Jalapeno turkey burgers

Delicious and juicy homemade jalapeno turkey burgers made with lean ground turkey, spices and pepper jack cheddar cheese for a flavor-packed dinner or BBQ meal.

Some of you might find this interesting (or not!) but I didn’t eat red meat from the ages of 8 to 21. I downright refused and though I’m sure it perplexed my family, they were surprisingly accommodating. When burger night came around and everyone was chowing down on their beef hamburgers I was enjoying my equally as delicious turkey burger.

Though I started to eat red meat again at 21, I still to this today prefer a turkey burger over a hamburger. We also don’t cook red meat at home (for environmental reasons) so these jalapeno turkey burgers have become our jam! I’ve been tweaking this recipe for a while and I’m thrilled that I finally mastered it. Expect to see it on upcoming Sunday meal plans!

What You Need

Lean ground turkey: I prefer 93-94% lean ground turkey breast
1 large egg
Pepper jack cheddar cheese: Buy a block so you can shred for inside the burgers + slice for on top!
Breadcrumbs: Feel free to replace with gluten-free breadcrumbs or use ground oat flour.
Onion, Garlic + Jalapeno: finely chopped. Deseed the jalapeno for a less spicy burger or leave them for more spicy.
Worcestershire sauce: The key to any good burger is Worcestershire sauce!
Optional: Cilantro – my fave! Skip if you don’t like it.

How to Make Jalapeno Turkey Burgers

STEP 1: Add all ingredients to a large bowl. Stir until well-combined.

STEP 2: Using hands divide mixture into 5 balls. Roll and then lightly flatten jalapeno turkey burgers on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet in fridge to allow burgers to set for at least 30 minutes. You can also cover and leave in fridge overnight.

STEP 3: Heat up grill or grill-pan to medium high heat (at least 450 degrees F). Place turkey burgers directly onto grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.

STEP 4: In last minute of cooking top each patty with a slice of pepper jack cheese. Serve on a bun or lettuce bun with desired toppings.

Make Them On the Stove-Top

My preference for these Jalapeno Turkey Burgers is to cook them on the grill. Nothing like a delicious BBQ burger! However, if you don’t have a grill or would prefer to cook them inside, I’ve got a few options for you.

1. Use a grill pan! I’m a huge fan of this cast-iron grill pan and it honestly works as well as an outdoor BBQ.

2. Cook on a regular stove-top pan. You won’t get the grill marks + smokey flavor, but it still works.

Either way cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden on the outside and juices run clear.

The Best Burger Pairings

What are burgers without the perfect sides? Here are a few delicious options: