Homemade Turkey Smash Burgers

I'll be honest, I used to think turkey burgers were dry, bland, and boring.

And many turkey burger recipes I’ve tried over the years left a lot to be desired. Full of unnecessary filler ingredients like eggs and breadcrumbs, these turkey burgers would turn out dense and more like meatloaf than a burger.

So, I decided enough was enough. I was going to make the best turkey burger ever.

A good turkey burger needs to be perfectly caramelized on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside. And it needed to be full of flavor, not fillers.

For these turkey smash burgers, I added just a few ingredients to the burger mixture for both flavor and moisture. Then, the turkey burgers are smashed into a hot skillet, which gets them nice and crispy on the outside.

The end result is a flavorful, moist, and delicious turkey burger that you’ll be craving again and again.

>> Want to use your air fryer instead? Try this Air Fryer Turkey Burger recipe.

What is a Smash Burger?

A smash burger is exactly what it sounds like - a burger that is smashed onto a hot griddle or skillet.

Smashing a burger patty into a ripping-hot skillet creates a fantastic crust and a super flavorful, juicy burger. This style of burger has been popularized by the fast-food chain Smashburger.

Are Turkey Smash Burgers Healthy?

These homemade turkey smash burgers are a leaner, healthier alternative to the classic smash burger found at fast food restaurants.

Often, fast food burgers are loaded with saturated fat and trans fat. When you make burgers at home, you have complete control over the ingredients you use.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Seared- Smashed into a scorching-hot skillet, these burgers develop the most deliciously crispy crust.
• Moist & Juicy- The added ingredients, along with the quick cooking time, keep the ground turkey from drying out.
• Lightened Up- Made at home with lean ground turkey, these burgers taste just as good as the fast food version, but with less fat and calories. 
• Ready in 35 Minutes- The turkey burger mixture takes just minutes to mix up. Then, each burger only takes about 5 minutes to cook.
• Only 9 Ingredients- Most of the ingredients used to make the turkey smash burger mixture are pantry staples like ketchup and mustard.
• Doubles Easily- Cooking for a party? This recipe can easily be doubled to make more burgers or to make double-patty smash burgers.
• Customizable- This smashed turkey burger recipe is a basic turkey burger that pairs well with all your favorite toppings. Get creative and customize your burger however you like.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Ground Turkey- For this recipe, I use 93% lean ground turkey. A little bit of fat is needed to help the turkey burgers caramelize and develop a deliciously crispy crust.
• Ketchup- Contributing a little sweetness and some moisture, ketchup helps make these homemade smash burgers super flavorful and juicy. Since ketchup contains sugar, it also assists in achieving that beautiful sear we're going for.
• Worcestershire Sauce- Adds moisture and a salty umami flavor.
• Dijon Mustard- Mustard brings a bit of a vinegar-like acidity to the turkey burger, which balances out the sweetness from the ketchup and the saltiness from the Worcestershire sauce.
• Seasonings- Garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and kosher salt give the burgers a savory flavor.
• Canola Oil- A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is perfect for searing turkey burgers at high temperatures.
• Buns- Sesame seed buns or potato buns are my go-to hamburger buns.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this ground turkey smash burger recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Ground Turkey- Swap the 93% lean ground turkey for 85% lean ground turkey,  ground chicken, or ground beef. I don’t recommend using 99% lean ground turkey as the burgers will end up too dry.
• Ketchup- Substitute ketchup for tomato paste, marinara sauce, sriracha, BBQ sauce, or hot sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce- Soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos make great Worcestershire sauce substitutes.
• Dijon Mustard- Replace dijon mustard with yellow mustard, brown mustard, or stone-ground mustard.
• Seasonings- Swap the garlic powder for 2 cloves of grated garlic and the onion powder for 2 tablespoons of grated onion.
• Canola Oil- Any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point works well in this recipe.
• Buns- Swap the potato bun for a gluten-free burger bun, a brioche roll, or a lettuce wrap.

Variations

• Gluten-Free- Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and mustard to make gluten-free turkey smash burgers. And don’t forget to serve them on gluten-free buns!
• Low-Carb- Serve turkey smash burgers on lettuce wraps to make them low-carb friendly.
• Spicy- Swap the ketchup for hot sauce or add a few shakes of cayenne pepper to the burger mixture to give these turkey burgers a spicy kick.
• BBQ- Use your favorite BBQ sauce in place of the ketchup in the turkey burger mixture. Then, spread even more BBQ sauce on top when they're done cooking.

Equipment Notes

Here are some notes on any special equipment I used to make this recipe.

• Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle- A well-seasoned cast iron skillet or cast iron griddle is perfect for making turkey smash burgers because they are naturally non-stick and can handle the high heat used to sear the burgers. Cast iron is great at retaining heat, which means the burgers cook evenly.
• Metal Spatula- The perfect tool for smashing turkey burgers, a large metal spatula comes in handy for this recipe.
• Meat Thermometer- A meat thermometer allows you to check the burgers for doneness.
• Splatter Screen- If you’re making these turkey smash burgers on the stovetop, a splatter screen helps reduce the amount of oil that comes flying out of the skillet and onto your stovetop.

Did You Know? Cast iron skillets are eco-friendly. These naturally non-stick skillets don’t contain harmful chemicals, are long-lasting, and are infinitely recyclable. A good cast iron skillet is a worthwhile and sustainable investment for your kitchen.

Tips for Buying a Cast Iron Skillet

Many enjoy discovering antique cast iron skillets at thrift stores or antique shops and restoring them at home. Alternatively, restored cast iron skillets can often be found on online marketplaces like Etsy.

