Char-Grilled · Never Dry · Ready in 40 Minutes
Best-Ever Grilled Turkey Burgers (Extra Juicy!)
Moist, smoky, char-grilled turkey burgers with melted provolone that hold together on the grill every time, plus grill times, toppings and the tricks that keep them juicy.
- 4 burgers
- ~34g protein
- Gas or charcoal
- Printable card
A char-grilled turkey burger with provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles.
Most grilled turkey burgers come off the grill dry, crumbly or stuck to the grates. These do not. Grated onion and a quick panko soak keep the patties moist, a little mayonnaise adds richness, and a short chill means they hold together and flip cleanly. The result is a juicy grilled turkey burger, every single time.
If you have been searching for the best & juiciest turkey burger recipe for summer cookouts, this is it. Below you will find exactly how to make grilled turkey burgers, how long to grill them, how to keep them from falling apart, and six ways to top them.
Grilled Turkey Burger Recipe
This is the best grilled turkey burger recipe for weeknights and cookouts alike. Tap how many burgers you need and every amount on the card changes, including the printable version.
Grilled Turkey Burgers
Juicy, char-grilled turkey burgers with a smoky garlic seasoning and melted provolone. Grated onion and a quick panko soak keep them moist, and chilling the patties stops them falling apart on the grill.
How many burgers?
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g)1 lb (450 g)1½ lb (680 g)2 lb (900 g) ground turkey, 93% lean (not 99%)
- 3 tbsp⅓ cup½ cup⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1½ tbsp3 tbsp4½ tbsp6 tbsp onion, finely grated with its juice
- 1 tbsp2 tbsp3 tbsp¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tsp1 tbsp1½ tbsp2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1234 garlic cloves, grated
- ½ tsp1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp smoked paprika
- ⅜ tsp + ¼ tsp¾ tsp + ½ tsp1 tsp + ¾ tsp1½ tsp + 1 tsp salt and black pepper
- 2468 provolone slices
- 2468 burger buns, toasted
- to serve lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles
Instructions
Soak the panko
In a large bowl, stir the panko, grated onion with its juice, mayonnaise, Worcestershire, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Let it sit for 5 minutes so the crumbs soak up the liquid.
Mix gently
Add the turkey and mix with your fingertips just until combined. Overmixing makes turkey burgers dense and dry.
Shape and chill
Shape into patties about ¾ inch thick and a little wider than your buns. Press a shallow dimple in the center of each, then chill for 15 to 30 minutes so they hold together on the grill.
Heat and oil the grill
Heat the grill to medium-high, about 400 to 450°F. Scrub the grates clean, then oil them well with a folded paper towel held in tongs.
Grill without pressing
Grill for 5 to 6 minutes without moving them, until they release easily. Flip once and grill for 4 to 5 minutes more, until a thermometer in the center reads 165°F.
Melt the cheese and rest
Add the provolone for the last minute and close the lid. Toast the buns at the edge of the grill. Rest the burgers for 3 minutes, then build.
Roughly, per burger
With a brioche bun and a slice of provolone, before sauces and toppings.
This is an estimate, not a lab analysis.
How to Keep Grilled Turkey Burgers Moist
Grated onion, garlic, panko and a spoonful of mayonnaise, ready to mix with the turkey.
Grilling turkey burgers so that they stay moist comes down to six simple things, and they are what make this grilled turkey burgers recipe work:
Use 93% lean turkey
99% lean turkey breast has almost no fat, so it dries out on the grill. 93/7 ground turkey has just enough fat to stay juicy.
Grate the onion
Grated onion melts into the meat and adds moisture and flavor in every bite, with no crunchy chunks.
Soak the panko
Panko soaked in the onion juice and mayonnaise holds moisture inside the patty as it cooks.
Handle it lightly
Mix with your fingertips and stop as soon as it comes together. Packed, overworked meat turns tough and rubbery.
Chill before grilling
Ground turkey is soft and sticky. Fifteen minutes in the fridge firms the patties so they do not stick or fall apart.
Never press, and pull at 165°F
Pressing squeezes out the juices. Flip once, and take the burgers off the moment they reach 165°F.
How to Grill Turkey Burgers on Gas, Charcoal or a Grill Pan
Turkey burgers on the grill need medium-high heat, clean oiled grates and one flip. Here is how to grill turkey burger patties on any setup:
| Grill | Heat | Time per side | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| GrillGas grill | HeatMedium-high, 400–450°F | Time per side5–6 min, then 4–5 min | TipPreheat 10 minutes with the lid closed |
| GrillCharcoal grill | HeatMedium-high, coals ashed over | Time per side5–6 min, then 4–5 min | TipMove to the cool side if flare-ups start |
| GrillPellet grill | Heat425–450°F | Time per side6–7 min, then 5–6 min | TipAdd a gentle smoky flavor |
| GrillGrill pan or griddle | HeatMedium-high | Time per side4–5 min, then 4–5 min | TipOil the pan, and turn on the fan |
How Long to Grill Turkey Burgers by Thickness
| Patty thickness | Grill time (medium-high) |
|---|---|
| Patty thickness½ inch | Grill time (medium-high)4 min, then 3–4 min |
| Patty thickness¾ inch (this recipe) | Grill time (medium-high)5–6 min, then 4–5 min |
| Patty thickness1 inch | Grill time (medium-high)6–7 min, then 5–6 min |
| Patty thicknessSliders, 2½ inches wide | Grill time (medium-high)3 min, then 2–3 min |
Always check the temperature. Ground turkey is done at 165°F in the thickest part. An instant-read thermometer pushed in from the side is the only reliable way to know.
