EPIC Smash Turkey Burger Recipe
During this time of year we have a classic blackstone smash burgers and smash burger tacos on repeat for our weekly meal plan! Since the whole family loves them so much, we knew that we needed a new fun spin on these delicious recipes. So, we turned our favorite juicy avocado turkey burger into a smash burger that is made entirely on our flat top griddle.
Double It: Feel free to make it a double with two patties and swap out some of the toppings, just make sure you mix up some of that classic burger sauce to drizzle on top!
Looking for More Recipes Like This?
If you love burger recipes as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Caprese Burger!
Key Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- burger sauce – if you haven’t made our homemade burger sauce, you need to!
- ground turkey – we love swapping out ground beef for this lean meat option, feel free to use ground chicken too.
- white onion – simply use a box grater to grate the onion into small pieces and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- butter – every summer we keep a stick of butter in the freezer because adding it to our burger patties keeps them so juicy.
- mayo – perfect for keeping the burgers so moist!
- lemon zest – a little bit of acidity in the mix really brings out all the best flavor.
- hamburger buns – any variety of buns will work here – brioche buns, sesame seed buns, or even gluten-free buns.
- avocado slices & pickled red onion – two of our all-time favorite turkey burger toppings.
How To Make a Turkey Smash Burger
Step 1: Put all of the burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine. Also make your quick pickled onions and set those aside as well.
Step 2: Combine burger ingredients in a mixing bowl. Divide into equal portions (1/4 pound each) and roll in your hands to make burger balls.
Pro Tip
Cooking on a flat-top griddle or Blackstone goes *real quick* so make sure you have all components of the dish ready to go before you head out to start cooking! This will make dinnertime go much smoother!
Step 3: Next, bring your Blackstone flat top to a medium-high heat. Option to spray the cook top with a cooking spray, but not necessary. Place the turkey burger balls on the hot griddle. We highly recommend placing a piece of parchment paper on top of each and then using a burger press to flatten each one. Let the thin patties cook for about 40 seconds and then use a large spatula to flip them.
Step 4: Place a cheese slice on each one and set the buttered buns down on the hot surface next to them. Let cook for 2 minutes with the lid closed.
Step 5: Carefully remove the turkey burger patties and toasted buns. Then assemble your perfect turkey burger!
Best Way To Serve Turkey Smash Burgers
When building your perfect burger, we highly recommend the burger sauce, fresh avocado slices and pickled onions. Of course, you can change this up and serve with tomato slices, burger pickles, or any other favorite toppings. If you are looking for a side dish, try our grilled potato wedges, steamed asparagus, or homemade baked french fries!
Other Smash Burger Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
Burger Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon pickle juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, sub coconut aminos or Tamari
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Burgers:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/4 cup white onion, shredded
- 2-3 tablespoons frozen butter, shredded*
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely shredded
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
Other Toppings:
- burger buns of your choice, regular or gluten-free
- American cheese slices, regular or dairy-free
- avocado slices
- quick pickled onions
Tools (optional):
Instructions
- Make Burger Sauce: Add the classic Burger Sauce ingredients to a small bowl, stir to combine. Set aside.
- Prep Onions + Butter: Place a cheese grater on top of 2-3 pieces of paper towel. Grate the white onion on top of the paper towel. Use the paper towel to gently squeeze out as much of the excess moisture from the onion. Set onions aside. Use the same cheese grater to shred the frozen butter (if using).
- Prep Turkey Burger Balls: In a large bowl combine 1 pound ground turkey, grated white onion, grated butter, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke, and kosher salt and ground black pepper. Use a scale to create 1/4 pound balls with your hands and set aside (will make approx. 5-6 balls).
- Prep Other Ingredients: Butter both sides of the buns. Make the quick-pickled onions, if using. Have cheese ready to go, some salt + pepper for seasoning, as well as an extra plate to put your cooked burgers on. Having everything prepped and ready to go is essential, because the cook time goes real quick.
- Cook Burgers + Toast Buns: Place burger balls on preheated flat top. Slowly press down on each ball to flatten until the patties are approx. 1/4 inch thick. This will take 15-20 seconds per burger. Let sit and cook for the next 40 seconds (feel free to season patties at this point if you want). Flip and immediately add a slice of cheese to each – this is also when you will put the burger buns on the flat top griddle (buttered side down). Close lid and let burgers cook approx. 2 minutes. Open lid and remove burgers and buns to clean plate.
- Build + Serve Burger: Take a toasted bun and place the cooked burger on top (or stack two turkey patties). Top with burger sauce, quick pickled onions and avocado. Enjoy!
Notes
- Parchment Paper: highly recommend using some burger patty paper squares here since the turkey can be a bit sticky (much stickier than beef).
- Ground Turkey – I recommend buying the least lean option possible.
- *Frozen Butter – if you are looking to really keep these turkey burgers lean, you can definitely omit the butter BUT if you are just looking for a juicy turkey burger, then definitely include this step!
- Dairy-Free: to make dairy-free use a dairy-free butter and dairy-free sliced cheese of choice.
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