Juicy Asian Turkey Burgers (30-Minute Recipe)
Recipe Key
These healthy turkey burgers are juicy and savory with lots of fresh ginger, garlic and sesame flavor. Best of all, they come together in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for an easy weeknight dinner but delicious enough for entertaining. Serve them with the 5-minute Asian Tahini Sauce—creamy, nutty, tangy and slightly sweet—for an irresistible finishing touch.
I love turkey burgers for a quick, protein-rich dinner, but ground turkey is mild and needs plenty of seasoning to make it really delicious. In this recipe fresh ginger, garlic, scallions, cilantro and toasted sesame oil are mixed in for a deeply savory umami flavor.
All you you have to do is mix the turkey with the seasonings, shape it into patties and cook for 8-10 minutes. The burgers can be pan-seared on the stovetop, cooked on the grill, or made in your air fryer!
While the burgers cook, stir together the tahini sauce. Dinner is on the table in 30 minutes with very little fuss.
Why You’ll Love These Asian Turkey Burgers
- Easy 30-minute dinner – A flavorful meal you can make without much fuss.
- Simple preparation – Mix, shape and cook. No complicated steps or special equipment.
- Versatile cooking options – Pan-sear them on the stovetop, cook them on the grill, or make them in the air fryer. (Directions are in the recipe card.)
- Juicy and flavorful – Ginger, garlic, scallions, cilantro and sesame make the mild ground turkey taste moist and delicious.
- Protein-rich – A satisfying main dish with plenty of protein.
- Healthy and nourishing – Made with lean ground turkey, mixed with gut supporting fresh herbs, ginger and garlic.
- Gluten-free – No breadcrumbs.
- Creamy tahini sauce – Tangy, savory and slightly sweet, it makes the whole dish come together.
Ingredients That Make The Burgers Taste Great
- Ground turkey – The best taste comes from 85% lean ground turkey. Keep it cold until you’re ready to mix.
- Fresh ginger and garlic – Give the burgers their bright, aromatic flavor.
- Cilantro and scallions – Freshen up the turkey and add lots of flavor without making the burgers heavy.
- Gluten-free tamari – Adds salty, savory, umami flavor.
- Fish sauce – Just a teaspoon adds incredible depth without making the burgers taste fishy. If you don’t have it add a bit more tamari.
- Toasted sesame oil – A little goes a long way, giving the burgers a warm, nutty sesame flavor.
- Avocado oil – A neutral flavored oil for cooking the burgers.
Asian Tahini Sauce Ingredients
- Tahini – Creates the rich, creamy base for the sauce with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Gluten-free tamari – Adds salty, savory umami flavor.
- Rice vinegar – Adds a bright, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the tahini.
- Maple syrup – A touch of natural sweetness balances the salty and tangy flavors.
- Toasted sesame oil – Adds a warm, nutty sesame flavor.
- Garlic – Gives the sauce a fresh, savory bite.
- Fresh ginger – Adds a little zing and complements the Asian flavors.
- Water – Thins the sauce to your desired consistency for drizzling or spreading.
How to Make Asian Turkey Burgers
- Mix the seasonings. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, cilantro, scallions, tamari, fish sauce and sesame oil. Stir until evenly combined.
Add the turkey. Add the ground turkey and gently mix with clean hands or gloves until everything is evenly incorporated. Avoid overmixing, which can make the burgers tough.
Shape the burgers. Shape the mixture into 6 burgers, gently compressing them so they hold together. For larger burgers, divide the mixture into 4 patties.
Pan-sear until golden. Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the burgers, leaving a little space between each one. Cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes, until nicely golden on the bottom. Don’t fiddle with them—letting them cook undisturbed helps develop a beautiful golden crust.
Flip and finish cooking. Flip the burgers with a spatula and cook for another 5 minutes, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Remove from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes; the temperature will continue to rise to the recommended 165°F.
