Turkey burgers have become an extremely popular healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. And there are lots of great spots to get a tasty turkey burger close to home. In this article, I’ll share my picks for the best places to get a satisfying turkey burger near you
What Makes a Good Turkey Burger?
Before getting into the restaurant recommendations, let’s discuss what makes a turkey burger truly delicious. Here are some key factors that set the great turkey burgers apart:
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Moistness – Turkey meat can easily dry out if overcooked, so a juicy interior is crucial. Brining or marinating the turkey helps lock in moisture.
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Flavor – Seasoning the turkey meat well and adding complementary toppings is important since turkey has a milder flavor than beef.
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Not overly dense – The texture shouldn’t be too compacted or dense. Some bready binders are fine but using too much can make the burger taste dry
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Well-cooked – Properly cooking the burger to 165°F internal temperature eliminates bacteria without overdrying the meat
So with those criteria in mind, let’s look at some spots that nail delicious, juicy turkey burgers.
Local Restaurants for Excellent Turkey Burgers
Here are my top picks for getting a great turkey burger in the area:
The Burger Stand
- Highly rated local spot focusing on quality ingredients
- Turkey burger cooked juicy and seasoned with curry spices
- Toppings like guacamole, tomato jam, and smoked gouda add lots of flavor
Bareburger
- Restaurant chain with turkey as one of their specialty burgers
- Brines their turkey patties overnight for maximum juiciness
- Lots of ways to customize with cheese, sauces, and veggie toppings
Elevation Burger
- Grass-fed organic turkey burgers are their signature
- Patties are tender and always cooked medium rare to stay moist
- Offers tasty toppings like applewood bacon, guacamole, and fried eggs
Urban Tap House
- Popular local gastropub with great turkey burger recipe
- Seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and garlic for lots of flavor
- Brioche bun and choice of cheese compliment the juicy patty
Blue Spoon Cafe
- Uses ground turkey thigh meat which has more fat to stay juicy
- Creative options like a fig and goat cheese turkey burger available
- Seasoned fries or side salad come with the nicely priced burgers
Tips for Ordering a Turkey Burger Out
To get the most delicious turkey burger when dining out, keep these tips in mind:
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Ask how it’s cooked – Requesting a cook temp like medium or medium rare helps avoid overcooking.
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Hold the heavy toppings – Load up on produce, sauces, and seasoning rather than dense fillers that can dry out the burger.
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Get a side salad – A fresh, bright salad balances the burger instead of fries or heavy sides.
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Split it or size down – A smaller or split turkey burger ensures you get the best flavors in each bite when the patty itself is the star.
Satisfy Your Craving with a Juicy Turkey Burger Nearby
Turkey burgers have come a long way from the dry hockey pucks of the past. You can now find delicious, juicy versions made from quality ingredients at restaurants near you. Follow the recommendations and ordering tips in this article to get your fill of a mouthwatering turkey burger cooked to perfection. Enjoy the flavorful alternatives to beef as a healthier option for your next burger craving.
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How To Make Turkey burger patties
Make the patties. Mix the ground turkey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper with your hands. Then, divide the mixture evenly to form 4 large patties. To avoid uncooked patties, flatten them out a bit so they’re not super tall and dense. Plus, they do shrink quite a bit when cooking!
Cook the patties. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Cook the patties for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Unlike beef patties, turkey burgers need to be completely cooked through. If you’d like, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check and see if they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Are Turkey Burgers Healthy?
Every once in a while, I crave a meaty and juicy burger. But when I try to cut down on red meat and choose leaner options, ground turkey is always my go-to. It’s like switching from beef meatballs to my favorite turkey meatballs recipe.
So to answer the question – “Are turkey burgers actually healthy?” The answer is an affirmative yes! Ground turkey has less saturated fat than ground beef and is even leaner than ground chicken.
The only “downside” is that turkey tends to be a lot drier than beef. But I’ve got a few tips on how to make the perfect turkey burger patty that’s not dry and bland, plus they’re completely gluten-free! This is my go-to turkey burger recipe in my house, and I’m confident you’ll come back to it over and over again as well!
- Ground Turkey: The key to juicier turkey burgers is choosing the right lean-to-fat ratio. Packaged ground turkey is often a mix of light and dark meat, but you’ll want to choose one that’s 93% lean and 7% fat. This makes for a moist and succulent texture. And if purchasing ground turkey from the butcher, ask them to provide the same mix suitable for a burger patty.
- Mayonnaise: Just a little bit of mayo helps to add moisture and acts as a binder for the patties. You can use your favorite brand or make my easy homemade mayonnaise which tastes 10x better and has no funky ingredients!
- Dijon Mustard & Worcestershire sauce: While turkey is really a blank canvas for flavor, I often find most turkey burger recipes to be bland and boring in flavor. But the simple combo of Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce adds a savory, umami flavor – and it’ll have everyone going back for seconds! Side note: if you’re gluten-free like me, scroll down to the recipe card where I’ve linked the gluten-free Worcestershire sauce I use (as not all brands are gluten-free).
- Seasonings: All you need are fresh garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper to complete the flavor profile. But if you want to switch up some of the flavors, I’ve got a few options listed below.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
Juicy Turkey Burger Recipe
FAQ
Are turkey burgers really healthier?
Ground turkey burgers are a healthier alternative to ground beef hamburgers. Turkey is naturally lower in saturated fat and high in protein. It’s also an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering niacin (also known as vitamin B3), the antioxidant selenium, calcium, potassium, and zinc.
Are Jennie O’Frozen turkey burgers healthy?
These lean burgers contain 24 grams of protein and 200 calories per serving. Yet they’re 100% delicious and guilt-free. Find this product in the freezer section of your grocery store. *Minimally processed, no artificial ingredients.
Are bubbas turkey burgers healthy?
Both beef and turkey BUBBA burgers are a great source of pure protein and contain no additives, no fillers, no preservatives and no added sodium, so there are no bad choices here. But depending on what your nutritional needs are, there are distinct advantages to choosing one over the other.