The Ultimate Turkey Smash Burger – Lean and Flavor-Packed

 

Juicy, crispy-edged, and bursting with flavor, these Turkey Smash Burgers will change the way you think about ground turkey burgers forever! With a golden crust seared into every patty and savory juices locked in from the "smash" technique, these turkey burgers bring bold diner-style feelings and flavors to your table with a leaner, lighter, and healthier twist!

If you are like me, you are a huge fan of Smash Burgers. (No surprise there.)   A burger with beautifully brown and crispy edges does it for me every time!  

You might think that it is impossible to get that using ground turkey?  Think again! These delicious burgers hit the tasty burger ball right out of the park! I would even go so far as to say these are even better than traditional Beef Smash Burgers. A bold statement to make, I know!

  

Two secret ingredients ensure that these tasty burgers are loaded with flavor and juiciness. Melted butter in the meat mixture ensures that they are always juicy and never dry.  The special seasoning I use also helps to create an exceptionally delicious burger. 

Served on a toasted bun with shredded lettuce and pickles, I also include a simple to make homemade burger sauce that has bags of flavor, packing just a tiny bit of heat. 

I have chosen to top them with rich and creamy herb and garlic cheddar cheese slices, which really takes them over the top to flavor-town as Guy Fieri would say.  This is a turkey burger that will have everyone scrambling for seconds. You may want to double the recipe just in case! You have been warned!!

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE TURKEY SMASH BURGERS

Some pretty simple ingredients and three very key secret ingredients!  Trust me, these three things make all the difference in the world, taking these simple burgers from delicious to over-the-top TASTY!!

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup (110g) good-quality mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (61g) tomato ketchup
• 1 TBS Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp green tabasco sauce

For the burgers:

• 1 pound (453g) ground turkey (a mix of dark and light is best)
• 1 TBS Kinders Buttery Garlic and Herb Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp coarse black pepper
• 1 TBS butter, melted
• oil for the pan

To serve:

• 4 toasted burger buns
• shredded lettuce
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese (I used Cracker Barrel Cheddar, Herb & Garlic)
• Thinly sliced sweet onion
• sliced pickles

 

The sauce is very simple. I used Kewpie Mayonnaise and Heinz tomato ketchup. Dijon mustard adds just a tiny bit of heat and is not as sharp or vinegary as traditional yellow mustard.  Green Tabasco sauce adds a lovely flavor note and some heat to the mix.

Make sure you use garlic powder and NOT garlic salt. 

These are my secret ingredients, which add a wonderful depth of flavor to the burger mixture and finished burger.  In addition to a tablespoon of melted butter, which gets added to the ground turkey (this helps to keep the burgers moist), the Kinder's seasoning adds a lovely buttery and herby flavor.  I love this stuff and use it a lot.  Don't worry, 1 TBS is just the right amount.

This cheese is phenomenal as a burger topping. It is rich with a deep cheddar flavor with a nice hit of garlic and herbs. You can of course use regular sandwich slices or American cheese, but trust me when I tell you this cheese makes a delicious difference!

 

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY SMASH BURGERS

These are really very simple to make. The key thing is to use a heavy-bottomed skillet that retains heat. Don't worry, the melted butter that you add to the burger mixture helps them to stay moist and juicy!

• Crumble the ground turkey into a bowl. Add the melted butter, seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix together just to combine.
• Divide into 4 evenly shaped balls.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of oil. (I used avocado oil spray)
• Add two balls of the turkey and immediately smash them down as thin as you can. Cook for two to three minutes.
• Flip the burgers over and add a slice of cheese to the top of each. Cook for a further two to three minutes. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
• Repeat with the remaining two burgers. They will be done when the interior temperature measures 165*F/74*C.

 

• While the burgers are cooking, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together until well combined.
• Toast the buns on the cut sides. (I do this under the broiler and yes, I spread them with a touch of butter first.)
• To serve, place the toasted bun bottoms on plates. Top with a portion of the spicy burger sauce and the sliced onions. Add the burgers and top with shredded lettuce, pickles, and the top of the bun.
• Serve immediately. (Note: if you are making a double burger, then top the first patty with the second before adding the remaining ingredients.)

