Want an easy turkey burger recipe that you can bake at home? This kid-friendly baked turkey burger is full of flavor from lean ground turkey, parmesan cheese, and chopped spinach for extra nutrition. It’s also gluten-free.
Baked turkey burgers are an overall great kid-approved dinner meal. Served with a bun and garnished with burger toppings, kids love taking a bite into a juicy burger.
You can make beef burgers by replacing the ground turkey with ground beef. You could also try our Cheese Stuffed Burgers, which are also very tasty.
You’ll love baking turkey burgers in the oven because you don’t have to flip them like you do on a grill or stove. Just shape the patties into patties and put them on a baking sheet. The oven will do the rest. You’ll be glad to know that cooking turkey burgers in the oven only takes 20 minutes!
An extra bonus? Line the baking pan with tin foil. Then you just need to toss the foil afterward and put the pan away – no mess!.
First, get the ingredients and tools you need. Then, read the directions or use the printable recipe card below to get started.
Turkey burgers are a delicious, healthier alternative to beef burgers that can be conveniently cooked in the oven. However, achieving the perfect doneness when oven-cooking turkey burgers requires some expertise. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through how long to cook turkey burgers in the oven and provide tips for ensuring moist, flavorful results.
Factors that Affect Turkey Burger Oven Cook Times
Several factors impact how long turkey burgers take to cook in the oven
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Size and thickness – Thicker or larger patties require longer cook times. A general rule is 6-8 minutes per 1⁄2 inch thickness.
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Fat content – Lean turkey patties cook faster than higher fat versions. Look for 85% lean or 90% lean ground turkey.
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Preparation – Properly shaped, seasoned patties with an indentation in the middle cook more evenly.
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Oven temperature – The standard oven temp for turkey burgers is 375°F. Higher temps cook faster but may dry them out.
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Doneness preference – Cook 5-10 minutes less for burgers you prefer more pink in the middle
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Cooking method – Direct contact with oven racks cooks burgers faster than using a baking sheet.
Recommended Oven Cook Times
For 4-ounce turkey patties that are 1⁄2 inch thick:
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375°F oven: About 15-20 minutes
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400°F oven: 10-15 minutes
For 1⁄4 pound turkey patties that are 3⁄4 inch thick:
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375°F oven: 18-22 minutes
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400°F oven: 14-18 minutes
For 6-ounce turkey patties that are 1 inch thick:
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375°F oven: 22-28 minutes
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400°F oven: 16-22 minutes
How to Tell When Turkey Burgers are Done
Relying solely on cook times can lead to under or overcooked burgers. Use these visual and temperature cues:
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165°F internal temperature – Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part. This guarantees safety and proper doneness.
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Light brown exterior – Turkey burgers are done when the outside turns light brown.
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Slight resistance when pressed – A done turkey burger will be firm but still tender.
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Clear juices – Cut into a burger and check that the juices run clear, not pink.
Seasoning and Cooking Tips
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Generously season patties with herbs, spices, Worcestershire, etc. Lean turkey benefits from added flavor.
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Don’t overwork the meat when shaping patties to prevent dense, dry burgers.
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Make an indentation in the center of patties to prevent bulging as they cook.
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Brush patties with oil or melted butter before cooking for enhanced browning and moisture.
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Use a meat thermometer and adjust oven time accordingly for perfectly cooked results every time.
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Let burgers rest 5 minutes after cooking for juicier texture.
Common Turkey Burger Oven Cooking Mistakes
Avoid these errors for better oven-baked turkey burgers:
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Incorrect shape – Irregularly shaped patties cook unevenly. Uniform thickness and a flat top help.
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Insufficient seasoning – Lack of flavoring makes for a bland burger. Generously season before cooking.
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Baking sheet overcrowding – Leave space between patties on the pan for proper heat circulation.
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Not preheating oven – Always preheat so the oven is at the proper temp when burgers go in.
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Inadequate cooking time – Ensure the minimum recommend time for thickness. Check temp.
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No resting time – Letting burgers rest locks in juices. Skipping this makes them dry.
Cooking Frozen Turkey Burgers
For cooking frozen turkey burgers in the oven:
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Add 5-10 minutes to the cook time.
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Use a 400°F oven for quicker thawing and browning.
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Preheat oven fully before putting frozen patties on a baking sheet.
