Quick-cooking Turkey Smash Burgers are a healthier alternative to the classic ground beef smash burger. And by quick, I mean under 10 minutes, TOPS! Serve them with chips, and you've got the fastest homemade dinner you'll make all week!
Smash burgers are made using a special cooking technique where ground meat is pressed (or smashed) onto a hot, flat-top grill. This results in a quick and even sear, and juicy, flavorful patties.
The thinly pressed burgers are often smothered in melty cheese and served double-stacked on a toasted bun.
When you're not in the mood for Frozen Turkey Burgers (air fryer) or my Healthy Turkey Burger Recipe, this grilled Turkey Smash Burger recipe is a MUST-TRY!
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredients
- Turkey burger toppings
- Equipment needed
- How to make Turkey Smash Burgers
- Expert tips
- Substitutions and variations
- How to store, freeze and reheat
- What to serve with smashed turkey burgers
- Frequently asked questions
- Burger recipes you might also like
- 📖 Recipe
- Hungry for more?
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick-cooking: Smashed turkey burgers only take a few minutes to cook on each side because they're pressed super thin, significantly speeding up the cooking time!
- Moist & Juicy: This is THE BEST turkey smash burger recipe because I add a special ingredient that practically guarantees your burgers will be moist and juicy.
- Flavorful: Seasoned ground turkey patties are pressed onto a hot grill, creating a caramelized, crispy exterior and evenly cooked, juicy interior!
- Healthier: Ground turkey is much lighter and leaner than ground beef, making turkey smash burgers a very healthy alternative to classic smash burgers.
- Versatile: This recipe can easily be adapted to be gluten-free and low-carb.
- Kid-Friendly: Thinly pressed smash burgers are easy to bite into, making them perfect for small children. Another kid-friendly burger option would be my Cheeseburger Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls!
Ingredients
Ground turkey: You should choose ground turkey with a little bit of fat content, and avoid 99% fat-free turkey. The fat will give the burgers some flavor and moisture.
Mayonnaise: Mayo is my "secret" ingredient that really helps to make the burgers moist and juicy! No dry and bland burgers here!
Seasonings: Add to the flavor of the burgers with garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
Butter: Oil the hot grill pan with salted butter. Butter gives the outside of the burgers a golden-brown, buttery, crust.
*A detailed ingredients list and recipe instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Turkey burger toppings
You can stick with your classic smashburger toppings, or get creative with additions like avocado, bacon, BBQ sauce, and caramelized onions.
Sauteed mushrooms, blue cheese, pesto mayo, a fried egg, pickled red onions, burger sauce, and onion rings are a few of my favorites!
Equipment needed
- Flat-top grill: You can use a cast iron flat top griddle, large cast iron skillet, or an outdoor flat-top Blackstone grill.
- Burger press: Smash the burgers using a cast-iron Cuisinart Smash Burger Press or the back of a large spatula. I prefer the burger press!
- Parchment paper: Place parchment paper between the burger press and the raw meat to prevent sticking. I love these large sheets of parchment!
How to make Turkey Smash Burgers
Recipe rundown
- Mix all of the ingredients together (except for the butter).
- Evenly divide the turkey burger mixture into 4 balls.
- Place the balls on your hot grill and smash them into thin patties.
- Cook each smash burger patty for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Top with cheese, burger toppings, and your favorite condiments.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Mix the ground turkey, mayo, and all seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to combine the smash burger recipe ingredients together. Mix until just combined.
Step 2: Divide the burger mixture into four equally-sized balls.
Step 3: Place the smash burger balls onto a preheated, oiled flattop grill over medium heat. Keep them spaced about 3 inches apart.
Cook your burgers in batches if needed.
Step 4: Set a small square of parchment paper on top of your first burger. Firmly press (or smash) the burger using your burger press or the back of a large spatula.
Press until the burger is about ¼ inch thick. Repeat this process until all of your burgers are smashed!
Step 5: Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes per side. Add your cheese (if desired) when about 1 minute of cooking time is remaining.
Step 6: Place the burgers on a toasted bun, add your favorite toppings, and serve them warm!
