These Air Fryer Turkey Burgers are simple, wholesome, and fast to make. Lean turkey forms a light base that benefits from a little added fat and seasoning to stay juicy. In under 20 minutes you can have a flavorful, lower-calorie burger ready to enjoy.
Turkey Burger Recipe
Turkey burgers are a lighter alternative to beef without sacrificing flavor when prepared correctly. Because ground turkey is lean, it can become dry or fragile unless you add a bit of fat and avoid overworking the meat. A small amount of mayonnaise and flavorful seasonings are all you need to keep these patties moist, tender, and easy to cook in the air fryer.
Serve the patties on a bun, wrapped in crisp iceberg lettuce for a low-carb option, or between savory chaffles. Add classic toppings like tomato, lettuce, pickles, red onion, and extra mayo or cheese if desired. This recipe is versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides to suit your preferences.
Ingredients for the BEST turkey burgers
Below is a quick overview of the key ingredients. Exact measurements appear further down in the recipe section.
- Ground turkey – Use a roughly 90% lean ground turkey. Extremely lean blends are more likely to fall apart and overcook. Ground chicken can be substituted if preferred.
- Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce – These add flavor, moisture, and help bind the patties so they hold together during cooking.
- Minced garlic, seasoned salt, and black pepper – Simple seasonings that enhance the turkey without overpowering it.
- Toppings – Consider buns, lettuce, tomato slices, red onion, pickles, bacon, or cheese based on your taste and dietary goals.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
This is a fast, straightforward dinner that requires only a mixing bowl and an air fryer. Follow the steps below for evenly cooked, juicy patties.
Season meat
Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and gently combine until everything is incorporated. Do not overmix — overworking the turkey will make the patties tense and dry.
Make patties
Divide the mixture into four equal portions and gently shape each portion into a uniform patty. Consistent thickness and size help ensure even cooking across all patties.
Cook
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (about 182°C) for 3 minutes. Placing the patties into a preheated appliance helps set a good exterior and keeps juices inside.
Cook the burgers for 7 minutes, flip, then cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheese on each patty immediately after cooking and close the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese — do not turn the air fryer back on with the cheese inside, as strong airflow can dislodge the cheese.
What to serve with Turkey Burgers
Top your burgers with fresh, crunchy ingredients like tomato, lettuce, pickles, avocado, and onions. For indulgent options, add bacon, extra cheese, or a creamy sauce. Serve on a bun or go low-carb with a lettuce wrap or a pair of savory chaffles.
Classic side dishes include sweet potato fries, frozen fries for convenience, tater tots, or onion rings. For low-carb pairings, try cauliflower tots, zucchini chips, keto fries, or jalapeño poppers to round out the meal.
Storage Instructions
Allow cooked patties to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can I freeze turkey burgers?
For best texture, shape and freeze patties before cooking. Place formed patties on a baking sheet or plate and freeze for about 2 hours until firm, then transfer to a labeled freezer bag. Frozen patties keep well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
How to reheat turkey burgers without drying them out
Turkey patties are lean and can dry out when reheated. Use gentle methods and add a splash of moisture if possible:
- Microwave: Cover patties with a damp paper towel and reheat at 50% power in 1-minute intervals, flipping between intervals.
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Wrap patties with a teaspoon of water in foil and warm for 10–15 minutes.
- Air fryer: Preheat for 3 minutes, then reheat patties for about 5 minutes using the oven method as a guide.
- Skillet: Warm 1/2 tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium. Add patties, cover, and cook 3–4 minutes per side, adding more fat if the pan looks dry.
If you like this healthy recipe, you’ll love these easy dinners!
- Air Fryer Chicken & Mushrooms — a fast skillet-style dinner with tender chicken and vegetables in a buttery sauce.
- Shrimp Tacos — quick air fryer shrimp are perfect for tacos topped with salsa, slaw, and avocado.
- Turkey Soup — a lighter soup option that highlights lean turkey in a flavorful broth.
- Big Mac Salad — enjoy classic burger flavors without the bun by serving seasoned beef or turkey over greens with a tangy dressing.
- Chicken and Broccoli Skillet — a one-pan, low-carb meal full of savory flavor.
Turkey Burger FAQs
Yes. The patties are low in carbohydrates on their own. To maintain a keto-friendly meal, serve them wrapped in lettuce, on a salad, or between low-carb chaffles.
Lean turkey lacks the fat that helps bind patties. A small amount of mayonnaise or another binder helps keep them together. Also, handle the meat gently and avoid overmixing, which can make the protein tough and more likely to crumble.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined; do not overwork the meat.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties of even thickness.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 3 minutes.
- Place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- For cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese to each patty after cooking and close the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese using residual heat.
Notes
This recipe yields 4 turkey burger patties. Each patty is a low-carb option and works well with a variety of toppings and sides.
Nutrition (per patty)
Serving size: 1 burger patty (does not include toppings or bun)
Calories: 197 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.2 g | Protein: 22.4 g | Fat: 11.3 g | Cholesterol: 79.7 mg | Sodium: 452.7 mg | Fiber: 0.1 g | Sugar: 0.5 g
Nutrition information is estimated and should be used as an approximation.
Enjoy these easy air fryer turkey burgers for a quick weeknight meal or a lighter barbecue option. They’re flavorful, adaptable, and simple to prepare while keeping calories and carbs in check when served with low-carb sides.