Turkey burgers are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional beef burgers. However, the key to a satisfying turkey burger meal is pairing it with the right side dishes. The sides should complement the flavor of the turkey burger and add nutrients and texture to make it a well-rounded meal. When deciding what to eat on the side of a turkey burger, there are a few key factors to consider.
Factors to Consider
- Flavor – Pick sides that will enhance the flavor of the turkey burger. Sides like avocado, chimichurri sauce, or pesto mayonnaise will impart flavor.
- Nutritional balance – Turkey burgers are a lean protein. Choose nutrient-dense sides like leafy greens and whole grains to add fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Texture – The softness of a turkey burger patty contrasts nicely with crunchy or crisp sides. Veggies, slaws, and chips can provide a textural counterpart.
- Satiety – Nutrient-dense sides will help you feel satiated. Healthy fats from avocado and protein from beans or chickpeas are filling.
- Quick prep – When making turkey burgers at home, opt for sides that are fast and simple to throw together like a salad or roasted vegetables.
Pairing the right sides with a turkey burger makes for a satisfying meal. When planning sides, consider nutrients, flavors, textures, and ease of preparation. Read on for ten excellent options to accompany a juicy turkey burger.
10 Healthy and Delicious Sides for Turkey Burgers
1. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries baked in the oven are a nutritious alternative to deep-fried French fries. They have fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Slice sweet potatoes into wedges, toss with olive oil, and sprinkle with seasoning like chili powder or cumin before baking. The natural sweetness balances the savory turkey burger.
2. Grilled Vegetables
Grill up a vegetable medley alongside your turkey burgers. Try zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions. Brush with olive oil and add salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. The char from grilling adds great flavor. Grilled veggies provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
3. Kale Salad
A leafy green salad is the perfect complement to a turkey burger. For a nutrient boost, make it with kale. Massage shredded kale with lemon juice to soften it. Then toss with diced avocado, tomatoes, shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, and a light dressing like tahini or Green Goddess.
Kale Salad Nutrition Facts (per 1 cup raw)
| Calories | 33 |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Carbs | 6 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Vitamin A | 206% DV |
| Vitamin C | 134% DV |
| Calcium | 9% DV |
| Iron | 6% DV |
4. Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
For a heartier salad, try roasted sweet potato wedges on a bed of spinach or mixed greens. Toss cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and a pinch of cayenne. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until tender. Top the salad with toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch.
5. Coleslaw
A crunchy, vinegary coleslaw is a classic burger pairing. For a lighter version, try this recipe:
Easy Kale Coleslaw
- 1 bag shredded kale
- 1/2 head shredded purple cabbage
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup olive oil mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Massage kale with lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Let sit 5 minutes. Toss with remaining ingredients. Chill before serving.
6. Loaded Baked Potato
For a heartier meal, serve your turkey burger with a baked potato loaded with healthy toppings. Try roasted broccoli, salsa, black beans, avocado, Greek yogurt, or shredded cheese. Potatoes offer potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and fiber. Load it up with nutritious fixings.
7. Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
This fresh Middle Eastern salad packs protein from quinoa and fiber from vegetables. To make tabbouleh, combine cooked quinoa with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, parsley, mint, scallions, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Season to taste. Chill before serving alongside your burger.
8. Air Fryer Onion Rings
With an air fryer, you can enjoy crispy onion rings without all the oil of deep frying. Thinly slice onions, dredge in an egg wash and panko breadcrumbs, and cook at 400°F, shaking halfway through, until browned. Pair your turkey burger with these lighter onion rings.
9. Sweet Potato Chips
For a crunchy side, make your own sweet potato chips. Thinly slice sweet potatoes and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Mist with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisped and browned.
10. Fruit Salad
A fresh fruit salad makes a refreshing counterpoint to a savory turkey burger. Mix diced melon, berries, mango, grapes, orange segments, and pineapple. Drizzle with a honey-lime dressing. Fruits like berries offer antioxidants and vitamin C.
5 Tips for the Best Turkey Burger Side Pairings
1. Get creative with toppings and condiments
Take your side dishes up a notch with fresh herbs, spices, dressings, sauces, and condiments. Add chimichurri or pesto to vegetables,Greek yogurt ranch to salads and potatoes, or curry mayo to sweet potato fries.
2. Pick a variety of colors
Make your plate more enticing by selecting fruits and veggies of different hues – dark leafy greens, orange sweet potatoes, red cabbage, yellow peppers, purple onions, etc. Vibrant colors equal more nutrients.
3. Balance flavors and textures
Complement the savory turkey burger with cool, creamy, crunchy, crisp, and tangy sides. Play with different tastes and mouthfeels. Think creamy potato salad next to crisp kale slaw.
4. Don’t forget healthy fats
Turkey burgers are lean, so be sure to incorporate healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and vinaigrettes. Fat helps you absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
5. Roast, grill, or air fry
Take veggies, potatoes, and fruits to the next level with high-heat cooking techniques. Roast, grill, or air fry to intensify flavors. Char and caramelization = more taste.
5 Turkey Burger Side Dish Recipes
Try out these delicious recipes for your next turkey burger night:
1. Grilled Corn with Chili-Lime Butter
- 4 ears corn, shucked
- 3 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
Mix together butter, chili powder, lime juice and salt. Grill corn over medium heat 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Slather with seasoned butter.
2. Balsamic Roasted Carrots
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Toss carrots with oil. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes, stir, roast 10 more minutes. Toss with vinegar and seasonings.
3. Greek Chopped Salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
Mix together all ingredients in a salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Chickpea and Avocado Smash Salad
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mash chickpeas with a fork. Gently mix in remaining ingredients except parsley. Top with parsley.
5. Sweet Potato Fries with Curry Mayo
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp honey
Toss potatoes with oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 425°F 25 minutes until browned and tender, flipping halfway. Mix mayo, curry and honey. Serve fries with curry dip.
Conclusion
A turkey burger on its own can be bland and boring. But served alongside fresh, seasonal sides packed with flavor, crunch, and nutrition, it becomes a satisfying meal. There are endless combinations of fruits, veggies, grains and more that pair deliciously with a turkey burger.
Grill up a flavorful turkey patty and round out your plate with sweet potatoes, kale slaw, quinoa tabbouleh or a loaded baked potato. Get creative with spices, herbs, sauces and condiments to take your sides to the next level. With the right complements, a turkey burger makes for a tasty, well-balanced dinner.