• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crumb Top Baking

Healthier Desserts and Savory Recipes

  • Home
  • About & Contact
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / Quick Dinner Recipes / Turkey Jalapeño Burgers

Turkey Jalapeño Burgers

May 21, 2020 By Leanne 50 Comments

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe
Pinterest image for Turkey Jalapeno Burgers - pin 3.
Pinterest image for Turkey Jalapeno Burgers - pin 2.
Pinterest image for Turkey Jalapeno Burgers - pin 1.

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!

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. (An original photo is included at the end of this post so be sure to check out the before and after).

Side view of a turkey jalapeno burger on a wooden board with a glass of beer in the background.

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.

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.

Details on a few ingredients to make jalapeño turkey burgers

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 turkey jalapeño burgers

Collage of 4 images demonstrating how the turkey burgers are made.

  • 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.

Side view of spicy turkey burgers assembled with all the toppings.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make these burgers in advance? 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.

Can you freeze turkey burgers? 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.

How do you know when turkey burgers are done? 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.

Can you cook these burgers on the stovetop? 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.

How do you keep turkey burgers from drying out? 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.

How do you store and reheat leftover turkey burgers? 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.

Overhead view of burgers and burger toppings arranged on a wooden board.

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.

Up-close side view of a jalapeno turkey burger on a wooden board.

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.
  • 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
  • Creamy Jalapeño Dip
  • Healthier Coleslaw

If you make these jalapeño turkey burgers, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

HUNGRY FOR MORE?  Don’t forget to sign up for the Crumb Top Baking Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon heart heart icon heart solid heart solid icon
Side view of a turkey jalapeno burger on a wooden board.

Turkey Jalapeño Burgers

★★★★★ 5 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 70 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 burgers 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

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!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (454 g package) extra lean ground turkey
  • 1/4 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
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add all of the burger ingredients and mix together until well incorporated but not over mixed.
  2. Shape into 4 patties about 1-inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  3. Clean and liberally grease an outdoor grill and preheat for 10 minutes.
  4. 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.
  5. Remove from heat and serve on a bun with desired toppings.

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. If you like your burgers spicier, add more jalapeño or cayenne pepper. If you like them milder, just use less jalapeño.
  4. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try substituting fresh parsley.
  5. If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves, just use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the 2 cloves.
  6. Be sure to check out the FAQ as well as the tips and substitutions section above the recipe for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.

Keywords: turkey burgers, jalapeño burgers, spicy turkey burgers

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crumbtopbaking on Instagram and hashtag it #crumbtopbaking

Older photo of a spicy jalapeno turkey burger.

 

Filed Under: All Recipes, Main Dishes, Quick Dinner Recipes

Previous Post: « Spelt Flour Banana Bread (with Coconut and Chocolate Chips)
Next Post: Strawberry Oat Bars (with Steel Cut Oats) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Terry says

    June 21, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    I love this recipe! I have already tried it and the jalapeños were an amazing addition…definetly a recipe I will repeat!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:12 am

      Thanks Terry! I’m so happy to hear you liked the burgers! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  2. heather (delicious not gorgeous) says

    June 20, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    any burger served with guac sounds good to me!!! but i love how flavorful the patties themselves sound too (:

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:15 am

      Thanks Heather! They’re definitely flavourful on their own! Sometimes I just like to enjoy them with some cheese, lettuce and tomato (and of course, a dill pickle!). Or I even crumble them up as a salad topping! Hope you’re having a great week Heather!

      Reply
  3. Valerie says

    June 19, 2018 at 4:47 pm

    That doesn’t seem like a lot of salt for 1 lb turkey. Has anyone tried and found it lacking salt? With all of the lovely flavors, I would hate for the burger to taste flat for lack of salt (salt being an enhancer of flavors).

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:19 am

      Hi Valerie. I’ve been making these burgers for years and nobody has ever commented that they were lacking salt or flavour. But if additional salt is your preference, you can certainly add more. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  4. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

    June 19, 2018 at 9:38 am

    I’m not a burger person normally, but these bad guys look appealing to me! The addition of cilantro, jalapeno, and guacamole lifts this idea to a more elegant level. Delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:09 am

      Thank you so much Ben! The cilantro and jalapeños add a nice flavour and the guac on top is always a must!

      Reply
  5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    June 18, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I love the spices you’ve added to the turkey meat Leanne! I make turkey burgers quite a bit at our house! I’ll be giving your recipe a try for sure! Love the guac on top!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:08 am

      Thanks so much Mary Ann! I hope you like them! And the guac on top is a must for sure!