Turkey Burger Problems, Solved
They fall apart
The patties were too warm or too wet. Chill them for 15 to 30 minutes, and wait until they release from the grates before flipping.
They stick to the grill
The grates were not hot, clean or oiled enough. Preheat fully, scrub, oil, and do not move the burgers for the first 5 minutes.
They are dry
Usually 99% lean turkey, overmixing or overcooking. Use 93% lean, mix lightly and pull them at 165°F.
Burnt outside, raw inside
The fire was too hot or the patties too thick. Move them to the cooler side of the grill, close the lid and finish there.
Save the pin for your next cookout.
6 Ways to Top Your Turkey Burgers
Provolone and mushroom, avocado and feta, and BBQ with crispy onions.
These turkey burger recipes for grilling all start with the same juicy patty. Tap a style, and pair any of them with our turkey burger sauce recipes.
Provolone and Mushroom
The best grilled turkey burger with provolone: sauté sliced mushrooms in butter with a pinch of salt and garlic, pile them on the patty and melt the provolone over the top.
Finish with a swipe of garlic mayo on the toasted bun.
The Classic
Lettuce, tomato, thin red onion, pickles and cheddar, with ketchup and mustard. Simple and always a crowd-pleaser.
Avocado and Feta
Sliced avocado, crumbled feta, red onion and a squeeze of lemon. For a feta-stuffed version, see our spinach feta turkey burgers.
BBQ and Crispy Onion
Brush the patties with barbecue sauce in the last 2 minutes, then top with cheddar, crispy fried onions and pickles.
Spicy Jalapeño
Pepper jack, grilled jalapeños, sliced avocado and a chipotle mayo.
Greek-Style
Cucumber, tomato, red onion and a thick spoonful of tzatziki. Add a sprinkle of oregano to the patty mix.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing
- Make ahead: shape the patties, layer them between parchment and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
- Freeze raw: freeze on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Grill from frozen over medium heat, adding about 50% more time.
- Leftovers: refrigerate leftover grilled turkey burger patties for up to 3 days and reheat until hot in the center.
Grilled Turkey Burger FAQs
How do you make grilled turkey burgers juicy?
Use 93 percent lean ground turkey, add grated onion and a little mayonnaise, soak panko in the liquid before adding the meat, mix lightly, and take the burgers off the grill as soon as they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Never press them on the grill.
How long do you grill turkey burgers?
For three-quarter-inch patties on a medium-high grill, about 5 to 6 minutes on the first side and 4 to 5 minutes on the second. Thicker patties need a few minutes more. Always check that the center reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature should turkey burgers be cooked to?
165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part, which is the safe temperature for ground poultry. Use an instant-read thermometer pushed in from the side.
What temperature should the grill be for turkey burgers?
Medium-high, about 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. That is hot enough for char marks and a good crust without burning the outside before the middle is done.
How do you keep turkey burgers from falling apart on the grill?
Chill the shaped patties for 15 to 30 minutes, make sure the grill is fully preheated and oiled, and do not flip them until they release easily from the grates. A little panko also helps bind the meat.
Should I use 93% or 99% lean turkey for burgers?
Use 93 percent lean. The extra fat keeps grilled turkey burgers moist. 99 percent lean turkey breast dries out quickly on the grill.
Do you need egg in turkey burgers?
No. Soaked panko and mayonnaise bind these patties well. If yours feel very loose, mix in 1 egg yolk per pound of turkey.
Why do you put a dimple in turkey burgers?
Burgers puff up in the middle as they cook. A shallow thumbprint in the center keeps them flat, so they cook evenly and sit nicely on the bun.
Can you grill frozen turkey burgers?
Yes. Grill them from frozen over medium heat, adding about 50 percent more time, and check for 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the center. Homemade patties freeze best separated by parchment.
Can you make turkey burger patties ahead of time?
Yes. Shape the patties, layer them between parchment and refrigerate for up to 1 day, or freeze for up to 3 months.
What cheese is best on a grilled turkey burger?
Provolone is a favorite because it melts smoothly and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss and feta are great too.
How do you cook turkey burgers without a grill?
Use a grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil, cooking 4 to 5 minutes per side, or try our air fryer method.
Related Reads
More grilled turkey burger recipes, sauces and seasonings from our kitchen.
Best Turkey Burger Sauce Recipes
Five quick sauces that make every burger better. Whisk one up → SeasoningTurkey Burger Seasoning
A smoky, garlicky blend for juicier patties. Mix a batch → No Grill?Air Fryer Turkey Burger
Juicy and crisp in about 15 minutes. Get the recipe → StuffedSpinach Feta Turkey Burgers
Spinach and feta mixed right into the patty. Try it next → Party SizeTurkey Burger Sliders
Golden mini burgers that disappear fast. Make sliders → No BunTurkey Burger Bowl
All the burger flavor, piled into a bowl. See the bowl →Use 93% lean turkey, grate the onion, chill the patties, flip once and pull them at 165°F. That is how to make the best turkey burger ever, and the best turkey burger recipe for the grill.
Pin these grilled turkey burgers so they are ready for your next cookout.
