Cooking turkey burgers on a pellet grill can yield incredibly moist delicious results when done right. But nailing the ideal temperature is key to getting the perfect texture and flavor. Undercook and you risk food safety issues. Overcook and your burgers will dry out into hockey pucks. So what’s the magic number for grilling turkey burgers on a pellet grill? Let’s break it down.
Why Temperature Control Matters
Maintaining an optimal grill temperature is crucial when cooking turkey burgers for two big reasons:
Moisture Retention – Turkey meat dries out quickly if overcooked due to its leanness Keeping the temperature regulated prevents overcooking and loss of juices inside the patties.
Food Safety – Ground turkey must reach 165°F internally to ensure any bacteria are fully eliminated Holding a steady temperature prevents undercooking.
Pellet grills allow you to dial in the exact temperature needed to achieve both food safety and moisture retention when cooking ground turkey patties. This level of precision results in the best texture and flavor possible.
Factors That Influence Temperature
Several factors go into determining the ideal turkey burger temperature on your specific pellet grill model:
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Thickness – Thicker burgers require lower heat and more time to cook through without drying out. Thinner patties can be cooked hotter and faster.
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Doneness – Lower temps around 300°F will cook burgers to 165°F internally while retaining more moisture. Temps from 350-400°F give a juicier rare or medium cook.
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Pellet Grill Model – Each brand and model maintains temps differently. Get to know your grill’s quirks through experience.
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Ambient Conditions – Wind, outdoor temperature and humidity affect temperature regulation.
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Pellet Quality – Premium pellets made from flavor wood provide more consistent heat.
Some testing with cook times and temps will be required to find the ideal method for your individual pellet grill. But once dialed in, the settings can be repeated reliably each time.
Recommended Temperature Range
Most pellet grill owners find temperatures between 375-400°F yield the best results for juicy turkey burgers that hold together on the grill. Here are some tips for nailing temps in this range:
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375-390°F – Ideal for thicker 1-inch burgers. Allows longer cook times and maximum moisture retention. Safe at 165°F.
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390-400°F – Best for thinner 3/4 inch patties. Quicker cooking while still retaining juiciness. Cooks to medium-rare.
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400-425°F – Only recommended for very thin patties to prevent drying out. Cooks fast but gives little char.
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500°F+ – Avoid high temps, which rapidly overcook and dry out lean turkey meat. Better for flare ups.
For most turkey burger recipes, keeping the grill around 400°F and using an instant read thermometer for doneness gives you the most control over proper cooking with great texture and flavor.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these steps for perfectly cooked turkey burgers off your pellet grill:
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Form Patties – 4-6 oz patties, 3/4 to 1-inch thick work best. Gently handle meat.
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Prepare the Grill – Ensure clean grates. Preheat to desired temp (400°F is ideal). Lightly oil grates.
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Season the Burgers – Coat with olive oil and add desired spices/flavors like Worcestershire.
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Sear the Patties – Place patties directly on heated grates. Sear 2-3 minutes per side.
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Flip and Cook – Flip and cook 3-5 minutes more until 165°F internal temp. Time varies by thickness.
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Add Cheese – Add slices in last 2 minutes if using cheese. Cheddar, pepper jack, bleu work well.
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Let Rest – Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
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Build Your Burger – Add favorite toppings and condiments like pickles, onions, or avocado.
Dialing in the right pellet grill temperature for turkey burgers and following these simple steps will give you incredibly moist, flavorful results every time. You’ll be a master backyard turkey burger chef in no time!
Common Turkey Burger Grilling Mistakes to Avoid
Cooking turkey burgers on a pellet grill does come with a few pitfalls to look out for. Avoid these common mistakes for better success:
Overcooking – Turkey dries out fast. Don’t grill much past 165°F internal temp or you’ll end up with hockey pucks.
Undercooking – Ensure the minimum safe temp of 165°F is reached to eliminate bacteria risks.
Uneven Cooking – Thinner edges of patties overcook easier. Create consistent thickness and diameters when forming patties.
Flipping Too Often – Only flip the burgers once during cooking to get a good sear for added flavor.
Ignoring Ambient Factors – Wind, outside temp, humidity affect your grill’s temp regulation. Adjust as needed.
Using Low-Quality Pellets – Cheap pellets burn inconsistently. Invest in premium pellets.
No Instant Read Thermometer – Don’t rely on just cook times. Use a thermometer to monitor doneness precisely.
Grilling Tips for Moist Turkey Burgers
Here are some extra pointers for boosting moisture and flavor when cooking turkey burgers on your pellet grill:
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Mix in grated apples, onions, or peppers which add natural juices.
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Use a meat injector to infuse olive oil, broth, or other liquids into patties.
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Brush burgers with olive oil or melted butter regularly during grilling.
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Target 10 minutes per side or less for thinner patties to prevent overcooking.
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Insert a smoked gouda or other flavorful cheese cube into the patty center before grilling.
