Greek Turkey Burgers are easy to make and full of delicious flavors. These make a perfect summer meal, but we make them all year long in our skillet pan. There is a lot to love about this easy spin on turkey burgers!
I love the flavors of Greek cooking so much, that it’s often the first place my mind goes when I am thinking up new recipes. While there is nothing traditionally Greek about these great Greek turkey burgers, they do pull in some of those flavors. You are sure to love these simple burgers.
What Makes This Recipe Greek Inspired
An easy spin on the classic grilled Turkey Burgers, this Greek inspired version features feta cheese and is topped with a delicious yogurt sauce along with tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. This delicious flavor combination is also featured in my Greek Pasta Salad and Greek Quinoa Salad.
Turkey Burger Recipe
How to Make Turkey Burgers
Here is a brief overview of how to make turkey burgers with a Greek twist! For the full recipe including all measurements and steps, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine burger ingredients. Mix very well in a bowl to ensure that the spices are well distributed throughout the burgers.
- Divide mixture into patties. In the same bowl that the ingredients were mixed in, gently push the mixture down to level it in the bottom of the bowl. Then divide the mixture evenly into four burgers. (See photo below.)
- Shape burgers. They will be roughly four inches across.
- Grill. For about five minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. See below for how to make them in a skillet.
- Make yogurt sauce. While the burgers are cooking, whisk together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce.
- Build the burgers. Place some lettuce on the bottom of the bun. Then add tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. Top with some yogurt sauce and enjoy!
Using Egg and Breadcrumbs
Different than making regular hamburgers, the egg and breadcrumbs in these grilled turkey burgers help to bind the ingredients together and maintain their shape. Their addition also keeps the burgers moist which makes this the best turkey burger recipe. The breadcrumbs pull moisture from the meat so it stays in the burger rather than evaporating during cooking.
While they add some calories to your burger, a little bit of bread crumbs and egg whites seem worth it to make a turkey burger you actually want to eat. Make a batch of homemade breadcrumbs in just a few minutes!
Homemade Breadcrumbs
Make Greek Turkey Burgers on the Stove
Good news! You can make these homemade turkey burgers anytime of year by making them on the your stovetop. Simply heat a lightly greased skillet and cook the burgers for five minutes, then flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long to Cook Turkey Burgers
Turkey is considered fully cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, so that is the goal with this recipe. Overcooked turkey burgers will be dry which we want to avoid. The best way to make sure your Greek turkey burgers are done without being overcooked is to use a meat thermometer.
Meat Thermometer
Yogurt Sauce
The yogurt sauce that tops the burgers is a creamy and flavorful addition. With just three ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this sauce whips up in a snap. Make a whole batch for your burgers and use the leftovers for dipping cucumbers!
Yogurt Sauce
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture. To prevent it from compacting, handle the meat as little as possible when mixing the ingredients to make the burgers.
- Don’t overcook the burgers. If they are overcooked they will be dry. Monitor the internal temperature to make sure they are fully cooked and removed from the skillet or grill once they are done. I recommend using a meat thermometer to do this.
- Refrigerate the patties before grilling. These burgers hold together really well, but if you are worried about the burgers falling apart, place the formed patties in the refrigerator for an hour before you grill them to allow them to set.
FAQ
Although it would make the burgers less Greek and may give them a dryer consistency, you can leave out the feta or replace it with mozzarella.
As written, they are not gluten free due to the breadcrumbs.
If your burgers are dry and tough there is a good chance that they are overcooked or were overmixed. To make sure they stay moist, watch the internal temperature and use egg and breadcrumbs as directed in the recipe.
Make Ahead and Freezing
These burgers can be made the night before by mixing them and forming them into patties. Be sure to stack them with wax paper between the patties and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator so they don’t stick together.
Additionally, you could do the same method of stacking and freeze them. These would store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months. They can be cooked from frozen, just know that you will have to cook them a bit longer and monitor their internal temperature.
What To Serve With Turkey Burgers
If you make this homemade turkey burger recipe or any of my others, please leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Greek Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
Greek Turkey Burger Patties
- 16 ounces ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 egg whites whisked
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3.5 ounces feta cheese fat free works great (2/3 cup)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Yogurt Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Greek Turkey Burgers
- 4 buns
- tomato
- red onion
- cucumbers
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the patties. Divide the mixture into fourths. Shape them into patties.16 ounces ground turkey, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 2 egg whites, 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme, 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 3.5 ounces feta cheese, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Preheat the grill to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the grill. Add the patties and grill for five minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the burgers cook, whisk together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce.1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Construct the burgers by placing some lettuce on the bottom of the bun. Then add tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. Top with some yogurt sauce (about a tablespoon). Serve and enjoy!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Luckily in CA, I can grill outside all year long. BUT even when we lived in MN, you’d find me out in the snow making burgers. My neighbors thought I was crazy. But hey, no way was I going to deprive myself for 8 months. These sound awesome! LOVE Jennie-O…always have some in the fridge.
Ooooo, you are lucky! And I love that you understand that non-grilling season in the midwest is at least 8 months, lol!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I swear, stuffing cheese in turkey burgers is the BEST THING EVER. I love this recipe!
Thanks Dorothy!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
Gah Lisa!!! These look AWESOME! So what I’m hearing is that you’ll be making these for us ALL. SUMMER. LONG. (Right????) :)
Thanks Cathy!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I am loving all that Greek flavor inside of these burgers Lisa! And of course they’ll be amazing because they’re made with Jennie-O! Can’t wait to give this one a try!!
Thanks Trish!
heather @french press says
I actually prefer a turkey burger to traditional – and when stuffed with cheese – it just doesn’t get any better
Thanks Heather!
Suzie says
Another great topping for Greek turkey burgers is tzatziki and to keep them even more authentic, halve and serve in pitas.
Debra says
Can I substitute one whole egg instead of two egg whites?
Yes, that will work fine.
Regina says
Why egg whites verses whole egg?
The egg whites help bind it without bringing in the fat and cholesterol of the whole egg.