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Space burgers apart so they can heat evenly as they thaw.
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Check temperature and adjust time to ensure 165°F internal temp.
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Let rest 5+ minutes before serving for juicier results.
Troubleshooting Overcooked Oven Turkey Burgers
If your turkey burgers turn out overcooked and dry:
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Wrap in foil and let rest 10+ minutes to redistribute juices.
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Mix in a sauce like barbecue, ranch, A1, etc. to add moisture.
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Chop up the burger and use it as filler for dishes like tacos, pasta, etc.
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Crumble over a salad for added substance and protein.
Delicious Turkey Burger Oven Cooking Tips
Cooking turkey burgers in the oven at the right temp for the proper time results in juicy, flavorful burgers the whole family will love. Follow this guide for tips on oven preparation, recommended cook times, determining doneness, and troubleshooting. With the expertise offered here, you’ll be enjoying perfectly cooked oven turkey burgers in no time!
How To Make Baked Turkey Burgers In Oven
Before you start, heat your oven to 400°F and line your baking pan with tin foil to make cleanup easier. This simple step will save you time and effort later.
Now, it’s time to combine the delicious ingredients for your turkey burgers. Two large eggs, three tablespoons of gluten-free bread crumbs, one pound of lean ground turkey, one tablespoon of pickle relish, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, half a teaspoon of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper should all be mixed together in a medium-sized bowl. Don’t forget to add 1/4 cup of finely chopped spinach to enhance both flavor and nutritional value. With your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined.
Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to shape the turkey patties. Using your hands, divide the meat into four equal portions and form them into patties. Make sure to slightly push the middle of each patty in so they don’t get too swollen as they cook. Place the formed patties onto the prepared baking pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
Now, it’s time to bake the turkey burgers. Put them in an oven that is already hot and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which is safe. This ensures that the burgers are thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.
Serve the hot turkey burgers on buns and top them with your favorite garnishes. Whether it’s fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, or any other toppings you love, let your creativity shine.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Variations on the Seasonings: You can change the seasonings to your liking. For extra flavor, you can add herbs like oregano or basil. For some heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use Fresh Spinach: For better taste and texture, use fresh spinach. Make sure it’s chopped up small enough to mix well with the burger mix.
- Don’t Overmix: When you mix the ingredients together, do it just until everything is combined. Too much mixing can make the burgers tough, so be careful when you mix the ingredients.
- Bun Choice: Pick the buns that you like best—whole wheat, brioche, or gluten-free, depending on your dietary needs. For a low-carb option, you could also use lettuce wraps or portobello mushroom caps.
- Add a slice of your favorite cheese to the turkey burgers in the last few minutes of baking for a melty, gooey topping.
- Toppings for Burgers: To make the taste better, try adding avocado slices, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or bacon.
- Condiments: Let customers make their own burgers by giving them a choice of condiments, such as BBQ sauce, aioli, or hot sauce.
- Make Extra Patties: If you’re going to the trouble of making the burger mix, you might want to make extra patties and freeze them for later use. Just use parchment paper to keep them from sticking together and store them in a container that won’t let air in.
- You can bake these turkey burgers according to the recipe, but you can also cook them on a grill or in a grill pan on the stove for a different taste. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Bake ground turkey burgers for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the patty reaches 165°F.
Mix the listed seasonings with the ground turkey prior to forming the burger patties. Other options include seasoning with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
Yes, you can! Mix the burger ingredients together, make patties, and then put them on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Cover the entire baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerator the day before.
Before cooking, freeze the patties by shaping them and then stacking them with parchment paper in between each one. Place the stack in a freezer bag then in the freezer for up to 3 months. If baking from frozen, add more time until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, or let it thaw the night before and bake for 20 minutes.
Allow the turkey burgers to cool to room temperature, then wrap each one in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to store them. Alternatively, place them in an airtight container, separating each patty with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
If you want to keep them for a longer period, freezing is an option. Place the wrapped or containerized patties in the freezer, where they can be stored for 1-2 months.
You can either let them thaw overnight in the fridge or cook them straight from frozen, but this will take a few more minutes. This way, you can enjoy your homemade turkey burgers whenever you like with minimal effort.
How To Make Turkey Burgers in the Oven
FAQ
How long to bake turkey burgers at 400 degrees?
How long do you cook burgers in the oven at 350?
How long does ground turkey take in the oven?