Turkey Jalapeño Burgers are plump, lean and juicy, and will bring all the flavour to your summer cookout! They're seasoned with a simple spice mixture, diced jalapeño, fresh cilantro and chopped onion. No eggs or breadcrumbs required, and you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste!
Turkey jalapeño burgers have been my go-to burger recipe for so many years, I can't even remember when I started making them. We love them grilled on the BBQ during the summer, or cooked on the stovetop during the fall and winter months.
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Enjoying these spicy turkey burgers is a priority for us year round!
And using lean ground turkey helps keep our love for burgers on the healthier side.
If you love turkey burgers like we do, you'll also want to check out these air fryer turkey burgers!
And, if you have ground chicken on hand, definitely try these air fryer chicken patties. They're perfect to serve as crispy breaded chicken burgers!
*This post was originally published in June 2018. It has been updated with new photos and text, including helpful tips for readers and a few adjustments to the recipe.
Details on a few ingredients
- Ground turkey: Fresh extra lean ground turkey works best in these burgers. Lean will work too, and if you only have frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Thawed ground turkey may be a little wet, so letting the burger patties firm up in the refrigerator an hour before grilling will be important.
- Jalapeño: I used a small seeded jalapeño in this recipe, which resulted in moderately spicy burgers. If you like your burgers more or less spicy, just adjust the amount of jalapeño you add.
- Cilantro: The recipe calls for just one-quarter cup of chopped cilantro, resulting in a very subtle flavour. If you're not a fan of cilantro, try substituting with fresh parsley.
- Onion: One small, finely chopped onion adds a lot of flavour and helps add moisture to the burgers.
- Garlic: I used fresh garlic in this recipe, which you can mince, press or finely chop. If you prefer garlic powder, just use half a teaspoon in place of the two cloves.
How to prepare and grill jalapeño turkey burgers
- Step 1: Add the ground turkey, spices and chopped ingredients to a large bowl.
- Step 2: Using a fork or your hands, mix everything together until well incorporated.
- Step 3: Shape into 4 patties that are about 1-inch thick. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Step 4: Grease your grill liberally and preheat for about 10 minutes. Place the patties on the grill, close the cover and cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Flip the patties over and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Since these burgers require refrigeration before grilling, they're ideal for making in advance. You can make them an hour before, or even the night before. Just wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to grill.
Yes. Just wrap the raw patties individually in plastic wrap and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove them from the baking sheet, and store in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before grilling.
Turkey burgers should always be well done. You want them juicy but they shouldn't have any pink in the middle. But it's a delicate balance, as they also overcook quickly and dry out. That's why a meat thermometer is the best way to check for doneness. Ground turkey is safe when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Yes. Add a small amount of oil to a grill pan or cast iron skillet and preheat for about 5 minutes. Add the burgers and cover and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
While the pepper, onion and cilantro add some moisture, the key to keeping turkey burgers juicy is to minimize the amount of dry ingredients you add and avoid over mixing them. You should also avoid over cooking them and flip the burgers only once during cooking.
Leftover burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat them, just microwave for 45-60 seconds or until just heated through. Be careful not to overheat as the burgers will get tough.
Additional recipe tips and substitutions
- Make sure you finely chop your jalapeño pepper and onion so they blend into the burger mixture. Larger pieces will not cook as well.
- If you like your burgers spicier, feel free to add more jalapeños or even cayenne pepper. If you like them milder, just use half the jalapeño.
- I like to refrigerate the burger patties before grilling them as it lets the flavours blend. It also firms up the patties, which makes them easier to grill. If you don't have time, you can skip this step, but your burgers may not hold up on the grill as well.
- Cleaning and greasing the grill liberally with oil will ensure the burgers don't stick onto the grill.
- These burgers are thick, so they take about 8-10 minutes per side over medium-high heat (or medium heat on the stovetop). But grills and stovetops are different, so it's always best to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- When cooking burgers on the grill or stovetop, I usually keep them covered, which keeps the heat in and helps the burgers cook faster
- Can't find ground turkey? No worries. This recipe works well with ground chicken too.
Toppings for turkey jalapeño burgers
- You can't beat the usual burger toppings such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mustard.
- Slices of avocado or a generous serving of guacamole pair nicely with the cilantro and spicy ingredients in these burgers.
- We often sauté mushrooms and spinach and pile them on burgers with some feta or goat cheese. It's a great way to get extra veggies in and the cheese adds another flavour punch.
- These air fryer mushrooms and onions are also a delicious burger topping!
- Creamy homemade sauces/dips also work nicely on these burgers. We love this cashew mayo, creamy jalapeño dip and chipotle dip.
- If you're avoiding grains, you can enjoy these patties in between Boston lettuce leaves or on top of a salad.
What to serve with healthy turkey burgers
- Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Healthier Coleslaw
- Air Fryer Turnip Fries
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Turkey Jalapeño Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) extra lean ground turkey
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, stems removed and finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all of the burger ingredients and mix together until well incorporated but not over mixed.
- Shape into 4 patties about 1-inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Clean and liberally grease an outdoor grill and preheat for 10 minutes.
- Place the burgers on the grill, close the cover and cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Flip the patties over and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165F.
- Remove from heat and serve on a bun with desired toppings.
Notes
- To cook these burgers on the stovetop, add a small amount of oil to a grill pan or cast iron skillet and preheat for 5 minutes. Add the burgers and cover and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
- Fresh ground turkey works best in these burgers. If you only have frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The burger mixture will be wetter, so letting the patties firm up in the refrigerator will be important.
- If you like your burgers spicier, add more jalapeño or cayenne pepper. If you like them milder, just use less jalapeño.
- If you're not a fan of cilantro, try substituting fresh parsley.
- If you don't have fresh garlic cloves, just use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the 2 cloves.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Jalapeños are pretty much my favorite burger addition ever. These sound awesome! I need to try your recipe soon!
Leanne says
Thanks Kelsie! I love jalapenos for a spicy kick. Hope you get to try them soon!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says
The new photos are STUNNING!!! I just want to grab one of those burgers from the screen! We love turkey burgers around here - I'll have to go easy on the jalapeño for the Bugs, but my husband and I will happily take extras! Can't wait to give them a try!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Tasia! You could easily cut back the jalapenos without losing flavour. Hope you and your family like them!
2pots2cook says
This is my idea of perfect office lunch ! Pinned !
Leanne says
Thank you!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Definitely adding these to our summer grilling menu Leanne. I LOVE turkey burgers!
Leanne says
Thanks Mary Ann!
Alex says
These look like amazing burgers, Leanne! I am a huge burger fan - it is my ultimate savoury weakness! So, I just know I am going to love these!
Leanne says
Thank you Alex! We're burger fans too!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
I LOVE YOUR NEW PHOTOS!! Beautiful, Leanne! Your burgers look amazing. Jalapeno is definitely in my flavor palette. Can't wait to try these!
Leanne says
Thanks so much Katherine! Hope you get the chance to make them!