Easy turkey burgers that are moist, juicy and loaded with flavor. Only 5 simple ingredients (no breadcrumbs needed!) and 20 minutes to prepare make these patties a quick weeknight dinner!

Turkey burger on a white plate with salad.

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Easy 5-Ingredient Turkey Burger Recipe

These easy turkey burgers are my go-to when I want something lighter than a classic beef burger, especially during grilling season.

They’re made with ground turkey, seasoned just right, and no breadcrumbs needed since the BBQ sauce keeps everything moist and holds the patties together.

I adapted these from my best hamburger patty recipe and they’re moist, juicy and full of flavor. They’re a bit lighter for when you aren’t in the mood for red meat. Serve on a hamburger bun or keep it low carb and make a lettuce wrap burger instead.

XO - Jamielyn

Recipe Ingredients

  • Ground turkey: I prefer to use 80/20 ground turkey, although 85/15 is also a great choice for the best flavor. You could use 93% ground turkey and still have great flavor. While 99% ground turkey will be your most lean ground meat, it does tend to be dry and have not as much flavor.
  • BBQ sauce. I love my homemade version but any BBQ sauce will add flavor to the meat.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper and garlic powder. Super simple!

No Breadcrumbs Needed

Most turkey burger recipes use breadcrumbs or egg to bind the patties, but you don’t need them here. The BBQ sauce does double duty, adding flavor and holding everything together so the burgers stay moist without drying out. If you ever do want to add a binder, an egg, homemade breadcrumbs or some almond flour works too, just try chilling the patties for 30 minutes before grilling if they ever feel like they might fall apart.

How to Make Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers being cooked on the grill.
  1. Combine the ground turkey, BBQ sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Mix just until combined with your hands.
  2. Shape into 4 patties about 3/4-inch thick. Make a well in your patties with your thumb to prevent from bulging.
  3. Place patties on the grill over medium-high heat and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and then cook an additional 4-5 minutes, or until juices run clear and burgers have reached 180°F.  
  4. Serve on buns or lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings. 

Tips for the Best Turkey Burger Recipe

  • Don’t overmix. Be careful not to over mix or else the meat won’t be as tender. Mix everything together just until combined.
  • Thumbprint in center. Make a thumbprint in the middle of your patties to prevent the burgers from bulging.
  • Sticking to grill. To avoid sticking, make sure to clean and oil your grill plates.
  • Flipping. Don’t move the burgers until 4 to 5 minutes have passed. You want them to solidify and get a good char on the bottom prior to flipping.
  • Meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to easily know when they are done. They are ready when the interior has reached 180°F and the juices run clear.
  • No grill, no problem: Follow the directions for my baked hamburger recipe and bake in oven!

Variations

  • Swap the BBQ sauce for steak sauce or homemade teriyaki sauce
  • Season burgers with this easy homemade hamburger seasoning. I always love to have a batch in my pantry!
  • Other popular seasonings to add include oregano, onion powder or Italian seasoning.
Turkey burgers with grill marks on the grill.

Favorite Toppings

Make the burger your own by adding on all of your favorite toppings. Keep it classic with lettuce, tomato, pickles and melted cheese. Or make it gourmet by adding a fried egg, bacon and some caramelized onions.

Serving Suggestions

I love pairing these with crispy sweet potato fries or a simple cucumber tomato salad for something fresh. Grilled corn on the cob is always a good call too if the grill’s already going.

Turkey burger on a white plate.

Looking for more ground turkey recipes? You’ll also love my turkey meatloaf recipe, egg roll in a bowl and turkey meatballs.

More Burger Recipes

turkey burger on a white plate

Turkey Burgers

5 from 11 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
An easy turkey burger recipe with only 5 ingredients! Moist, juicy and loaded with flavor from BBQ sauce, no breadcrumbs needed.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ pounds ground turkey , 80% lean and 20% fat
  • 2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce , or steak sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Optional toppings: ketchup, mayo, mustard, thousand island, cheese, bacon, lettuce leaves, tomato slices, sliced onion, pickles

For serving: hamburger buns or lettuce wraps

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high. 
  • Combine the ground turkey, BBQ sauce, salt, garlic powder and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Mix just until combined with your hands and shape into 4 patties about 3/4-inch thick. Make a well in your patties with your thumb to prevent from bulging.
  • Place patties on the grill and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and then cook an additional 4-5 minutes, or until juices run clear and burgers have reached 180°F. Top with cheese slices, if desired. Grill until cheese has melted and turn off the heat. 
  • Serve on buns or lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Seasoning: If you like spice, add a dash of cayenne or some red pepper flakes. I also love to use this easy hamburger seasoning and top my burger with my favorite burger sauce. 
Make-ahead tip: Form the patties in advance, cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to grill. If stacking patties, separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 758mg, Potassium: 522mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 60IU, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.