I've always loved Greek flavors: lemon, herbs, garlic, and creamy tzatziki. Once grilling season hits, these Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki are on repeat in my kitchen. They're juicy, full of flavor, and lighter than beef, which makes them great for a quick dinner or meal prep. You can make them on the grill or stovetop in just 25 minutes, so they're easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for entertaining.
Jump to:
Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Recipe
What I love most about these burgers is how bright, flavorful, and easy they are to make. The turkey is seasoned with Greek spices and crumbled feta, then seared to juicy perfection on the grill or stovetop. I developed this recipe after making a batch of my Greek turkey meatballs and realized those same flavors would be just as amazing in burger form. I usually serve these with a big spoonful of homemade tzatziki for that refreshing, creamy finish. Whether I'm throwing them on the grill for a BBQ or making a quick weeknight dinner, they always hit the spot.
Key Ingredients
- Ground turkey. Look for dark meat vs ground turkey breast for juicy burgers that don't dry out on the grill.
- Feta cheese. Adds salty richness and helps the burgers stay tender by adding moisture.
- Lemon juice. Brightens the entire dish and pairs beautifully with the herbs and yogurt.
- Yogurt & cucumber. For the homemade tzatziki. The perfect contrast to the warm, savory patties.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Step 1
Heat a grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface if needed to prevent sticking. Combine the ground turkey, red onion, feta, spices, lemon juice, and olive oil. Use your hands to gently mix until just combined-don't overmix or the burgers can become tough.
Step 2
Form the mixture into 4 to 5 patties, about ½ to ¾ inch thick.
Step 3
Place the patties onto the hot grill or pan.
Step 4
Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid pressing down on them while cooking to keep them juicy.
Step 5
While the burgers cook, stir together the yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt, cucumber, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Step 6
Taste and adjust the seasoning, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 7
Toast the buns if you'd like. Add lettuce, tomato, a turkey burger, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki to each bun. Serve immediately and dig in!
Sarah's Top Tips
- I recommend using ground turkey vs ground turkey breasts for juicier burgers. If you buy ground turkey breasts, you may want to grate the red onion instead of dicing it to add moisture, like in my air fryer turkey burgers.
- Don't overmix the meat, this can lead to dry and tough burgers.
- Before cooking, use your thumb to make a shallow indent in the center of each patty. This helps them cook evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the middle as they heat.
- Let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes after cooking so the juices don't run out when you take a bite.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving these burgers with warm pita or a side of crisp cucumber salad for something light and fresh. Lemon roasted potatoes or grilled veggies are also perfect if I'm in the mood for something heartier. For extra crunch, I usually add slices of tomato, red onion, or a handful of lettuce. And don't be shy with the tzatziki-pile it high. It's cool, creamy, and makes the whole dish.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store cooked turkey patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The tzatziki can be made 1-2 days ahead and kept in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
Freezer: You can freeze the cooked patties for up to 3 months; just let them cool completely first.
Reheating: To reheat the turkey burgers, warm them in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until heated. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for the best texture.
🍽 More Recipes You'll Love
- Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Thighs - A great follow-up if you want to keep the Greek-inspired grilling going!
- Juicy Chicken Burger Recipe - Another lean alternative that's full of flavor and easy to customize.
- Easy Greek Turkey Meatballs - The original inspo behind this burger! Tender, herby, and perfect with tzatziki.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below-I'd love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
Recipe
Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki (Grill or Stovetop)
Video
Save this Recipe!
Get the recipe link sent to your inbox!
See the full post for extra tips and photos
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground turkey
- ½ red onion , diced
- ¼-1/3 cup crumbled feta
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried dill , or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 brioche buns, or your favoite burger buns
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek or Icelandic Skyr yogurt
- ½ teaspoon fresh or dried dill
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely diced or shredded cucumber, (I like English or seedless cucumbers)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat a grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan if needed.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, onion, feta, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, dill, lemon juice, paprika, and olive oil. Mix gently with your hands just combined!1.5 pounds ground turkey, ½ red onion, ¼-1/3 cup crumbled feta, 1 teaspoon salt, Black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ lemon, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Shape the mixture into 4-5 evenly sized patties, about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Press a slight indent in the center of each to help them cook evenly and avoid puffing up.
- Place the patties on the hot grill or pan and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid pressing them down as they cook.
- While the burgers cook, stir together the yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt, cucumber, and garlic powder in a small bowl to make the tzatziki. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then refrigerate until ready to use.1 cup Greek or Icelandic Skyr yogurt, ½ teaspoon fresh or dried dill, ½ lemon, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup finely diced or shredded cucumber, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Toast your burger buns if desired. Layer each bun with lettuce, tomato slices, a juicy turkey burger, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!4 brioche buns
Sarah's Tips
- Use ground turkey, not turkey breast, for the juiciest results.
- Press a thumbprint in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly.
- Swap dill for parsley or mint if needed.
- Want to go lighter on dairy? Use dairy-free yogurt in the tzatziki, but note the burgers still contain feta.
KITCHEN TOOLS NEEDED
- Grill or grill pan
Comments
No Comments