Greek Turkey Burgers

Greek Turkey Burgers are easy to make and full of delicious flavors. These make a perfect summer meal, but we make them all year long in our skillet pan. There is a lot to love about this easy spin on turkey burgers !

Close up photo of Greek Turkey Burgers served on buns with yogurt sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. - 3

I love the flavors of Greek cooking so much, that it’s often the first place my mind goes when I am thinking up new recipes. While there is nothing traditionally Greek about these great Greek turkey burgers, they do pull in some of those flavors. You are sure to love these simple burgers.

What Makes This Recipe Greek Inspired

An easy spin on the classic grilled Turkey Burgers , this Greek inspired version features feta cheese and is topped with a delicious yogurt sauce along with tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. This delicious flavor combination is also featured in my Greek Pasta Salad and Greek Quinoa Salad .

Turkey Burger Recipe

How to Make Turkey Burgers

Here is a brief overview of how to make turkey burgers with a Greek twist! For the full recipe including all measurements and steps, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Combine burger ingredients. Mix very well in a bowl to ensure that the spices are well distributed throughout the burgers.
Divide mixture into patties . In the same bowl that the ingredients were mixed in, gently push the mixture down to level it in the bottom of the bowl. Then divide the mixture evenly into four burgers. (See photo below.)
Shape burgers. They will be roughly four inches across.
Grill. For about five minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. See below for how to make them in a skillet.
Make yogurt sauce. While the burgers are cooking, whisk together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce.
Build the burgers. Place some lettuce on the bottom of the bun. Then add tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. Top with some yogurt sauce and enjoy!

Overhead photo of a bowl of ingredients for Greek Turkey Burgers recipe. - 4

Using Egg and Breadcrumbs

Different than making regular hamburgers, the egg and breadcrumbs in these grilled turkey burgers help to bind the ingredients together and maintain their shape. Their addition also keeps the burgers moist which makes this the best turkey burger recipe. The breadcrumbs pull moisture from the meat so it stays in the burger rather than evaporating during cooking.

While they add some calories to your burger, a little bit of bread crumbs and egg whites seem worth it to make a turkey burger you actually want to eat. Make a batch of homemade breadcrumbs in just a few minutes!

Homemade Breadcrumbs

Overhead photo of a mixing bowl of ingredients for Greek Turkey Burgers recipe. - 5

Good news! You can make these homemade turkey burgers anytime of year by making them on the your stovetop. Simply heat a lightly greased skillet and cook the burgers for five minutes, then flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overhead photo of Greek Turkey Burgers in a skillet. Buns and two glasses of beer beside skillet. - 6

How Long to Cook Turkey Burgers

Turkey is considered fully cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, so that is the goal with this recipe. Overcooked turkey burgers will be dry which we want to avoid. The best way to make sure your Greek turkey burgers are done without being overcooked is to use a meat thermometer .

Meat Thermometer

Yogurt Sauce

The yogurt sauce that tops the burgers is a creamy and flavorful addition. With just three ingredients (plus salt and pepper), this sauce whips up in a snap. Make a whole batch for your burgers and use the leftovers for dipping cucumbers!

Yogurt Sauce

Tips and Tricks

Don’t overmix the meat mixture. To prevent it from compacting, handle the meat as little as possible when mixing the ingredients to make the burgers.
Don’t overcook the burgers. If they are overcooked they will be dry. Monitor the internal temperature to make sure they are fully cooked and removed from the skillet or grill once they are done. I recommend using a meat thermometer to do this.
Refrigerate the patties before grilling. These burgers hold together really well, but if you are worried about the burgers falling apart, place the formed patties in the refrigerator for an hour before you grill them to allow them to set.

Although it would make the burgers less Greek and may give them a dryer consistency, you can leave out the feta or replace it with mozzarella.

As written, they are not gluten free due to the breadcrumbs.

If your burgers are dry and tough there is a good chance that they are overcooked or were overmixed. To make sure they stay moist, watch the internal temperature and use egg and breadcrumbs as directed in the recipe.

Make Ahead and Freezing

These burgers can be made the night before by mixing them and forming them into patties. Be sure to stack them with wax paper between the patties and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator so they don’t stick together.

Additionally, you could do the same method of stacking and freeze them. These would store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months. They can be cooked from frozen, just know that you will have to cook them a bit longer and monitor their internal temperature.

Close up photo of Greek Turkey Burgers served on buns with yogurt sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. - 8

What To Serve With Turkey Burgers

Baked Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Broccoli
Corn Salad
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Ingredients

Greek Turkey Burger Patties

16 ounces ground turkey (93% lean)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 egg whites whisked
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3.5 ounces feta cheese fat free works great (2/3 cup)
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Yogurt Sauce

1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Greek Turkey Burgers

4 buns
tomato
red onion
cucumbers

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the patties. Divide the mixture into fourths. Shape them into patties. 16 ounces ground turkey, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 2 egg whites, 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme, 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 3.5 ounces feta cheese, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preheat the grill to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease the grill. Add the patties and grill for five minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the burgers cook, whisk together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce. 1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Construct the burgers by placing some lettuce on the bottom of the bun. Then add tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices. Top with some yogurt sauce (about a tablespoon). Serve and enjoy!

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