In case you prefer to purchase a new one, I suggest considering Lodge brand products. Lodge's cast iron skillets are reasonably priced, of excellent quality, and manufactured in the United States.

How to Make Turkey Smash Burgers

Here is how to make these smashed turkey burgers.

Step 1: Make the turkey burger mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, and seasonings. Add the ground turkey and use your hand to mix everything together until well incorporated.

Step 2: Portion into balls. Roll the ground turkey burger mixture into 6 equal-sized balls. Set aside.

Stovetop Instructions

Step 3: Smash the turkey burgers. Heat a layer of canola oil over medium heat in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet until very hot. Smash the turkey burgers into the skillet, cooking in batches if necessary. Scrape out any burnt bits in between each batch to reduce the amount of smoking.

Step 4: Cook the turkey burgers. Cook for 4-5 minutes on the first side. Then, flip the burgers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. The burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If topping with cheese, do so during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Serve on a toasted bun with your favorite burger toppings!

Grill Instructions

Step 3: Prepare the skillet. Preheat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet on the grill over high heat with the lid closed.

Step 4: Smash turkey burgers. Once the skillet is hot, add enough canola oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Place one turkey burger ball into the skillet, immediately pressing the burger flat using your spatula. Repeat with another turkey burger ball. Smash as many turkey burgers as will comfortably fit in your skillet, working in batches if necessary.

Step 5: Cook turkey burgers. Cook the turkey burgers over high heat with the grill lid open for 3-4 minutes per side or until a meat thermometer registers 165°F. If topping with cheese, do so during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Serve on a toasted bun with your favorite burger toppings!

Tips for Success

• Don’t overwork the meat. Mixing the ground turkey too vigorously may cause it to toughen up. Instead, mix the ground turkey with the other ingredients until just combine, then gently roll into balls.
• Be prepared before you start cooking. Have all of your ingredients ready to go before you start cooking. Smashed turkey burgers cook quickly so, it’s best to have everything prepared near the grill or stove.
• Use a rolling pin to help smash the burgers. I like to use a dowel-style rolling pin to press down on the spatula when smashing the burgers.
• Wet the spatula to prevent sticking. Wetting the bottom of my spatula with a little water helps stop it from sticking to the raw turkey burger. Alternatively, a little cooking spray works as well.
• Clean the skillet between burgers. If you have to cook your burgers in batches, I find it helpful to scrape up any burnt bits between each batch. Doing so will reduce the amount of smoke the skillet gives off and prevent any off-flavors from developing on the burgers.

What to Serve With Turkey Smash Burgers

Burger Toppings

• Fresh Vegetables- Classic fresh vegetable toppings include lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, jalapeño, spinach, and arugula.
• Cooked Vegetables- Sautéed mushrooms, onions, and peppers can really take your burger to the next level. Fried onion rings or roasted red peppers are also amazing additions.
• Cheese- Cheddar cheese and American cheese are classic. But Swiss, muenster, pepper jack, feta, and goat cheese are also delicious on smash burgers.
• Pickles- Of course, garlic dill pickles are delicious with turkey burgers. But, pickled red onions, pickled banana peppers, and other pickled vegetables can be used as well.
• Condiments- Mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish, BBQ sauce, ranch, and Thousand Island dressing are all delicious on this burger.
• Other Ideas Include- Bacon, guacamole, fried egg, microgreens, fresh herbs, fruit salsa, coleslaw, chili, hummus, hot sauce, pesto, macaroni and cheese, kimchi, and pulled pork.

Need help deciding which toppings are best for your burger? Check out these articles on the Best Tomato for Burgers, the Best Lettuce for Burgers, and the Best Onions for Burgers.

Side Dishes

While topping the burger is arguably half the fun, we can’t forget about side dishes!

Burgers and potato side dishes are a classic pairing. Good old-fashioned french fries are what you typically see being served at a fast food restaurant. But, baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, potato salad, and mashed potatoes are also great choices.

For a lighter side dish, try pairing your smashburger turkey burger with a Spinach Caprese Salad, Mediterranean Ancient Grain Salad, or Red Lentil Pasta Salad.

Roasted vegetables are also delicious paired with turkey burgers. Some of my favorites include Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli, and Oven-Roasted Carrots and Green Beans.

A few other ideas include fruit salad, baked beans, onion rings, coleslaw, corn on the cob, potato chips, chips and salsa, and macaroni and cheese.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store leftover ground turkey smash burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer- Wrap leftover turkey burgers in plastic wrap before storing them inside a freezer-safe plastic bag or container. Freeze cooked turkey smash burgers for up to 3 months.

Food Safety Tip: If you are serving turkey smash burgers to a crowd, remember that you should not leave meat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How to Reheat

When it comes to reheating turkey burgers, it’s best to reheat them separately from any bread and toppings. If your leftover turkey burgers are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

• Stovetop- Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey burger and a tablespoon of water to the skillet and cover it with a lid. Steam the leftover burgers for 2-3 minutes or until fully warmed through.
• Oven- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftover turkey burgers on a rimmed baking sheet. Add a splash of water and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Heat for 7-10 minutes or until fully warmed through.
• Microwave- Place a single leftover turkey smash burger on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel and heat on high in 30-second intervals until fully warmed through.
• Air Fryer- Place turkey burgers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Turn the air fryer to 350°F and heat the burgers for 2-3 minutes or until hot.

Make Ahead

You can make the turkey burger mixture up to one day in advance of cooking the burgers. Simply portion the mixture into turkey burger balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate them until ready to cook. 

Alternatively, you can freeze the raw, prepared turkey burger balls for 3-4 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

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