Green Chile Turkey Burgers
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Green Chile Turkey Burgers combine juicy patties infused with the zesty flavor of green chilies, adding a spicy kick to your burger experience. Made with lean turkey meat and seasoned with a flavorful spice blend, they offer a healthier twist to the classic burger.
Interested in other burger recipes? Try our Grilled Salmon Burgers or Goat Cheese Burgers next!
Best Turkey Burgers
I enjoy using ground turkey in many of my recipes, like in my Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers, Sweet Potato Turkey Chili, and a simple Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet. To me, it tastes very similar to ground beef.
When it comes to burgers, ground turkey needs more doctoring up than beef. Which is why I’ve added a handful of ingredients to this recipe for extra flavor. And believe me, it works!
Why we love this recipe:
- SIMPLE. Just four ingredients plus seasonings to your perfect burger.
- FULL OF FLAVOR. The green chiles and handful of seasonings add incredible southwest flavor.
- IMPRESSIVE. While these are simple, they make an impressive burger for family and friends. Add grilled buns and all the condiments for a great burger!
- GREAT LEFT OVER. These make the best patty melts. Slice them in half (the long way) and grill between two places of sourdough bread, along with some grilled onions and extra cheese.
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground Turkey – For four 6-ounce burgers, you’ll need about 24 ounces.
- Green Chiles – I used the hot version of canned chiles and they added incredible flavor without being too spicy.
- Red Onion – Minced red onion adds even more flavor.
- Breadcrumbs – Just a bit of breadcrumbs will help hold the burgers together.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How to make Green Chile Turkey Burgers:
Step 1
Combine ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the burger ingredients – the ground turkey, green chiles, red onion, breadcrumbs, and seasonings (garlic powder, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper).
Step 2
Form patties. Use your hands to gently combine the ingredients and form four patties. Place on a baking sheet and press your thumb in the middle of each patty.
Step 3
Light grill. Prep an outdoor grill to about medium-high heat, or 400 degrees. We love using our Big Green Egg.
Step 4
Grill burgers. Grill turkey burgers until done, or until a digital thermometer reaches 160 degrees (allowing for a few degrees of carry over cooking).
Step 5
Finish burgers. Top each burger with some pepper jack cheese (or cheese of your choice). Add burgers to some grilled buns!
Some extra toppings include avocado slices, tomato slices, lettuce leaves, or some fried eggs!
NOTE: Turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on a digital thermometer. I always take it off at around 160 to allow for a few more degrees of carry-over cooking.
Can I use hatch chiles in turkey burgers?
Hatch chiles are a type of green chile grown in New Mexico that has a crisp, sweet and smoky flavor. They are normally in season in August and you can either roast hatch chiles in the oven or purchase canned hatch chiles.
I’ve used different versions of canned Green Chiles, but plan to use the fresh hatch chiles in season.
What to serve with Grilled Turkey Burgers:
More Grilling Recipes:
We love using our Big Green Egg or our Memphis Smoker for our outdoor grilling. I’ve got lots of ideas for you to try, including the following!
- Grilled Chicken BLT Salad
- Grilled Steak Kabobs with Vegetables
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
- Smoked Chicken Breasts
No grill? No problem! You can also make these indoors in a cast iron skillet or a grill pan. Just make sure you check for doneness with a digital thermometer. You want them cooked through like you do with chicken!
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Green Chile Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 24 oz. ground turkey – 93% lean
- 4 oz. Green Chiles – drained
- 1/4 cup red onion – minced
- 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- cheese slices – we used pepper jack
- hamburger buns (grilled) – to serve
- lettuce, tomato, mustard – condiments to serve
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the burger ingredients – the ground turkey, green chiles, red onion, breadcrumbs, and seasonings (garlic powder, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper).
- Form patties. Use your hands to gently combine the ingredients and form four patties. Place on a baking sheet and press your thumb in the middle of each patty.
- Light grill. Prep an outdoor grill to 400 degrees.
- Grill burgers. Grill turkey burgers until done, or until a digital thermometer reaches 160 degrees (allowing for a few degrees of carry over cooking).
- Finish burgers. Top each burger with some pepper jack cheese (or cheese of your choice). Add burgers to some grilled buns along with some lettuce and tomato (or other condiments).
This is the best turkey burger ever and I love that it has some kick! Did not miss beef and actually prefer this recipe!
Agreed!
In my opinion, a turkey burger never gets close to a beer burger, but this one makes you think… highly recommend giving these a try
Thanks Josh!