Long before I had any idea what those words meant, or what an herb even was, I was singing those syllables at the top of my lungs, as a kid in the ’60s playing the vinyl record I bought with allowance money. What these fine herbs were doing in the lyrics of an old English ballad, a lover’s duet no less, I haven’t a clue. But the result was, at least for this kid, a lifelong curiosity about them. What was parsley, or sage? And why would they hang out with rosemary and thyme? Tell you what. They’re great in this turkey burger!
Video: How To Make Herbed Turkey Burgers
The Secret to Juicy Turkey Burgers
Ground turkey is typically much leaner than ground beef. In order to keep the burger from being too dry it helps to use ground dark meat from thighs and legs if you can get it. Adding a little olive oil to the mix helps, too. As for flavor, ground turkey on its own just isn’t as flavorful as ground beef, even if you use ground dark meat as we recommend. But jazzed up with some chopped fresh herbs, a little onion, and garlic? The result is exquisite. A turkey burger worthy of the name “burger.”
Cook on the Grill or Stovetop
You can cook these turkey burgers on either the grill or the stovetop. Make sure your grill or pan is very hot and well-oiled to prevent the burgers from sticking. For either grilling or stovetop cooking, cook the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until cooked through (165°F if using a meat thermometer).
Make Ahead and Freeze
Like most burgers, these turkey burgers freeze well. Shape them into patties, then wrap the raw patties in plastic wrap and freeze in a single layer on a plate or baking sheet in the freezer. Once solid, gather them into a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then cook as per the recipe.
More Great Burgers to Try!
Tuna Burgers with Dill Olive Mayo Pesto White Bean Veggie Burgers Hawaiian Pork Burger Turkey Zucchini Burger with Garlic Mayo Stovetop Double Stack Cheeseburgers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 medium red onion, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 pounds ground turkey meat (preferably dark meat) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup loosely packed chopped parsley 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
To serve:
8 burger buns Sliced onions, lettuce, sliced tomatoes Bacon Mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and ketchup
If using a grill, first pre-heat the grill on high for 10 minutes and coat the grates with a little vegetable oil. If using a frying pan, put a little oil in the pan first to help keep the burgers from sticking. A trick my mother uses when making burgers in a cast iron frying pan is to sprinkle the bottom of the pan with a little salt. The salt acts sort of like ball bearings, keeping the patties from sticking when you go to flip them.