      Reply
  6. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    June 18, 2018 at 3:02 pm

    These look amazing, Leanne!! Perfect for summer – and we’re all about the spicy at our house (except for those kids of mine). Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:07 am

      Haha! Thanks Katherine! I knew you would appreciate the spicy! I hope you and your family are having a great start to summer!

      Reply
  7. Helene says

    June 17, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    This reminds me of a salmon burger I once had and loved and forgot about! Can’t wait to try this recipe out.

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:06 am

      Thanks Helene! A salmon burger sounds great! Would love to know what you think if you make these turkey burgers!

      Reply
  8. Neha says

    June 15, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    Certainly with loads of guac, Just like you did. 😉 Those turkey patties look juicy and super tempting! Love the addition of jalapenos. I need to incorporate it in my patties now on!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:04 am

      Thanks Neha! You should totally add some diced jalapeños to your burgers. It adds a nice little kick! I add it to beef burgers too and it works well!

      Reply
  9. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

    June 15, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    These burgers look so juicy and delicious! I think they should be on the menu for Fathers Day for sure!! I like my burgers with just lettuce and tomato. I’m simple hehehehe 🙂

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:03 am

      Thanks Kelly! Nothing wrong with simple. Add some pickles and a cheese slice and I’m right there with ya!

      Reply
  10. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    June 15, 2018 at 11:04 am

    I love that you piled the guac high! And I love the sound of feta, mushrooms, and spinach. They’re both must-tries! These look great, Leanne! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:02 am

      Thanks Kelsie! I like a lot of guac on my turkey burgers! And I’ve since tried the spinach, mushrooms and feta and it was delicious too. Definitely using that as a topping again!

      Reply
  11. patrick@looneyforfood.com says

    June 14, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    Im loving everything about those burgers! Break out the grills.

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:01 am

      Thanks Patrick! I’m so happy it’s grilling season!

      Reply
  12. Lisa | Tiny Kitchen Capers says

    June 14, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    These turkey burgers are jam packed with all of my favorite flavors!! I’ll definitely be making these soon!

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 7:00 am

      Thanks Lisa! They do have a lot of flavour packed in there! Let me know what you think when you make them!

      Reply
  13. Stephanie Power says

    June 14, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    These look so yummy! Totally trying them!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Power says

      June 20, 2018 at 11:31 pm

      Update! I made these for supper this evening. They were fantastic. New summer staple! Thanks Leanne!!!

      Reply
      • Leanne says

        June 22, 2018 at 7:13 am

        Yay! I’m so glad you liked them Stephanie! And thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 6:59 am

      Yay! I hope you like them! Thanks Stephanie!

      Reply
  14. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    June 14, 2018 at 12:45 pm

    One of my faves too, Leanne! Hubby and I enjoy one at least once a month, Guac is definitely a favourite of mine and I understand your love of feta….my fave on a lamb burger. We are having a get together this weekend for Father’s Day so I hope that the weather cooperates. Either way, grilling is happening, lol. Have an awesome weekend 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 6:59 am

      I’ve since tried this turkey burger with feta and sautéed mushrooms and spinach, and it was delicious! Feta on a lamb burger sounds yummy too! Hope you had a great Father’s Day weekend and you’re enjoying the start of summer!

      Reply
  15. marcie says

    June 14, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    I rarely ever share my burger recipes — I just never get around to it! Turkey burgers are my go-to and I can’t wait to try this with my garden jalapenos!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      June 22, 2018 at 6:55 am

      Thanks Marcie! I’m glad I finally got around to sharing this one! I hope you like the recipe with your garden jalapeños! Be sure to let me know what you think!

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Find a Recipe

Meet Leanne

Hey there! I'm Leanne and welcome to Crumb Top Baking. I'm a self-taught baker, home cook and food photographer, and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that help people eat a little healthier and find balance in the recipes they prepare for themselves and their families. Learn more about me and what you'll find on Crumb Top Baking....

Follow Crumb Top Baking

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Healthier Desserts
Dairy-Free Recipes
Gluten-Free Recipes

Search by Recipe Category

Popular Posts

  • Overhead view of air fryer tortilla chips arranged in bowls with dips, beer and jalapenos surrounding it. How to Make Air Fryer ...
  • Three air fried crab cakes arranged on a white plate with herb dip and a lemon wedge. Air Fryer Crab Cakes
  • Three bowls of air fryer carrots arranged on a white surface. Air Fryer Carrots (Three Ways)

Copyright © 2021 crumbtopbaking.com - Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

This site uses cookies. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more information.