Southwest Turkey Burgers with Guacamole

Southwest turkey burgers are tender and juicy, with a little kick from jalapeno peppers. Top with guacamole or chipotle mayo and load them up with your favorite burger toppings!

If you ask me, turkey burgers are just as tasty as their beefy counterparts. We love a good classic juicy turkey burger, and Greek turkey burgers when we want to get creative. Another creative option? These delicious Southwest turkey burgers!

This patty is so juicy and flavorful, it will be love at first bite! With a simple ingredients list that enhances the natural turkey flavors, we are giving it a little Southwestern flare with lime zest, chili powder, cumin, and jalapeno peppers.

Top it with guacamole or chipotle mayonnaise, and your favorite burger toppings for a simple and tasty dinner that is absolutely perfect for summer!

Recipe video

Wondering how these Southwest turkey burgers come together? Watch this 1-minute video to see how easy it is to prep! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

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The key to juicy turkey burgers

It's all in the type of ground turkey that you use: make sure you use ground turkey with some fat. Often, ground turkey will simply be labelled 'ground turkey', which is confusing. This type of ground turkey is a mix of light and dark meat and works perfectly in turkey burgers.

Make sure you avoid anything labelled 'lean ground turkey' or 'ground turkey breast', as the absence of fat will likely lead to drier and far less juicy burgers.

Ingredients we'll need

We are adapting our favorite classic turkey burgers with a few simple add ins to give it a Southwestern kick:

• ground turkey- remember to pick a mixture of light and dark meat and to avoid anything 'lean'
• egg- provides moisture to the burgers, helping them stick together
• breadcrumbs- provides structure to the burgers so they don't fall apart
• worcestershire sauce- enhances the natural turkey flavors
• salt- brings all the flavors together
• garlic- adds flavor dimension to the patties
• jalapenos- adds a kick of heat and jalapeno flavor in each bite
• cumin- brings a Southwestern flavor to the patties
• chili powder- not to be confused with 'pure chili powder', this is a blend of spices that brings a distinctive Southwestern flavor
• lime- zest only, this brings bright citrus flavor without the sourness that lime juice can have.

Forming the patties

1. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl.
2. Mix with a spoon or your hands. I recommend using your hands as you will not over-mix the meat, which can lead to dense patties.
3. Divide the mixture in 4 and place ¼ of the batch in the palm of your hand.
4. Using your other hand, work the patties into a 3-4 inch diameter disk.
5. Flatten the patties to an even thickness no more than 1 inch thick
6. Place a slight indentation in the middle of the patty- this helps prevent the burgers from puffing up in the middle.

Cooking the burgers

When it comes to turkey burgers, the most common ways to cook them are on the grill or in a frying pan. Personally, I prefer the frying pan as I find they do not dry out as easily as they do on a grill. Additionally, cooking in oil in a pan provides added fats which keep the patties moist.

How to pan fry

1. Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to the bottom of a 12-inch frying pan (enough so that it coats the surface). Heat until a drop of water sizzles when dropped into the pan. Gently add the burgers into the pan and cook for 4 minutes.
2. Carefully flip the burgers, and cook for another 4 minutes.
3. Check to ensure the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If burgers need longer, flip them again to help them cook evenly.

How to grill

Be extra careful when grilling these burgers as they are delicate when raw. You may wish to add an extra ¼ cup of breadcrumbs to add more structure to the patty if you plan on grilling.

1. Heat grill to 450°F. Grease the grill well with oil.
2. Carefully place the turkey burgers on the grill, and cook for 4 minutes per side. Work carefully as the patties are delicate when raw, but firm up when cooked.
3. Check with to ensure burgers have reached an internal temperature of 155°F.
4. Remove from grill and place on a clean plate. Cover with a bowl to rest for 5 minutes. Carry over cooking should help the burgers reach an internal temp of 165°F.

Prep ahead and storage directions

Burgers work surprisingly well for meal prep! Here are some tips for prepping them ahead:

Fridge

• patties may be formed up to 24 hours before cooking. Store in a covered container in the fridge
• after cooking through, patties may be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
• reheat- heat in a covered pan for 3-4 minutes per side, or until heated through

Freezer

• to freeze raw patties, arrange on a baking sheet, then freeze for 2-3 hours until frozen through. Transfer to a freezer bag or meal prep container, placing strips of wax paper or parchment paper between the patties
• to cook from frozen: oil the grill well, then cook frozen burgers over medium-high heat for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes

Find my favorite freezer containers here

More summery dinners

• Freaking Amazing Pork Tenderloin Marinade
• Perfect Grilled Chicken Breast
• Turkey Zucchini Lasagna
• Baked Turkey Meatballs (+7 Flavors)
• Healthy Taco Salad