Turkey Bacon Burgers smothered with garlic aioli BBQ sauce. So juicy and deliciously topped with a toasted brioche bun. A perfect weeknight meal made in minutes!
Turkey burgers offer a delightful alternative to traditional beef patties, boasting both delicious flavors and health benefits. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, craving a quick weeknight dinner, or seeking a healthier option, turkey burgers are sure to please everyone around the table. So, fire up the grill (or oven), and get ready to savor the juiciness and goodness of these delectable turkey burgers!
The Benefits of Turkey Burgers
Lean and Nutritious: Turkey is a lean meat that’s rich in protein, vitamins (B6, B12), and minerals (zinc, selenium). Compared to beef, turkey contains less saturated fat, making it a heart-friendly option.
Weight Management: If you’re watching your waistline, turkey burgers are a great choice. They are lower in calories than beef burgers, allowing you to indulge without the guilt.
Versatile Flavor Profile: Turkey burgers serve as a blank canvas, ready to absorb a wide array of flavors. From Mediterranean-inspired herbs and spices to bold Tex-Mex seasoning, the possibilities are endless.
Allergy-Friendly: Turkey burgers are a fantastic option for those with beef allergies or dietary restrictions. They offer an opportunity to enjoy a burger experience without compromising on taste.
Tips for Juicy and Flavorful Turkey Burgers
Use Ground Turkey with Some Fat: While it’s tempting to choose the leanest ground turkey available, a little fat (around 93% lean) will add moisture and prevent the burger from becoming too dry.
Incorporate Moisture-Rich Ingredients: Add grated vegetables like zucchini or carrot, finely chopped mushrooms, or even a splash of chicken broth to keep the burgers moist.
Avoid Over mixing: Mix the ingredients gently just until combined to prevent the burgers from becoming tough.
Cook to the Right Temperature: Turkey burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.
These can easily be made on the grill, but I love to make these in a cast iron skillet. Although I had a problem with getting the middle done without burning the outside! So As soon as I have the outside on both sides nice and brown I pop it in the oven to finish cooking. Problem solved! Now they get done in the middle without burning on the outside but still have that nice seared flavor.
I have made these without the bacon and sauces and they still taste amazing! However the bacon and sauces really bump it up to the next level. Also, don’t forget to toast the buns. I think that makes a huge difference. I also prefer the brioche buns over regular hamburger buns.
This is a not a hand me down recipe, this is just something I made up on my own! I have started using ground turkey in all my recipes instead of ground beef, however ground turkey can get dry pretty quickly.
So in order to fix that I add some feta cheese and Worcestershire sauce to the patties before shaping them. I have also used gorgonzola cheese and that tasted amazing too! What I ended up with is a nice juicy turkey burger. I have also added some sliced avocados and arugula leaves.
I use an aioli sauce that is pre-made from the store and then just add my favorite BBQ sauce on top of that. If you don’t have an aioli sauce on hand, its super simple to make! Here is a basic recipe for it.
Garlic Aioli Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1-2 cloves garlic minced
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Mix all together and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
More Turkey Burger Recipes
Experiment with various seasonings and toppings to create a turkey burger that suits your taste buds perfectly. Here are some more great ways to make turkey burgers!
Classic Turkey Burger: Start with ground turkey and season it with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder. Cook on the grill or stovetop until thoroughly cooked. Top with your favorite cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of tangy mayo or ketchup.
Mediterranean Delight: Mix ground turkey with chopped spinach, feta cheese, minced red onion, and Greek seasoning. Serve it in a whole-wheat pita and garnish with cucumber slices and tzatziki sauce.
Southwestern Spice: Combine ground turkey with chili powder, cumin, and minced jalapeños for a kick of heat. Top your burger with avocado slices, fresh salsa, and a sprinkle of shredded pepper jack cheese.
Asian Fusion: Mix ground turkey with grated ginger, soy sauce, and chopped scallions for an Asian-inspired twist. Serve on a sesame seed bun with shredded cabbage and drizzle with teriyaki sauce.
Ingredients for Turkey Bacon Burgers
1 pound ground turkey
4 ounces feta cheese
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 slices bacon
4 brioche buns
2 ounces garlic aioli sauce
2 ounces BBQ sauce
How to make Turkey Bacon Burgers
First, get a nice big bowl and mix the ground turkey, feta cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper together.
Form into 4 patties and add them to a hot cast iron skillet. I like to add a little olive oil in the skillet before I add the patties to keep them from sticking.
That is my favorite Lodge cast iron skillet shown in the picture, I use it for all kinds of recipes! So now just let each side get nice and brown.
Then pop the whole pan in the oven at 350 degrees until the middle reaches 165 degrees.
Remove them from the oven when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. I use a meat thermometer for this and a lot of other recipes. It makes things so much easier because you know for sure when things are done and won’t overcook or undercook you meats!
To toast the buns, butter each inside piece of the bun. Heat a skillet on high heat, then place the buns butter side down until it is nice and brown.
Cook the bacon up however you choose. I really like my microwave bacon cooker! It only takes a couple minutes to cook all your bacon up and it has a nice little lid so the grease doesn’t get all over the place.
Now it’s time to assemble the burgers!
Spread some of the aioli sauce on the buns, then put the patties on, next add the bacon, and then last add the BBQ sauce over the top. Top it off with the top bun and ENJOY!
Turkey Bacon Burgers
Description
Turkey Bacon Burgers smothered with garlic aioli BBQ sauce. So juicy and deliciously topped with a toasted brioche bun.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°
- Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat with a little bit of oil added.
- In a big bowl, add the ground turkey, feta cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix together and form into 4 patties.
- Add the patties to the cast iron skillet and cook on both sides until evenly browned. About 3-5 minutes a side.
- Transfer to the oven and finish cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°
- While the patties are in the oven, cook the bacon with your preferred method. Let the bacon cool on paper towels.
- Butter the insides of the brioche buns and toast on a skillet over med-high heat until lightly browned.
- Assemble the burgers with the garlic aioli sauce, bacon, and BBQ sauce.
Check out some more yummy recipes!
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff: Crockpot beef stroganoff made with beef stew meat in a creamy gravy sauce. A slow cooked, easy, and delicious family meal.
Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs: Delicious slow cooker baby back ribs, all done in the crock pot! Meat that just falls off the bone, cooked in a homemade BBQ sauce!
Baked BBQ Chicken Wings: Crispy oven baked chicken wings, seasoned and then smothered in BBQ sauce. Perfect appetizer or an easy weeknight meal!
Homemade Baked Beans: Homemade baked beans that are made with crispy bacon, onion, green pepper, molasses, and brown sugar. Easy to throw together and tastes even better when made ahead.
Italian Pasta Salad: Easy Italian pasta salad that is bursting with color and flavor! Lots of veggies and tri-color pasta make this a beautiful side dish for a party.
Classic Macaroni Salad: Macaroni salad is a summertime classic, with its creamy dressing, tantalizing mix-ins, and refreshing flavors, it’s the perfect dish for any gathering.
Southwest Chicken Wraps: Southwest chicken wraps with a zesty flavor, makes a quick and healthy lunch! Filled with lettuce, tomato, black beans, corn, and red pepper.
