These juicy and thick jalapeño turkey burgers will change your mind on turkey burgers. If youve made or had dry turkey burgers in the past, youre not alone! But these ones are different. Loaded with jalapeños, shredded red onion, cilantro and spices, these are juicy, moist and so delicious! The other secret is adding mayonnaise into the burger patties along with an egg to hold it together. Top it with some sliced cheddar cheese and avocado and get ready to fall in love. These are also perfect for prepping ahead of time, and keeping in the freezer for a quick weeknight meal too.
The ingredient list may look a little long, but the burgers come together fairly quick and only require a chill time of 30 minutes to help them stay firm and hold their shape.
Making these turkey burgers are really straightforward, but prepping ahead of time will save you time in the kitchen. Because you want to chill the patties before cooking, you can prep them up to 24 hours in advance.
First, lets make the chipotle mayonnaise. Because were using this as a topping on the burger and also using it in the turkey mixture as well.
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Place it in the fridge until ready to use.
Next, in a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with the egg and mix gently to combine with a spatula.
Form into patties, weighing 6 oz each. Use a digital kitchen scale to weigh them out if you have one. These are on the larger side. Dont press too much, just shape them and place them on a plate and cover. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.
Say goodbye to bland, dry turkey burgers and a BIG hello to these juicy jalapeño burgers with cheese! After making these, I declared these were the best ever turkey burgers Ive ever made (and eaten).
Refrigerate the turkey burger mixture: doing this helps the burgers hold together better, especially if grilling.
Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: you can shape the turkey burger patties up to 24 hours in advance.
BBQÂ the burgers:Â make sure that the BBQÂ is greased. Cook your cold turkey burgers over high heat for about five minutes, with the lid closed. Flip and cook for another five minutes, until cooked through. Add cheese slices on top during the last 30 seconds or so.
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Turkey burgers are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. Adding jalapeños takes these turkey burgers to the next level by infusing them with a kick of spice and lots of flavor. Here is the ultimate jalapeño turkey burger recipe that is easy to make full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.
Why Make Jalapeño Turkey Burgers?
There are several great reasons to make turkey burgers with jalapeños:
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Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey is much leaner than ground beef. An average 4 ounce beef burger contains around 280 calories and 18 grams of fat. A turkey burger contains only 160 calories and 3 grams of fat.
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More protein: 4 ounces of ground turkey has 25 grams of protein compared to 20 grams in beef. The extra protein keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
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Spice it up: Jalapeños add a nice hit of heat along with flavor. They contain capsaicin which has numerous health benefits such as reducing inflammation.
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Fun twist on a classic: Adding jalapeños jazzes up the usual turkey burger and makes it more exciting.
Choosing Ground Turkey
When selecting ground turkey, go for a 85/15 blend instead of a 99% fat free option. The higher fat content keeps the burgers moist and prevents them from drying out. Ground turkey thigh meat also has more moisture and flavor than breast meat.
Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the turkey before forming patties. Excess moisture can make the burgers fall apart when cooking
Jalapeño Peppers
Choose fresh jalapeño peppers for the best flavor. When cutting them, avoid touching your eyes and wear gloves to prevent burning.
One small jalapeño will provide a mild spiciness while using the whole pepper makes it extra spicy. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
Other varieties like serrano or habanero peppers can also be used instead of jalapeños.
Mixing the Jalapeño Turkey Burger
This turkey burger recipe has the perfect blend of flavors. Here are all the ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground turkey (85/15 blend)
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Mix everything together well in a bowl using your hands. Form into patties about 4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Make an indentation in the center with your thumb to prevent bulging while cooking.
Chilling the patties in the refrigerator for 30 minutes helps them hold their shape better.
Cooking Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
The best way to cook these burgers is either grilling or pan frying them.
To pan fry:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat
- Cook the patties for 5-6 minutes per side until completely cooked through. An instant read thermometer should read 160°F internally.
- Be careful not to overcook or the burgers will dry out.
To grill:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the patties for 6-7 minutes per side.
- Use a spatula to gently flip the patties halfway through.
Serving Suggestions
While these jalapeño turkey burgers are delicious on their own, they get even better with toppings and extras like:
- Burger buns – whole wheat, brioche, potato rolls, etc.
- Sliced cheese – pepper jack, cheddar, swiss
- Guacamole or avocado slices
- Lettuce, tomato, onion
- Pickles
- Bacon
- Sautéed mushrooms or onions
- Egg – fried, poached, over easy
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo
- Hot sauce
They are also fantastic served in a lettuce wrap or on top of a salad. Sweet potato fries or onion rings make amazing sides.
Make Ahead and Freezing
To get a head start, the turkey mixture can be made 1-2 days in advance and kept chilled until ready to cook. The cooked patties last 3-4 days refrigerated.