Expert tips
- A flat-top grill or skillet is a must! If you use a grill pan with grooves or a grill with grates, the burgers will smash right through the grates and will be impossible to flip.
- Placing a small square of parchment paper between your burger press and the raw meat is highly recommended. This prevents the uncooked top of the burger from sticking to the press.
- Preheating your griddle or skillet over medium heat is essential. This helps sear the meat quickly, prevents sticking, and develops that flavorful, golden-brown crust!
- Take your burgers to another level by toasting the buns. While your burgers are resting, place the cut side of the buns on the grill for a few minutes.
- Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving them. Resting redistributes the juices, making them extra juicy and moist!
- Ground turkey is fully cooked when it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure that the burgers have been fully cooked.
Substitutions and variations
Substitutions: Make chicken smash burgers by substituting ground turkey with ground chicken. Feel free to add any of your favorite seasonings!
Variations: Make your burgers spicy with sriracha sauce (or mayo), add feta cheese and tzatziki sauce for Greek-style burgers, or bacon and a fried egg for a breakfast burger!
How to store, freeze and reheat
How to store: Store leftover turkey burgers (without the bun or toppings) in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Turkey burgers store really well, making them perfect for meal prep.
How to freeze: Freeze cooked turkey burger patties in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. When firm, transfer the patties to a freezer bag or air-tight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to reheat: Reheat turkey burgers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes at a time until desired warmth is reached. Reheating in a skillet over low heat is also an option.
What to serve with smashed turkey burgers
My favorite sides to serve with turkey burgers include chips, fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, and salad! You'll also want to try serving them with:
- Potato Salad (without eggs)
- Pesto Pasta Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
- Summer Tortellini Salad
- Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
Frequently asked questions
A smash burger is any burger that is smashed (or pressed) onto a hot grill. The patties are thinly pressed and only need to be cooked for a few minutes per side.
Form raw turkey burgers into patties. Lay the patties flat, in a single layer, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the patties to a ziplock freezer bag. Freeze raw turkey burgers for up to 3 months.
Forming the burgers into tight patties, including a binding agent like eggs or breadcrumbs, and adding fats like mayo to the raw burger mixture are all ways to prevent turkey burgers from falling apart.
Smash burgers are so juicy because they're cooked very quickly, which locks in juices and moisture.
Burger recipes you might also like
📖 Recipe
Turkey Smash Burgers
Quick-cooking Turkey Smash Burgers are a healthier alternative to the classic ground beef smash burger. Seasoned ground turkey patties are pressed onto a hot grill, creating a caramelized, crispy exterior and evenly cooked, juicy interior!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: stove top cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons salted butter (for oiling the skillet)
Optional toppings
- Burger buns
- Cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
Instructions
- Cut a small square of parchment paper to place between your smashed burgers and your burger press. The parchment should be about the same size as your burger press.
- Combine the ground turkey, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the burger mixture into four equally-sized portions. Shape the divided burger portions into round balls.
- Preheat and oil a large cast iron skillet, stove-top griddle, or flat-top grill over medium heat. Use 2-3 tablespoons of butter to oil your flat top.
- Place all four burgers onto the grill. The burgers should be placed about 3 inches apart, with about 3 inches of space around each ball. You need room on all sides of the burger to be able to smash it down. Complete this step in batches if you don't have enough room for all four burgers.
- Place the square of parchment onto your first burger. Press the burger down using your burger press or the back of a large metal spatula, keeping the parchment square between the burger and the burger press. Press until the burger is about ¼ inch thick. Repeat this process for the remaining burgers.
- Cook each burger for about 3-4 minutes per side. Use a digital meat thermometer to make sure the burgers have cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Let the burgers rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. Place them on toasted burger buns, add your favorite toppings and condiments, and enjoy!
Notes
- A flat-top grill or skillet is a must!
- Placing a small square of parchment paper between your burger press and the raw meat is highly recommended. This prevents the uncooked top of the burger from sticking to the press.
- Let the burgers rest for a few minutes before serving them. Resting redistributes the juices, making them extra juicy and moist!
- The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 268
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 310.7 mg
- Fat: 19.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.7 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 22.5 g
- Cholesterol: 96.4 mg
Keywords: turkey smash burgers, smashed turkey burgers
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Katie
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