Perfecting the Art of Grilling Turkey Burgers
Many people pride themselves on grilling the perfect burger. Yes, the burger is truly the
grill master’s masterpiece, but can you skillfully cook different kinds of burgers? With
grilling season upon us, why not sharpen your techniques to consistently serve up moist,
tasty, crowd-pleasing burgers? For instance, turkey burgers are becoming an increasingly
popular cookout menu item because they are lean, easy-to-prepare and tasty.
Substituting ground turkey for ground beef is an opportunity to add a healthy lean protein
option to your diet as well as add variety to your normal routine. Ground turkey also allows
you to add seasonings and flavors to customize the taste, giving you the opportunity to
make the flavor your own.
To make sure your grilling skills are up to snuff when it comes to turkey burgers, here are
some quick tips to make sure the final product is consistently mouth-watering, flavorful
and memorable.
Mix Ingredients into the Patty
Isn’t it about time the plain old meat patty received a makeover? Why stick with a plain
patty when there are so many other ingredients available that can take it to the next level?
Consider mixing in mushrooms, onions, peppers and sauces for a unique flavor experience.
By mixing in ingredients, your burger will be moister than a patty with just ground turkey.
Experiment with different cheeses and spices to develop your own favorite recipe. One
popular trend includes mixing in Italian turkey sausage with ground turkey to create a
flavorful burger unlike any other. Whatever you decide to mix in to your patty, your burger
will be more unique and delicious because of it.
Know Your Time and Temperature
It’s safe to say no one likes a dried out, overcooked burger. The good news is turkey
burgers can be incredibly juicy if cooked correctly.
Since ground turkey is far leaner than ground beef, it cooks quicker. This doesn’t require
any groundbreaking changes to your grilling technique, it just means making a few key
tweaks.
The two main variables that determine whether you will reach perfection are grill
temperature and cook time. Stick somewhere around medium and high heat and cook
between four and six minutes on each side. It’s also important to flip your burgers only
once. Many people tend to overdo it with flipping their burgers. You’ll know it’s done when
the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Making these small adjustments will create the
perfect final product and make your grilling experience even more rewarding because you
got it right.
Start with One of These Recipes
The National Turkey Federation is home to hundreds of turkey recipes, including many
great turkey burger recipes for grill rookies and veterans alike.
This Southwest Pesto Burger is one that can help you nail a fantastic burger with very little
prep time involved.
So whether you’re entertaining guests or just cooking for the family, these recipes are
perfect places to begin your journey to turkey burger mastery.
Southwest Pesto Burger
2 Tablespoons: light or regular mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon: prepared cilantro pesto
4 (4-Ounce): seasoned lean TURKEY BURGER PATTIES
4 (1-Ounce): slices Pepper Jack cheese
4: Kaiser rolls, split and warmed
1: ripe avocado, peeled, sliced
4 Tablespoons: mild salsa
Cilantro Pesto Mayo
Combine mayonnaise and cilantro pesto in small bowl; mix well.
Cover and chill in refrigerator.
Turkey Burgers
Preheat grill or broiler.
Arrange turkey burger patties on grill rack or in broiler pan. Cook, over direct heat, 4
inches from heat source. Grill or broil 4 to 5 minutes per side or until center is no longer
pink and internal temperature reaches 165°F, turning once.
Add cheese to patties during last minute of broiling.
Toast Kaiser rolls. Top turkey burgers with mayonnaise mixture. Serve burgers on rolls
with avocado and salsa.