The uncooked patties can also be frozen in a single layer separated by parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock freezer bag. They will keep for 2-3 months frozen.
To cook frozen patties:
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight
- Fry or grill from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time
More Turkey Burger Inspiration
- Substitute ground chicken or a turkey-chicken blend
- Mix in feta, blue cheese, parmesan, etc.
- Add roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers
- Use Italian seasoning and pesto
- Top with an egg, bacon and avocado
- Make meatballs and serve over zucchini noodles
Jalapeño turkey burgers are quick, easy, healthier, and full of big flavors. This versatile recipe can be customized in endless ways to suit any taste. Just one bite will have you hooked on this spicy and mouthwatering turkey burger.
How to Cook Juicy Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
You can cook these jalapeño turkey burgers inside on a skillet (and finish them in the oven), my preferred method for cooking inside. Or, you can of course grill them on a BBQ.
If cooking on the stovetop, heres what to do:
- Preheat your oven.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a small splash of avocado oil.
- Once the skillet is hot, cook the turkey burgers for three to four minutes per side, until charred and browned on each side.
- Transfer them to the oven in the skillet or on a baking sheet. Cook for nine to ten minutes, until cooked through to 165â. Top with a slice of cheese during the last minute in the oven.
How to BBQ:
- Grease the BBQ with a bit of oil.
- Cook your jalapeño turkey burgers over high heat for about five minutes, with the lid closed.
- Flip and cook for another five minutes, until cooked through.
- Add cheese slices on top during the last 30 seconds.
Tips to Make Juicy and Flavourful Turkey Burgers
- Dont overwork the patties:Â once the mixture is just combined, mold into patties with your hands, but dont overwork them. They dont need to be perfectly round, just be sure to weigh them so they are all the correct weight.
- Grate the onion and garlic:Â Grating the red onion and garlic adds a little more moisture, plus it also melds into the mixture better and there arent large chunks in the patties.
- Add the mayo: the chipotle mayo adds lots of flavour, but it also adds more moisture and keeps the turkey burgers from drying out.
- Refrigerate the patties:Â this helps the patties hold together better so they wont fall apart when cooking.
- Dont overcook:Â use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers arent overcooked. Once they reach 165â they are cooked. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Less spice/heat: remove the seeds from the jalapeños before adding to the turkey burger mixture. Use less chipotles in adobo for the mayo, or skip them and just add some of the sauce from the can of chipotles.
- Spices:Â use your favourite Tex-Mex, or taco seasoning if youd like.
- Ancho Chili Powder:Â IÂ prefer the taste of ancho chili powder, but regular chili powder works too.
- No buns:Â serve it on lettuce instead
- No dairy:Â use a dairy-free cheese, or omit the cheese and use avocado for creaminess.
Best Cheddar Turkey Burger Recipe (Easy & Healthy) | SPICY Jalapeno Twist
Are pepper jack turkey burgers spicy?
If you’re craving big flavor, make these jalapeño pepper jack turkey burgers. These medium spicy burgers are bursting with flavor from cumin, smoked paprika, jalapeño pepper, garlic, cilantro, and pepper jack cheese and taste phenomenal hot off the grill. Turkey burgers often dry out, but these remain extra juicy and moist!
How do you make turkey burger patties?
Form into 6 plump and compact patties. Each will be a heaping 1/2 cup of the turkey burger mixture. If you have a scale, each will weigh about 6 ounces. Chill. Place patties onto a lined baking pan or plate, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
How do you cook a cold turkey burger?
Hold your hand over the skillet and when you feel the heat rising up, the skillet is hot enough. Carefully place cold turkey burgers in heated skillet and cook for 5 minutes with a lid on top. Flip burgers over and cook covered for an additional 4-5 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 165°F (74°C).
How do you cook turkey burgers on a grill?
Preheat the BBQ or a stovetop grill, shape the turkey mixture into 4 evenly sized burgers. Drizzle them with oil and use your hands to gently rub it evenly over the surface. When the grill is very hot, add the burgers. Grill until the bottoms are nicely marked, about 4 minutes, then flip them over and reduce the heat to medium-low.
What kind of Turkey do you use in a turkey burger?
Ground Turkey: The most important ingredient in turkey burgers is ground turkey. I usually use 94% lean ground turkey. The higher percentage of turkey, the leaner the meat and the drier the turkey burger. For best results, stick with around 94% lean. Remember, fat adds flavor, just like it does for slow cooker turkey meatballs.
How do you make a turkey burger taste good?
Egg: 1 egg binds the ingredients together. Pepper Jack Cheese: Adding pepper jack cheese directly to the turkey burger mixture supplies flavor, moisture, and—of course—spicy cheesiness! Onion: Adds flavor and moisture. Garlic: Adds flavor. Use either pre-minced garlic or mince 2 garlic cloves yourself.