Turkey Smash Burgers (Done in 20 Minutes)

Name: Turkey Smash Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground turkey (dark meat or 85% lean); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 large yellow or white onion (sliced thinly); 4 slices of cheese (American, Cheddar, Provolone, etc.); Lettuce; 1 large tomato (sliced); 4 burger buns; ¼ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish or finely chopped dill pickles

These Turkey Smash Burgers are juicy with little fat and packed with flavor. Prepped and cooked to perfection in only 20 minutes, these turkey burger patties are a fan favorite. Pair them with your favorite toppings and side dishes and store them easily for your next meal.

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🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe

Ready in 20 minutes. The turkey mixture is prepared in 10 minutes and with a cook time of 10 minutes you'll have finished burgers in just 20 minutes. Serve them with my Roasted Potato Salad or Marinated Grilled Zucchini for the perfect easy meal.
Made with minimal equipment. All you need is a knife, large mixing bowl, grill pan or cast iron skillet and you're ready to go.
Versatile turkey patties. These delicious turkey burgers can be paired with your favorite side dishes and topped with melty cheese or any topping of your choosing. Or throw them on top of a salad for some added protein. If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Turkey Burgers and Chicken Burgers next!

🥘Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients needed to make turkey smash burgers.

Ground turkey. I prefer to use 93% lean and 7% fat for most of my cooking but for this recipe, I chose around 85% lean for a juicy burger. Use lean ground turkey, if you prefer.
Cheese. Depending on what toppings you choose, whether it be red onion and butter lettuce or your favorite, adding American cheese, cheddar, goat cheese or provolone will add flavor to the burger.
Yellow or white onion. I recommend white or yellow over red onions for this recipe as they're more sweet and flavorful.
Garlic powder. Adding garlic powder and other spices to your smashed burger adds flavor to your meat mixture. Using minced garlic is okay, you'll just get a more pronounced garlic flavor.
Special sauce. A classic smash burger is topped with a sauce made up of ketchup, mustard, mayo and relish.

See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.

🔪Instructions

Step 1: Grab a large bowl and combine the ground turkey with your spices and olive oil. You want to form the mixture into equal portions.

Step 2: Heat the butter on a large grill pan, griddle or skillet over high heat. Add onions to the hot pan and place the turkey balls atop.

Step 3: Smash the ball into onions using a stiff metal spatula or burger press to create thin patties.

Step 4: Cook for 4 minutes and flip to the second side.

Step 5: Add your choice of cheese, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Step 6: Mix all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Place the burgers on the buns, top with your sauce, serve and enjoy with your favorite sides.

💭Recipe FAQs

How to know when a turkey burger is done?

Turkey burgers cook in about 8 minutes or 4 minutes on each side. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160F, let rest and serve when the temperature reaches 165F.

Can turkey burgers be pink inside?

The color of cooked poultry doesn't always determine if it's safe to eat. The best way to ensure your turkey meat is cooked is to use a meat thermometer and have the temperature read 165F.

What to season turkey burgers with?

Use different spices to add flavor to your ground turkey. A few recommended ones are paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

A burger with cheese, onions, lettuce and tomato on a cutting board.

👩🏻‍🍳Sarah's Top Tips

No burger press no problem. If you don't have a burger press use a large spatula, plate, meat mallet or even a cup!
Use dark meat. Use dark meat or around 80-85% lean for a juicier burger. If you use leaner meat, the burgers may be dry.
Use a griddle or cast iron pan. I prefer to use a cast iron pan over a hot grill as it allows for higher heat and a more even cook. You need a hot surface to allow a nice crust to form on the outside of the burger.
Don't skip the smash sauce, it elevates the flavor of the burger.

🥗Serving

Turkey smash burgers are the perfect recipe to pair with any of your favorite side dishes like Pesto Orzo Salad, Air Fryer Steak Fries, Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, Italian Tomato Salad, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, and Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Carrots.

A turkey burger cut in half with sauce dripping down.

🥣Storage & Reheating

Leftover turkey burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
You can reheat the burgers in the microwave for about 1 minute or on the stove for a few minutes until warm.
To freeze, I recommend separating the patties with parchment paper or wrapping each in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. The burgers should last 2-3 months in the freezer. Defrost them in the fridge before reheating.