Make Asian Tahini Sauce. While the burgers are cooking, add all of the ingredients (except for the water) to a bowl or glass jar and stir until combined. Add water to thin until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Serve. Enjoy on a bed of greens, alongside vegetables, or on your favorite gluten-free bun with the Asian Tahini Sauce.
3 Delicious Ways to Serve Asian Turkey Burgers
You can enjoy these Asian Turkey Burgers in a few different ways depending on what you’re in the mood for:
- Over a salad – I usually skip the bun and serve the burgers on a bed of greens, with sprouts, sauerkraut, and chili crisp using the tahini sauce as a dressing. Roasted sweet potatoes are delicious with these burgers too!
- With vegetables – You can also serve it along side sautéed or roasted vegetables for a simple, veggie-packed meal topped with the Asian Tahini Sauce.
- On a bun – Serve on your favorite gluten-free bun with lettuce, cucumber, onion and plenty of creamy Asian Tahini Sauce.
Tips for the Best Turkey Burgers
- Keep the turkey cold. Leave it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix the burgers. Cold meat is easier to shape and helps the burgers maintain a nice texture.
- Don’t overmix. Gently combine the meat and seasonings just until everything comes together.
- Don’t press down while cooking. Pressing the burgers with a spatula pushes out their flavorful juices.
- Use a thermometer. Turkey is lean, so it’s easy to overcook. Remove the burgers once the center reaches 160°F. They will continue to cook as they sit to get to 165°F.
- Make the sauce ahead. The Asian Tahini Sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week, making dinner even easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they both work great. See recipe card for instructions.
Absolutely. If you’re not a cilantro fan, replace it with a little fresh parsley.
Yes. Freeze the uncooked patties separated with parchment paper, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. You can also freeze the cooked burgers.
Yes, they hold together fine without and breadcrumbs. Be sure to use certified gluten-free tamari and check the labels of your fish sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
The burger mixture can be prepared and shaped up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep the patties covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
Cooked turkey burgers will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat them gently so they stay juicy.
To freeze, let the cooked turkey burgers cool down fully at room temperature before putting them in the freezer. Store them with parchment paper in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.
The tahini sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated in a covered jar for up to a week. It will thicken when chilled, so simply stir in a splash of water before serving.
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Juicy Asian Turkey Burgers (30-Minute Recipe)
These healthy turkey burgers are juicy & savory with lots of fresh ginger, garlic and sesame flavor and they come together in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Paleo
Ingredients
- 1” piece of ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup scallions, coarsely chopped, 2-3 scallions
- 1 Tablespoon gluten free tamari
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 pound ground turkey, keep cold until ready to mix
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil or other neutral flavor
Asian Tahini Sauce
- ½ cup tahini
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free tamari
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 4–6 Tablespoons water to thin
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, cilantro, scallions, tamari, fish sauce and sesame oil. Stir to combine evenly.
- Add ground turkey. Mix gently using clean hands or gloves for best incorporation and texture. Avoid overmixing, which can make them tough.
- Shape the mixture into 6 burgers, gently compressing them so they hold together. For larger burgers, divide the mixture into 4 patties.
- Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add burgers to the pan so they are not touching. Pan sear for 5 minutes, until golden. Don’t fiddle with them, let them develop a good crust before flipping.
- Then flip the burgers with the spatula and cook on the other side for 5 minutes until golden and the juices run clear and no longer pink in center 160°F. (They will continue to cook to a perfect 165°F).
- Make Asian Tahini Sauce. While the burgers are cooking add all of the sauce ingredients (except for the water) to a bowl or glass jar and stir until combined. Add water to thin until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve on a bed of greens, salad, vegetables or gluten free bun.
Notes
To air fry- Heat the air fryer to 370°F. Place turkey burgers in a single layer, and air fry for 9-12 minutes or until they reach 160°F. (They will continue to cook to a perfect 165°F).
To Grill – Pre-heat a grill on medium high and grease well. Grill 4-5 minutes each side until golden and cooked through to 160°F.
The burger patties can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated covered until ready to cook
