Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

I love a good burger recipe, and I’m all for a big juicy red meat burger, but sometimes it’s nice to change things up a bit and go with a turkey burger.

Some turkey burger recipes can be dry, but fret not, I've added mayonnaise and grated onions to the patties, which makes these air fryer turkey burgers juicy and delicious every time. Gluten free? No problem... breadcrumbs aren't needed in this recipe and the patties hold their shape and stay nice and moist when cooked.  

And don't be intimidated by making your own patties. These are so easy to make with only 10 minutes to prep. And these homemade patties are better than any store bought.  

These air fryer turkey burgers are great for a quick lunch or easy dinner. And if you're wanting more easy recipes to try, you might also like my cashew chicken salad, sheet pan dinner, chicken fried rice, oven baked fajitas, or skillet lasagna.

Ingredients Needed

A complete list of ingredients and amounts for these air fryer turkey burgers can be found in the recipe card below. Here are some specific notes and substitutions.

• Onion – I recommend a yellow or white onion, but in a pinch, a red onion can be used too.

• Mayonnaise – Mayo is used to add moisture so these burgers are nice and juicy. You can use any mayo, but I highly recommend Primal Kitchen as it's made with avocado oil and no seed or vegetable oils.

• Dijon Mustard - I like Dijon, but you can use regular yellow mustard as well.

Clean food tip: Opt for organic turkey if you can. Organic turkey is raised without the use of antibiotics and is fed certified organic feed (no use of harsh pesticides). Organic certification also requires outdoor access, but the term "access" is loosely defined. In addition, look for labels that certify the animals were raised humanely.

How to Make Turkey Burgers in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Make the fresh turkey patty mixture: Add ground turkey, grated onion, salt, onion powder, garlic, mayo, and Dijon mustard to a medium sized mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix all ingredients together.

Step 2: Make the turkey patties: Divide mixture into 4 evenly sized portions. Make a ball from each quarter of the meat mixture in your hands and then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Press mixture down into a round patty shape about ½” thick. Using your thumb, place a dent in the middle of each patty (this will help the burger from shrinking while it’s being cooked).

TIP: The meat mixtures will be very sticky – get your hands slightly wet before creating the patties to prevent sticking.

Equipment Needed

In order to make these air fryer turkey burgers, you will need the below equipment.

Air Fryer - I've been using an air fryer by Instant Vortex I bought a few years ago on a black Friday deal and I really like it. I have heard really good things about Phillips air fryers, too.

You can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Just pay attention to the size. Mine is a 6 quart and I wouldn't recommend going any smaller.

Meat thermometer - I recommend a good quality instant digital read meat thermometer so that you can know when your meat is cooked to the required temperature.

Spatula - Needed so you can carefully transfer the patties to the air fryer basket.

But wait... why even use an air fryer? Air frying food is actually quicker than the oven thanks to quick pre-heating and the air circulation method of an air fryer. Personally, I think it also makes most food taste better due to the style of cooking.

Choosing Ground Turkey

You'll probably notice when buying ground turkey that you have a few different options; most commonly 98% lean/ 2% fat or 93% lean/ 7% fat. You may even see 85% lean/ 15% fat. Basically, the higher the fat content, the more juicy and flavorful the turkey will be.

I recommend using the 93/7% for these turkey burgers, but really any ground turkey will work. And because of the mayonnaise and grated onion, you'll still end up with a juicy flavorful burger, regardless of which you choose.

And don't be fooled by the label "all natural" or "no added hormones." The FDA prohibits the use of hormones in poultry, so no turkey has added hormones. If "cleaner" meat is important to you, look for a label that states "no antibodies used," or better yet, a USDA organic certification.

FAQs

Tips & Notes for the Best Homemade Turkey Burgers

• Prior to forming into patties, wet your hands to prevent the meat mixture from sticking to your hands. It will be very sticky! 

• Once burger patties are formed, use your thumb to place an indent in the middle of each patty. This will help to prevent them from shrinking up into hockey pucks when cooked. 

• Spice up this turkey burger recipe by adding chopped parsley, chopped scallions, chopped cilantro, ranch seasoning, or Italian seasoning. 

• Add more veggies to the ground turkey like chopped spinach, chopped sweet pepper, and/or chopped zucchini.

• Add cheese once turkey patties are fully cooked. Turn air fryer off, add cheese to burgers, and return air fryer basket/pan to air fryer and allow cheese to melt. This should take less than 2 minutes.

Suggested Toppings and Side Dishes

Try some of these toppings to bring your turkey burger to whole new level.

Lettuce
Tomato
Onion
Pickles
Bacon
Cheese
Goat cheese
Mayo
Avocado
Kale pesto 
Ranch dressing
BBQ sauce

And try serving alongside some of these side dishes for a well-rounded meal: Broccoli salad, air fryer smashed potatoes, Roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, coleslaw, roasted cauliflower steaks, or grilled vegetable pasta salad.

Storing and Freezing

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