkey mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty, making a thumbprint indentation in the center of each to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Cook on Stovetop: Heat some avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked and nicely browned. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
- Bake in Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes. Then switch the oven to broil and broil the patties for 2-3 minutes to brown the tops.
- Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Rest Patties: After cooking, transfer the patties to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes to allow the temperature to rise to 165°F (74°C) and juices to redistribute.
- Make Chipotle Mayo: While the patties are cooking, whisk together mayonnaise and chipotle chile powder (or crushed chipotle chile flakes) in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble and Serve: Serve the turkey burgers on buns spread with chipotle mayo. Top with thin avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and salsa if desired for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Do not overmix the turkey mixture to keep the burgers tender and juicy.
- The thumbprint indentation in the patties prevents the burgers from puffing up unevenly during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safety.
- Optional toppings like avocado and salsa add freshness and complement the smoky chipotle flavors.
- Cooking times may vary slightly based on thickness of patties and cooking appliance.
- Avocado oil is preferred for its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