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Look for ground turkey labeled 85/15 or 90/10 for added fat content and juiciness.
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After grilling, tent burgers loosely with foil and let rest 5+ minutes before serving.
In Summary
The ideal temperature for cooking moist, flavorful turkey burgers on a pellet grill ranges from 375-400°F. Monitor thickness, ambient conditions, and use an instant read thermometer to achieve perfect doneness around 165°F internal every time. Avoid overcooking by regulating grill temp and cook times carefully based on patty thickness. With the right temperature dialed in, you’ll be rewarded with the juiciest backyard turkey burgers off your pellet grill.
Apple-Mango Turkey Burgers by Jennie Lussow
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and grated
- 3 lbs ground turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ cup Major Grey’s mango chutney
- 6 hamburger buns, split
- 6 slices of provolone cheese (optional)
- 6 pieces of lettuce (optional)
- 6 slices of tomato (optional)
1. Preheat the grill for direct cooking over medium heat (350-450 degrees).
2. In a medium bowl gently combine all ingredients. Shape into six 8-oz burgers.
3. Grill the turkey burgers for 10-12 minutes over direct medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, turning once halfway through cooking.
4. Add a slice of your favorite cheese during the last minute of cooking while the burger is still on the grill.
5. Cook until the internal temperature of the burger reaches 160 degrees.
6. I like to serve these burgers on whole-grain buns with lettuce, tomato and a little bit of Dijon mustard or extra mango chutney.
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The humble turkey burger doesn’t get the same love and respect as a ground beef burger. And for good reason since eating a typical turkey burger is about as exciting as eating cardboard. White turkey meat is very lean so it dries out easily and doesn’t offer much in the way of flavor. When I grill turkey burgers I like to add some unexpected ingredients to the mix.
Grated Granny Smith apples keep the burgers moist and juicy and mango chutney adds bright flavor and subtle sweetness. Serve the burgers with your favorite cheese (I like provolone with these), lettuce, tomatoes and extra mango chutney on the side.
How to Make Turkey Burgers on a Pit Boss Smoker
FAQ
At what temperature should I cook turkey burgers in a pellet grill?
Set the grill to 375, poke a probe in, and never look at them again until they’re cooked to temp. Don’t even flip them. Usually takes 15-20 minutes.
What temperature to smoke turkey burgers?
Start up the smoker, using wood bisquettes of choice (pecan or apple works very well!). Bring the smoker up to a temperature of 250 degrees F. Place the burgers in the smoker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
What temperature should you cook burgers on a pellet grill?
- Add your preferred flavor of wood pellets to your wood pellet smoker (I recommend Hickory for burgers).
- Preheat wood pellet smoker to 425-450 degrees with the lid closed;
- Add the patties, close the lid, and let cook for 8-9 minutes;
What temperature do you grill turkey burgers?
What temperature do you grill turkey burgers? Preheat the grill to medium high heat, or about 400 degrees. The turkey burger temperature will be 165 degrees when they’re done. How long does it take to grill a turkey burger? Turkey burger grill time is roughly 10 minutes.
How long to cook turkey burgers on a pellet grill?
The best temperature to cook turkey burgers on a pellet grill is 450°F. How Long Does it Take to Cook Turkey Burgers on a Pellet Grill? If cooking turkey burgers at 450°F, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook turkey burgers on a pellet grill. If smoking at a lower temperature of 250°F, it takes 30 to 35 minutes to cook.
How to make a turkey burger on a pellet grill?
To create the perfect turkey burger on a pellet grill, it is vital that the temperature is correct and you use high-quality wood pellets to infuse your turkey patties with smoke. Choose 85/15 turkey meat. The ideal ratio of meat to fat for turkey should be 85/15.
What temperature should a pellet grill be?
Secondly, take a look at the temperature range of your pellet grill. Most pellet grills offer a temperature range between 180°F and 500°F, which covers the ideal range for cooking hamburgers. Having a wide temperature range is useful for a variety of cooking methods, from slow smoking to high-heat searing.
How to cook hamburgers on a pellet grill?
In order to achieve perfectly grilled hamburgers on your pellet grill, it is essential to determine the ideal temperature for cooking. The first step you need to take is to preheat your grill, as this allows you to start the grilling process at the precise temperature you want for cooking hamburgers.
What temperature should a burger be grilled at?
For rare burgers, grill until you reach 125°F internally. For medium-rare burgers, grill until you reach 135°F internally. For medium burgers, grill until you reach 145°F internally. For well-done burgers, grill until you reach 160°F internally. This is it: the pièce de résistance. The grand finale. The cherry on top.
Can You grill burgers on a wood pellet grill?
One of the benefits of grilling on a wood pellet grill is that you can get the wood-fired flavor on your grilled burgers. When you’re ready to sear your patties and with the grill set to the highest setting, the cooking time for the perfect burger (1 ½-inch thick patties) is about four to eight minutes per side.