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Smoky BBQ Turkey Burgers

Smoky BBQ turkey burgers are juicy, grilled in under 20 minutes, and finished with bold BBQ sauce flavor. Lean ground turkey patties are seasoned, grilled to 165°F, and topped with melted cheddar for a tender bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Turkey burger patties
  • 1.5 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 0.33 cup BBQ sauce, plus extra for brushing
  • 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Assemble
  • 4 cheddar cheese slices
  • 4 burger buns
  • 1 lettuce, tomato, and red onion, for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Mix and shape the patties
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, egg, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, mixing gently to keep the patties tender.
  2. Form the mixture into 4 patties, about ¾-inch thick, pressing a small dimple in the center of each to help prevent puffing during grilling.
Grill and finish with cheese
  1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
  2. Grill the patties for 5–6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, brushing with extra BBQ sauce during the last 2 minutes of cook time.
  3. Top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese during the final minute of cooking, letting it melt fully.
Toast and assemble
  1. Toast the burger buns on the grill for 30 seconds.
  2. Build the burgers with toasted buns and serve with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and your favorite condiments.

Notes

Pro tip: keep mixing gentle and avoid pressing the patties on the grill so they stay juicy. Refrigerate cooked burgers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently until warmed through. Freezing is best for uncooked patties (freeze up to 2 months), thaw overnight in the fridge and grill as directed. For a lighter swap, use whole-wheat or lettuce wraps for the buns if you want lower carbs.