 

WHY CHOOSE GROUND TURKEY INSTEAD OF BEEF?

There are many benefits to eating turkey, or ground turkey in this case, rather than beef.

1.  It is a high source of protein which aids in muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall body function. It also helps you to feel full faster.
2. When consumed without the skin, turkey is lower in fat than beef. This helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and helps support heart health.
3. It is rich in essential nutrients. Packed with selenium (a cancer-preventing anti-oxidant), B-Vitamins (crucial for brain health and energy metabolism), Zinc, and Phosphorus (metabolic processes and bone health).
4.  It is heart-healthy. Naturally low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
5.  Better for Diabetics. Its low glycemic index helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It is a protein-rich food that will not spike your blood sugar levels.
6.  It's good for the brain. Turkey contains high levels of tryptophan, which is an amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin, the "feel good" hormone.

 

CHECK OUT SOME OF MY OTHER TURKEY BURGER RECIPES!

Are you a fan of turkey burgers? If so, you might also enjoy these other tasty options!

LOW-CARB TURKEY BURGERS - Skip the bun with these delicious low-carb turkey burgers. These delicious turkey burgers turn out juicy and flavorful every single time you make them. They are also very quick to make.  Seared to perfection on both sides with locked-in flavor and juiciness, they never disappoint! Served on top of an iceberg lettuce steak with a melty cheese slice on top of the burger and plenty of minced red onion. I promise you won't miss the bun!

SPICY RANCH TURKEY BURGERS - From the cool and creamy ranch slaw that gets tucked into the buttery toasted bun to the spiciness of the burger, these are a real taste sensation! You can melt a slice of Pepper Jack cheese on top for even more spice!

TURKEY DIVAN BURGERS - Juicy and moist and filled with a delicious blend of flavors.  Chopped broccoli, grated cheddar, minced red onions, curry powder, and a lemon mayo all combined with ground turkey to make a really delicious patty. Grilled, topped with a slice of cheese, and served on a toasty bun with shredded lettuce and thinly sliced red onion, these always go down a real treat! 

Pin This Recipe To Your Supper or Dinner Boards and Remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST,    FACEBOOK  , or INSTAGRAM

That way, you can be assured that you are always up to date with fresh content as soon as I post it. You can also sign up to receive a weekly newsletter from Grow. 

Yield: 4 single or 2 double

Author: Marie Rayner

Turkey Smash Burgers

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 6 MinTotal time: 21 Min

Two delicious secret ingredients and a super creamy and delicious homemade burger sauce ensure that these are the tastiest turkey burgers ever!

Ingredients

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup (110g) good-quality mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (61g) tomato ketchup
• 1 TBS Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp green tabasco sauce

For the burgers:

• 1 pound (453g) ground turkey (a mix of dark and light is best)
• 1 TBS Kinders Buttery Garlic and Herb Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp coarse black pepper
• 1 TBS butter, melted
• oil for the pan

To serve:

• 4 toasted burger buns
• shredded lettuce
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese (I used Cracker Barrel Cheddar, Herb & Garlic)
• Thinly sliced sweet onion
• sliced pickles

Instructions

1. Crumble the ground turkey into a bowl. Add the melted butter, seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix together just to combine.
2. Divide into 4 evenly shaped balls.
3. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of oil. (I used avocado oil spray)
4. Add two balls of the turkey and immediately smash them down as thin as you can. Cook for two to three minutes.
5. Flip the burgers over and add a slice of cheese to the top of each. Cook for a further two to three minutes. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
6. Repeat with the remaining two burgers. They will be done when the interior temperature measures 165*F/74*C.
7. While the burgers are cooking, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together until well combined.
8. Toast the buns on the cut sides. (I do this under the broiler and yes, I spread them with a touch of butter first.)
9. To serve, place the toasted bun bottoms on plates. Top with a portion of the spicy burger sauce and the sliced onions. Add the burgers and top with shredded lettuce, pickles, and the top of the bun.
10. Serve immediately. (Note: if you are making a double burger, then top the first patty with the second before adding the remaining ingredients.)

All rights reserved The English Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen

This content, written and photography, is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com.

 

Thanks for visiting! Do come again!! 

 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right-hand side of the screen.