My trick to making the juiciest turkey burgers EVER is to add grated zucchini! A huge bonus if you want your kids to eat more veggies! (It’s also an easy Air fryer recipe!)
Juicy Turkey Burgers with Zucchini
Juicy Turkey Burgers with ZucchiniThese are the BEST turkey burgers! They come out so juicy, and the flavor is delicious. I started experimenting with adding zucchini to my turkey burgers back in 2010 and never looked back. They are healthy, easy and and perfect for quick dinners any night of the week. You can also try these Greek Feta Turkey Burgers.
Adding zucchini also lowers the calories per serving because you get five patties out of 1 pound of ground turkey them instead of four. Serve them with your favorite burger toppings, on a whole wheat bun or skip the bun and serve them on lettuce to keep the carbs low. These can be grilled or cooked indoors. If you want to make them on the grill, it’s best to make the patties ahead (overnight is best) and keep them refrigerated so they hold their shape. You can also freeze them and thaw them right on the grill.
How To Make the Best Turkey Burgers
- Use a box grater to grate the zucchini, onion and garlic super fine. A mini chopper would also work.
- Get the pan hot before you put the burgers on to get a nice sear, then lowered the flame to the lowest setting to let the burgers cook all the way through, turning a few times so the burgers don’t burn.
- Squeeze ALL the moisture from the zucchini with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, zucchini, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Make 5 equal patties, 4 1/2 ounces each, not too thick so they cook in the center.
To Cook Turkey Burgers on a Skillet:
Heat a large nonstick skillet on high heat. When hot, lightly spray oil. Add burgers to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook on one side until browned, then flip. Flip over a few times to prevent burning and to make sure the burgers are cooked all the way through.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers:
Cook in a single layer in two batches 370F for 10 minutes, turning half way until browned and cooked through in the center.
For Grilled Turkey Burgers:
Clean grill well before cooking and spray with oil spray to prevent sticking. Cook the burgers on medium heat about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center.
More Turkey Burger Recipes You Will Love
- Greek Turkey Burgers with Feta
- Turkey Burgers Stuffed with Cheese
- Naked Turkey Bruschetta Burger
- Buffalo Turkey Cheeseburgers
- Broccoli Rabe Turkey Burgers
Turkey Burgers with Zucchini
Ingredients
- 6 oz grated zucchini, when squeezed 4.25 oz
- 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp grated red onion
- 1 tsp kosher salt and fresh pepper
- oil spray
Instructions
- Squeeze ALL the moisture from the zucchini with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, zucchini, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Make 5 equal patties, 4 ounces each, not too thick so they cook in the center.
- STOVE: Heat a large nonstick skillet on high heat. When hot, lightly spray oil. Add burgers to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook on one side until browned, then flip. Flip over a few times to prevent burning and to make sure the burgers are cooked all the way through.
- If grilling: Clean grill well before cooking and spray with oil spray to prevent sticking. Cook the burgers on medium heat about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the center.
Air Fryer Directions:
- Squeeze out all the moisture well from the zucchini using paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, zucchini, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Make 5 equal patties, 4 ounces each, 1/2 inch thick.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370F.
- Cook in a single layer in two batches 10 minutes, turning half way until browned and cooked through in the center.
These are delicious., I followed the recipe exactly. Topped my burger with some sriracha mayo, shredded cheddar cheese, tomato slices, onion and some romaine. So so so good.
These are delicious., I followed the recipe exactly. Topped my burger with some sriracha mayo, shredded cheddar cheese, tomato slices, onion and some romaine. So so so good.
Really great and light! We doubled the garlic and onion. Added a finely mined jalapeno. Soaked our breadcrumb in a little milk. And used Tony Chacheeries for 1/2 the seasoning salt. Cooked on the grill. Juicy, tender and flavorful! Will make again!
These burgers are absolutely fantastic! Very moist too! We top with jalapenos and just makes a easy dinner. Toss together some broccoli slaw and you’ll be so satisfied.
Thanks so much! We appreciate you and your recipes 🙂
Excellent turkey burgers!! My family and I loved them!! Thanks very much!
Our family LOVES these turkey burgers and can’t get enough of them! My son got creative with his toppings, and we all think this is seriously the best burger around: top it with an egg with a soft yolk (which I normally wouldn’t even eat, but it’s awesome on this), a slice of cheese, avocado and cholula. Absolute perfection!
I will make these again. This first time I made them I used 99%FF turkey. Aside from the fact that they were a little dry, the flavor is terrific. I put the zucchini, garlic & onion in a mini chopper to make it easier for me. We had side salad to go with it.
These turkey burgers are one of our favorites. Turkey on its own tends to be dry. The zucchini adds the moisture needed. I typically add some diced jalapeno and crushed red pepper flakes because we like spicy foods. I also add extra zucchini. I cook the burgers in an electric frying pan because they end up cooking in their own juice. We tried using the grill once, but prefer the electric frying pan over the grill. This recipe is an easy way to get your kids to eat zucchini.
Gina ,
My food scale is broken . Do you have any idea how much zucchini that is instead of oz ? Is it a cup grated or 3/4 c or what ? Would love an answer .o put in 1 cup after it was squeezed but looks like maybe too much .
So many good burger recipes you have I have not done this what I call the original classic in awhile. It is so good and we even did on the grill which I usually don’t do. I add additional herbs to it–a spice called Bavarian Seasoning, which as a combo of baarian stlye mustard rosemary garlic thyme bay and sage. ( made by Penzeys) Other then that follow just as is. A favorite, and a classice
I love ST recipes, but this was extremely bland.
Made these tonight and they were delicious. Eaten by a picky 3yo, my 9yo who rarely eats veggies willingly, and my 10yo. Thanks!
Thanks for an awesome Memorial Day option! Other than going a little heavy on the garlic and onion, I followed and cooked the recipe exactly as written and it was perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Planning on making a bulk recipe and freezing.
Loved these and will definitely make again! Cut up a leftover burger and added it to my rice bowl the next day, which was also very good!