Main Courses

Juicy Turkey Burgers

The key to a juicy turkey burger is to avoid overcooking it. 5 minutes per side on a medium heat will give you the perfect turkey burger every time - no more dry burgers! But my favorite part of my turkey burgers is the sauce that I make for them. If you like In-N-Out’s special sauce then you will really enjoy my burger sauce! Who doesn’t love a burger with special sauce!

Jump to Recipe
Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min
Serves
2

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground turkey, egg, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, bread crumbs, soy sauce, and salt & pepper. Form into 2 round patties.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5 minutes per side. Top with cheese and cover to melt.
  3. Toast the brioche buns in the oven to warm through.
  4. Add your toppings — grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
  5. To make the sauce, whisk together the mayo, ketchup, cornichons, Dijon, white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt & pepper in a medium bowl. Smother your burger with the sauce!

Tips for Success

  • Handle the turkey mixture gently when forming the patties. Overworking ground turkey makes for a dense, tough burger, so mix and shape it just until it holds together.
  • Press a shallow dimple into the center of each patty with your thumb before it hits the pan. Turkey burgers puff up in the middle as they cook, and that dimple keeps them sitting flat on the bun instead of turning into a dome.

Storage & Serving

  • Best assembled and eaten fresh, right after the cheese melts.
  • Cooked patties keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days — store the sauce separately.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven rather than the microwave, which can dry ground turkey out further.
  • Raw formed patties also freeze well for up to 2 months. Freeze in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag, and thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken works as a 1:1 swap here with the same cook time.

How do I know when the turkey burgers are fully cooked?

Look for an internal temperature of 165°F. Ground turkey needs to be cooked all the way through, unlike beef, so don't pull it early even if the outside looks done.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes — it keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, so it's worth making a batch to have on hand for more than just this recipe.

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About Taylor

Hi, I'm Taylor — a recipe developer and food stylist based in Southern California. I test every recipe on this site in my own kitchen until it's genuinely worth making again, and I share the process along the way on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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