Tasty Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers can be just as satisfying as some people believe a beef burger to be. They are easy, juicy, and best of all healthy. Of the many turkey burger recipes I’ve tried in my lifetime, this one is by far my “old faithful”. Try them for yourself and see if they become the best, healthy turkey burger recipe for you too.

ground beef sirloin in a clear glass bowl

Turkey Burger vs Beef Burger

One obvious benefit of choosing turkey over beef is that turkey is generally lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than beef. This is especially the case for those that tend to purchase ground chuck.

For reference, each 112 gm serving of ground chuck has about 280 calories, 22 gm total fat, 9 gm saturated fat, and 71 mg of cholesterol.

Ground sirloin on the other hand is 200 calories, 11 gm total fat, 4.5 gm saturated fat, and 75 mg cholesterol per the same serving size. The sirloin is the leanest cut of meat however I think we can do better!

Compared to ground chuck and sirloin, a serving of 93% lean, ground turkey has around 140 calories, 6.25 gm of total fat, 1.8 gm of saturated fat, and 80 mg of cholesterol. Which makes lean, ground turkey the best choice for those looking for a heart healthy burger option.

Type of MeatCaloriesTotal Fat (grams)Saturated Fat (grams)Cholesterol (milligrams)
Ground beef chuck (112 gm)28022971
Ground beef sirloin (112 gm)200114.575
Ground 93% lean turkey (113 gm)1406.251.880
Table 1: Nutritional comparison of ground beef chuck and sirloin versus turkey (from USDA Food Data Central)

Recommendations from the AHA

One thing you may notice right away from the table above is that the cholesterol level increases as you compare beef chuck to sirloin to lean turkey meat.

This amount is going to vary depending on the brand and also how much fat present. Additionally, dark meat turkey has more cholesterol than white meat turkey.

In the past, the American Heart Association recommended that we limit out intake of cholesterol to less than 300 mg/day, and less than 200 mg/day for those already with high blood cholesterol. However, when AHA guidelines were updated in 2015, these recommendations were no longer listed. This is because we now know that there is “no appreciable relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol” (1).

What the AHA does encourage is limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats to less than 6% of total daily calories. This is equivalent to about 13 grams per day if following a 2,000 calorie diet (3).

This is because eating too much saturated fats can lead to increasing cholesterol levels. And as a result, this can increase your risk of heart disease (3). 

Furthermore they encourage also limiting or avoiding the consumption of beef products. Instead, they recommend choosing more skinless poultry, fish, or plant-based protein sources like nuts, beans and legumes (2). So, if you choose to continue eating red meat, try to limit your portion size to 3 ounces. For reference, three ounces is about the size of a deck of cards.

Long story short, if having to choose between a beef burger or turkey burger, the turkey burger is still the better choice despite the higher cholesterol content.

turkey burger recipe healthy with toppings and bun on a wooden plank.

Ingredients

Ground turkey– I like to use extra lean, white meat ground turkey breast for this recipe. However, you can use any high quality, 100% pure ground turkey.

Egg whites– All you need to do is separate 2 egg whites from 2 large eggs. Either save the yolks for another recipe or toss. See the FAQ section below if you need a good substitute for these.

Whole grain crackers or Italian bread crumbs– I most often use whole grain Wasa Crisp bread for these burgers however if I’m all out of those, plain or Italian bread crumbs are a wonderful substitute.

Onion– I love adding vegetables into burger patties. For these turkey burgers, onion works perfectly. They help to add more flavor along with nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, folate, and manganese.

Seasonings– other ingredients needed to make these super quick and delicious burgers are your typical garlic powder, a little salt and some pepper.

The Best Toppings for Your Burger

Remember that when you add toppings, you should be mindful of what you choose. This is because items like pickles, cheese, and many sauces such as BBQ or ketchup can add to the fat or sodium content.

You can never go wrong with adding vegetables such as:

  • any type of lettuce or spinach
  • tomato slices or compote
  • canned or roasted beet slices
  • red onion or caramelized onion
  • avocado slices

And if you are watching your carbohydrate intake, you can always use a lettuce “bun” instead of a typical burger bun.

For all the carb-lovers out there who aren’t crazy about the idea of a lettuce bun, go ahead and enjoy these low calorie burgers on any type of bun you choose. Some non-lettuce burger bun options include:

  • whole grain buns
  • pretzel buns
  • sesame buns
  • tortilla wraps
  • pita bread
turkey burgers and toppings laid out on a wooden cutting board

What to Eat With Turkey Burgers

There are so many different sides you can make that go well with this healthy turkey burger recipe. I feel like you can’t go wrong with French fries. Although if you are like me, they’ve got to be SWEET POTATO FRIES! Check out this list for all my favorite sides to serve with turkey burgers:

FAQ

Can you make turkey burgers taste like beef?


While they will not taste exactly like beef burgers, you can add seasonings such as steak seasoning, liquid smoke, Worcestershire, onion powder, garlic powder and/or black pepper to give it a more seasoned beef burger flavor.

How long do turkey burgers stay fresh in the fridge or freezer?


You can make the turkey burger mixture up to a day ahead of time and store in the refrigerator before cooking. After cooking your burgers, these will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What can I use as a binder instead of egg?


If you need a substitute for the egg white in this recipe, try using plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, Panko, wheat germ, or oats and add a little water for moisture. You could also try a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water).

What kind of turkey should I use to make turkey burgers?


Definitely don’t skimp by purchasing turkey meat in a tubular-shaped log. Stick with good quality, freshly ground, turkey such as Jennie-O, Honeysuckle, or any other 100% freshly, ground turkey.

I have a large family. Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! You can even triple the recipe if you want. I double it every time I make it so we have leftovers the next day.

turkey burgers and toppings laid out on a wooden cutting board

Tasty Turkey Burgers

A great basic turkey burger recipe that is sure to become part of your regular meal repertoire. These are the perfect burger choice if you are watching your weight or want a lower calorie and saturated fat option for heart health.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 burgers
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. extra lean white meat ground turkey breast
  • 2 egg whites
  • ½ cup whole grain crackers or Italian bread crumbs crushed
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • Cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Form turkey mixture into 4 patties.
  • Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
  • Place patties in skillet and cover, cooking for 5 minutes.
  • Turn patties over and cooking additional 5 minutes or until cooked through. (Internal temperature should reach 165°F).

Notes

Additional Suggestions: 
  • Some other add-ins prior to cooking that will up the nutritional value could include nutritional yeast or ground flaxseeds. 
  • If you’re out of whole grain crackers, try any type of cracker, bread crumb or make your own crumbs by toasting a couple slices of bread, then pulsing in your food processor. 
 
Nutrition Information Per Burger (Makes 4 burgers):
140 calories, 3 gm fat, 0.5 gm sat. fat, 7 gm carbohydrate, 28 gm protein, 1 gm fiber, 144 mg sodium, 15 mg cholesterol
Keyword broil, burger, easy, grill, quick, turkey, turkey burger

Share with me: What did you think of this healthy turkey burger recipe? Did you make any modifications? I’d love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below!🥰

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