Turkey burgers are a fantastic alternative to beef when a healthier option is in order. They are lower in fat and calories and are still packed with protein and flavor. Since they’re lower in fat, cooking your turkey burgers to a food safe temperature and not a bit higher is important for your burgers to be as succulent and juicy as possible.
Why choose turkey over beef? Turkey burgers are what you’re looking for if you need to reduce your intake of fat and calories, or because of red meat food allergies. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information for a frozen Butterball® turkey burger vs a standard frozen all-beef patty (both at a serving size of 4 oz.).
It’s easy to see which option is best if watching your fat and calorie intake is a priority for you. Turkey burgers give you everything you love about traditional beef burgers, but they’re healthier.
Grilling up juicy, flavorful turkey burgers can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be with the right technique. The key is grilling at the proper temperature to cook the turkey thoroughly while keeping it moist and avoiding dryness. After testing countless turkey burgers over the years, I’m sharing my best tips on what temperature to grill them and how to nail it every time.
The Optimal Temperature for Grilling Turkey Burgers
The safe minimum internal temperature for ground turkey is 165°F according to USDA food safety guidelines. This kills any harmful bacteria that may be present. However, exceeding 165°F can quickly lead to dried out, rubbery turkey burgers so it’s important to remove them from the grill as soon as they reach this target temperature.
I recommend preheating your grill to about 450-500°F for grilling turkey burgers. This high heat helps sear the outside of the patties, locking in moisture and flavor. If you’re using a gas grill, heat it on high for 10-15 minutes, then turn down to medium-high once the patties hit the grates. For charcoal, let the coals get very hot before spreading them out and placing the burgers over direct heat.
Monitoring Temperature for Perfect Doneness
The best way to nail the ideal doneness of 165°F for turkey burgers is to monitor the temperature closely with a reliable instant read thermometer like the Thermapen. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a patty and check the temp a couple minutes before you expect them to be ready. Then check every 30 seconds or so until the thermometer reads 165°F. As soon as it hits 165, remove them from the grill immediately.
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can estimate doneness by cooking time. For 1/4 pound turkey patties about 3/4-inch thick grill about 6-7 minutes per side over direct high heat. But an instant read thermometer is highly recommended for accuracy.
Why 165°F is the Magic Number
You might be wondering why 165°F is the ideal target temperature for turkey burgers. Here’s the scoop:
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Food Safety – 165°F is the safe minimum temperature recommended for ground poultry to destroy illness-causing bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli. Cooking to this temperature helps prevent foodborne illness.
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Ideal Doneness – At 165°F, turkey burgers are fully cooked through without being overdone The texture is still juicy and tender, not dried out or rubbery
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Margin of Error – Cooking just to 165°F gives you a small buffer in case the temperature rises slightly as the patties rest off heat. A few degrees over is okay.
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Prevents Overcooking – Exceeding 165°F by much leads to overcooked turkey burgers, so stopping at 165°F prevents this.
Helpful Tips for Grilling Juicy Turkey Burgers
Follow these tips in addition to grilling at the right temp for guaranteed moist and delicious turkey burgers:
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Use 93% lean ground turkey – The higher fat content keeps burgers juicy compared to 99% extra lean. Or do a blend of white and dark meat.
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Mix in a binder – Adding a little breadcrumbs or egg yolk helps the patties hold together better on the grill.
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Don’t overwork the meat – Gently mix ingredients just until combined to avoid dense, rubbery patties.
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Make a thumbprint indentation – Press your thumb into the center of patties before grilling to prevent bulging.
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Brush oil on the grill grates – This prevents sticking, allowing you to flip the burgers only once.
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Let them rest – Always allow patties to rest 5 minutes off heat before serving to reabsorb juices.
