Description
This flavorful turkey burger recipe features a spicy and smoky blend of chipotle pepper, smoked paprika, and fresh cilantro mixed into ground turkey. The burgers can be cooked by pan-frying, baking, or grilling to perfection, ensuring juicy and well-seasoned patties every time. Served with a creamy chipotle mayo and optional toppings like avocado, fresh cilantro, and salsa, these turkey burgers are a delicious and healthier alternative to classic beef burgers.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Burgers
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil (plus more for frying)
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 teaspoon crushed chipotle chile pepper flakes (or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 lb ground turkey
Chipotle Mayo
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder (or more crushed chipotle chile pepper)
Optional for Serving
- Burger buns
- Salsa
- Avocado, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the turkey mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, coconut aminos, crushed chipotle flakes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, chopped fresh cilantro, and sea salt. Add the ground turkey and gently mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the burgers tender.
- Form the patties: Divide the turkey mixture evenly into 4 portions. Shape each portion into a patty and create a slight thumbprint indentation in the center of each to prevent bulging during cooking.
- Cook on stovetop: Heat additional avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
- Alternative baking method: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes. Then, broil for 2-3 minutes to develop a nice brown crust.
- Alternative grilling method: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Grill the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side until they reach the appropriate internal temperature.
- Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Let them rest for 5 minutes to allow the temperature to rise to 165°F (74°C), ensuring safe consumption.
- Make the chipotle mayo: While the burgers cook, whisk together the mayonnaise and chipotle chile powder until well combined for a spicy and creamy sauce.
- Assemble and serve: Serve the turkey burgers on buns topped with chipotle mayo, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and salsa according to your preference for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can choose your preferred cooking method depending on your equipment: stovetop skillet, oven baking with broiling, or grilling.
- Be careful not to overmix the turkey mixture to keep the patties tender and juicy.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle flakes or powder according to your spice tolerance.
- Resting the burgers after cooking helps maintain juiciness and ensures they reach the safe internal temperature.
- This recipe pairs well with fresh toppings like avocado, salsa, and cilantro for added flavor and texture.
