Cooking juicy and flavorful turkey burgers that hold their shape can be tricky. The main reason turkey burgers fall apart is because ground turkey tends to be leaner than beef. This means there is less fat and moisture to bind the burger together. However, with a few simple tricks you can keep your turkey burgers intact on the grill or in the pan.
Why Do Turkey Burgers Fall Apart?
There are a few reasons why turkey burgers often fall apart during cooking:
- Lower fat content – Ground turkey is very lean which means less fat to keep the burger moist and bind it together.
- Lack of collagen – Collagen acts like glue, helping to hold ground meats together. Turkey has less collagen compared to beef.
- Overhandling – Overmixing the turkey can break down proteins that help with binding.
- Cooking method – Cooking over high heat or flipping too often can cause the burger to break.
Tips to Keep Turkey Burgers from Falling Apart
Follow these helpful tips when making turkey burgers at home:
Choose the Right Ground Turkey
Opt for ground turkey that has some fat content, ideally 15-20% fat. Ground turkey breast is very lean and will not hold together well. Look for a meat to fat ratio of 80/20 or 85/15 for the best consistency.
Add Binders
Mixing in binding agents will help to hold the turkey burger together during cooking. Good options include:
- Eggs – Use 1 egg per pound of ground turkey.
- Breadcrumbs or panko – Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup per pound of meat.
- Oats or crushed crackers – Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per pound.
Keep Cold When Handling
Chilling all ingredients and keeping the meat cold while handling will help the burger hold its shape. Handle the meat gently and avoid overmixing which can cause the proteins to break down.
Refrigerate Before Cooking
After forming patties, place them in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This allows the binders and ingredients to firm up before cooking.
Use a Binding Sauce
Brush or drizzle turkey burgers with a thick sauce during cooking such as barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey mustard or ketchup. The sauce helps keep the moisture in and stick to the patties.
Don’t Press Down While Cooking
Avoid pressing down on the patties as they cook, which can cause them to break apart. Use a thinner spatula when flipping them over.
Cook Properly
Cook over medium heat rather than high heat which can cause the exterior to overcook and fall apart. Grill the patties gently and flip only once during cooking if possible.
Let Rest Before Serving
After cooking, allow the turkey burgers to rest for 5 minutes. This helps them firm up so they don’t break when handling or eating.
Toppings and Mix-Ins
Adding extra flavorings and textures to your turkey burgers also enhances moisture and binding. Ideas include:
- Chopped onion or shallots
- Minced garlic
- Worcestershire or soy sauce
- Spices like paprika, cumin or chili powder
- Chopped mushrooms
- Crumbled feta or blue cheese
- Chopped nuts
Go easy on wet ingredients like tomatoes or lettuce which can make the turkey burger mushy. Build the burger structurally from the bottom up – put wet ingredients on top.
Best Cooking Methods
Some cooking methods work better than others when making juicy turkey burgers that hold together:
Pan Sear
Pan frying over medium heat allows you to control temperature and cook evenly. Use a bit of oil or nonstick spray and flip gently halfway through.
Grill
Grilling imparts great flavor but keep the heat moderate. Avoid flare-ups. Flip only once and rotate if there are hot spots.
Bake
Baking in the oven ensures even, gentle cooking. Place patties on a lightly greased pan and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Broil
For speed, broiling lets you cook from the top down. Watch patties closely to avoid overcooking the exterior before the inside is done.
Recipe for Juicy Turkey Burgers
This tasty recipe for oven-baked turkey burgers produces burgers that hold together perfectly while staying moist and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb 85% lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 burger buns
- Desired toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion etc.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, panko, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Gently mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties, about 4 inches wide. Place on the baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the patties lightly with olive oil. Bake for 18-22 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Allow patties to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve on buns with desired toppings.
The egg and panko binders along with gentle baking results in moist, flavorful turkey burgers that hold their shape perfectly. Let rest before serving to allow juices to redistribute through the burger.
Storing and Reheating Turkey Burgers
For best results when making turkey burgers in advance:
- Storage: Freeze uncooked patties with wax paper between layers, for 1-3 months. Refrigerate cooked burgers 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Thaw frozen burgers in the refrigerator before cooking. Reheat cooked burgers in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 325°F until warmed through.
Avoid microwaving cooked turkey burgers which can make the texture rubbery. Cook frozen patties without thawing first.
Turkey Burger FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about cooking turkey burgers:
Should you season turkey burger meat or the patties?
Season the meat directly before mixing and forming patties for the most even flavor distribution.
Can you grill frozen turkey burgers?
Yes, grilling still-frozen turkey burgers works well. Cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked through.
What temperature are turkey burgers done?
Cook turkey burgers to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer for food safety.
Can you freeze cooked turkey burgers?
Fully cooked turkey burgers can be frozen for 1-2 months. Reheat gently to prevent drying out.
How long do turkey burgers last in the fridge?
Store cooked turkey burgers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Raw patties keep 1-2 days.
Conclusion
With the right techniques, you can enjoy juicy and delicious turkey burgers that hold their shape perfectly during cooking. Binding agents, gentle handling, proper cooking methods and keeping the meat cold are keys to success. Experiment with flavors and have fun serving up healthy turkey burgers that don’t fall apart!