Common Turkey Burger Grilling Mistakes
To get perfect results when making turkey burgers on the grill, avoid these pitfalls:
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Grilling over too low heat which leads to drying out rather than searing
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Grilling with too high heat which can burn the outside before the inside cooks through
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Not oiling the grill grates which causes sticking and falling apart
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Pressing down on patties with the spatula while grilling, which pushes out juices
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Not using a thermometer to confirm 165°F temperature
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Skipping the resting period after grilling so juices get lost
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Making the patties too thick, which makes it hard to cook evenly
Pair withFlavorful Toppings
The lean nature of turkey burgers means they benefit from extra flavor. Some tasty toppings to serve them with include:
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Cheese slices – cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack
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Caramelized onions
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Avocado slices
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Crisp bacon or prosciutto
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Fresh greens like lettuce, spinach, arugula
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Sliced tomatoes
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Pickles
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Condiments like mustard, mayo, ketchup, BBQ sauce
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Hummus, guacamole, or tzatziki spread
Best Side Dishes for Turkey Burgers
What are good sides to accompany your juicy grilled turkey burgers? Here are some of my favorites:
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Oven fries – Russet or sweet potato
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Pasta salad – Fusilli with pesto and veggies
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Grilled vegetables – Zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant
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Greek salad – Tomatoes, cucumber, feta, olives
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Lemony cous cous salad
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Corn on the cob – Grilled with spices
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Coleslaw – Creamy or vinegar-based
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Baked beans – Sweet BBQ-style
Satisfying Turkey Burger Alternatives
If you want to change things up, try these tasty alternatives to classic turkey burger patties:
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Turkey burger stuffed with cheese
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Slider-style mini turkey burgers
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Turkey veggie burgers with added vegetables
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Portobello mushroom cap turkey burgers
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Ground turkey kofta kebabs – Middle Eastern spiced
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Ground turkey meatballs
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Turkey sausage patties
Resting: The Final Stage of Cooking
Not only does the internal temperature of meat continue to rise after being removed from the heat source (carryover cooking), but the protein fibers relax slightly and are able to reabsorb some of the moisture lost. To maximize juiciness, resting your turkey burgers is a step you won’t want to skip.
A Super-Fast® Thermapen® is always our #1 recommended thermometer for grilling. Its speedy 2-3 second readings are perfect when taking multiple temperatures over a hot grill. The highly-accurate thermocouple sensor is in the very 1/8″ of the probe’s tip, making it easy to read internal temperatures in thin pieces of meat like burgers. You can quickly spot-check the internal temperature of everything you have on the grill. Don’t try this with a cheaply made dial or digital thermometers.
How to Keep Turkey Burgers Moist—Don’t Overcook
Rendered fat contributes to much of the juiciness in meat. When you’re preparing very lean meat such as white poultry meat, the meat’s natural juices are what you’re relying on for a succulent mouthfeel. It’s important to be very mindful of internal temperature when cooking lean meats so they don’t become overcooked and dry.
Since small pieces of meat cook quickly over high heat, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your turkey burgers’ internal temperature as they cook to be sure they do not overcook. The key to minimizing moisture loss and maximizing juiciness in burgers is through careful temperature tracking.
Best Ever Juicy Turkey Burgers
FAQ
What temperature do you cook turkey burgers on the grill?
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.
What temperature should turkey be grilled at?
Light all the burners and preheat the gas grill to 350°F. Once the grill is hot, turn off the burners on one side of your grill. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with the breast facing upwards. Cook your turkey with indirect heat by putting the roasting pan on the unlit side of the grill.
How long to grill burgers at 400 degrees?
Cooking burgers on a pellet grill at 400°F typically takes around 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare to medium doneness, depending on the thickness of …
Can turkey burgers be medium rare?
Unlike beef burgers, turkey burgers cannot be done “medium rare” and must reach an internal temperature of 165℉. If you rely too much on the “check if it is no longer pink” method, you may end up overcooking your burgers.
What temperature should a turkey burger be grilled at?
Answer: The ideal grill temperature for turkey burgers is medium-high heat, around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). This temperature is high enough to cook the burgers through while still achieving a nice sear on the outside. 2. How Long Should I Grill Turkey Burgers On Each Side?
How to cook a turkey burger?
To ensure that you are cooking your turkey burgers to the correct internal temperature, it is advisable to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the burger, avoiding contact with bone or fat. Once the meat reaches the minimum internal temperature of 165°F, it is safe to consume.
How do you cook a turkey burger on a grill?
For the best results when cooking turkey burgers: Form meat into evenly shaped thin patties for quicker, more even cooking. Use an instant read digital thermometer to monitor the internal temp. Cook on high heat either on a preheated grill or skillet. Pull from heat immediately once the 165°F minimum temp is reached.
How long should a turkey burger be grilled?
However, a general rule of thumb is to grill turkey burgers for about 6 to 8 minutes per side. Before starting the grilling process, it’s important to prepare the turkey patties properly.
How long do you cook a turkey burger in the oven?
Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Cook the turkey burgers for 15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time. Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Can turkey burgers be medium rare?
Do you need a thermometer to grill a turkey burger?
Grilling the perfect turkey burger is all about precision and technique. By following these tips and using a reliable thermometer, you can achieve juicy, flavorful burgers that are both delicious and healthy. So fire up your grill, grab your Thermapen®, and get ready to experience the ultimate turkey burger bliss!