Greek Turkey Burgers

These healthy Greek Turkey Burgers get their delicious flavor from a blend of Mediterranean spices. Simply mix ground turkey with Greek seasoning, spinach, and feta, cook the patties up, then top with tzatziki sauce, cucumbers and tomatoes. This recipe easily translates to the skillet, air fryer, or grill—no matter what, it will quickly become a new favorite for the whole family this summer season.

Flavor-Packed Greek Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers are notoriously known for being pretty bland.

But that is SO not the case with these Mediterranean-flavored Greek Turkey Burgers.

Before you even load them onto a bun and slather a good bit of tzatziki sauce on top, the patties are already SO full of flavor. (And it’s largely thanks to a spin-off of this homemade Greek seasoning!)

In every bite you get salty feta cheese, healthy spinach, and so much flavor, your tongue won’t know what to do.

Plus, it’s so easy to prep ahead and cook up in either a skillet, air fryer, or the grill.

The Mediterranean flavors make the absolute best burgers. And ground turkey breast makes this recipe healthier than traditional burgers.

Trust me, after your first bite, you won’t believe these are turkey burgers. They’ll satisfy any craving!

These burgers can stand as a meal on their own, or you can really round the menu out with Greek Cucumber Salad and Mediterranean Yellow Rice.

Ingredients

To make these Greek turkey burgers you need:

• Turkey. Look for a 93/7 lean ground turkey.  A 90/10 or 98/2 may also be used, but know the patties will shrink more with the 90/10 because of the extra fat.  Ground chicken, lamb, beef, or pork can be substituted as well.
• Spinach. Frozen spinach is best. Be sure to thaw and squeeze out the excess moisture. (You can even make your own Sautéed Spinach at home if you’d like!)
• Onion. A finely chopped red onion was used, but you can sub in white, yellow, or even sweet if needed. This will affect the outcome slightly, though.
• Feta cheese. This variety is perfect for it’s tangy, salty flavor. You can use another cheese, but opt for a similar type that’s crumbly.
• Cilantro. Fresh cilantro adds a unique essence that perfectly balances the seasoning.
• Fresh garlic. Minced garlic is essential! Try not to leave it out. You can opt for garlic powder if you need to, but the flavor won’t be as pronounced.
• Seasoning. A Greek blend of coriander, cumin, basil, parsley, and cinnamon along with salt and pepper round out the flavor profile of these burgers.
• Oil. Opt for avocado oil, since it has a higher smoke point. You can use olive oil if you prefer.
• Hamburger buns. Choose your favorite variety! You can go with gluten-free if needed, or skip the bun for a low-carb meal.
• Toppings. Either whip up your own creamy Tzatziki sauce with Greek yogurt and grated cucumber at home, or buy some at the local grocery store. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and sliced onion are delicious, as well.

How to Make a Greek Turkey Burger?

Below, you’ll find the steps to follow to make these juicy turkey burgers:

Prep the Spinach

First, preheat the oven or air fryer to 400℉.

Open up the thawed spinach and dump it into a large paper towel, cheesecloth, or a clean kitchen towel. Being careful not to spill any, squeeze until all of the extra liquid is out. 

There should be around ½ cup of spinach left.

Combine the Ingredients

Add the burger ingredients—ground turkey, spinach, onion, feta cheese, cilantro, garlic, spices, herbs, salt, and black pepper—to a large bowl. Use a potato masher or your hands to break the meat apart, then thoroughly mix everything.

Be sure to combine all of the ingredients well so each bite is well-rounded.

Make the Patties

Use your hands or a spatula to divide the turkey mixture into 5 equal parts. Each one should be around 5 ounces.

Carefully shape each one into a patty that is around 4 inches wide and 1 inch thick, though this measurement depends on the size of your bun.

If the mixture gets hard to handle, spray your hands with cooking spray.

Cook the Burgers

You can either cook these patties on a skillet and finish them on the stove OR you can use an air fryer. In the summer, you can use an outdoor grill, as well.

To cook them on the stove, add some oil to a large skillet that can go in the oven, like cast iron. If you use a nonstick skillet, you’ll have to transfer the patties to an oven-safe pan to finish cooking. Set it to medium heat. 

Once it’s hot, carefully place patties in the skillet and sear burgers for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip each one, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.

Place the pan in a 400 degree oven and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165℉.

Serve the Burgers

These turkey burger patties are perfect on a toasted bun, spread with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, then topped with tomato slices, cucumber slices, and red onion (or try these pickled onions!)

You can also go low-carb and skip the bun altogether.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: Whip up the tzatziki sauce and seasoning blend a few days in advance.
• How to store: Keep leftover turkey burgers separate from the toppings for best results. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
• How to freeze: Place the turkey patties on a large baking sheet and pre-freeze for 3-4 hours. Once firm, add the patties to a freezer-safe container or gallon-sized Ziploc bag. They will freeze well for up to a year, but do start to loose their quality after 3-4 months.
• How to reheat: Warm these turkey burgers back up in a skillet or you can use the microwave.

Is a turkey burger healthy?

Yes! Turkey burgers are considered a healthier alternative to traditional burgers. This protein has less calories and more benefits than red meat, so you can feel good about eating it.

What temperature is a turkey burger done?

The ground turkey in a burger is fully cooked at 165℉. This is the same as chicken. Be sure to use a good internal thermometer to check the temperature.

What to put on a Greek burger?

Just like many Greek dishes, you can’t go wrong by topping a Greek burger with tzatziki sauce, cucumbers, and onion. But feel free to dress up these burgers however you’d like!

How long do turkey burgers last?

Once cooked, turkey burgers will last for 3 to 4 days. Be sure to store them soon after cooking in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze turkey burgers?

You can definitely freeze turkey burgers! It’s best to flash freeze them first, then transfer to a bag or freezer-safe container for up to a year.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already low-carb as written.  Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Stick with a dairy-free cheese variety.
• Gluten-free: Skip the bun, or choose a gluten-free type.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• DIY. You can buy a jar, but it’s so easy to make your own Greek seasoning at home.
• Go lean. Choose ground turkey with a lower fat content for the best results.
• Mix it well. Be sure the ingredients are combined well so you get full flavor in each bite.
• Pay attention. Don’t overcook these burgers or they could end up dry.
• Top it off. Tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, and onion really take this burger over the top.

What to Serve with Greek Turkey Burgers

Burgers go with just about any side! These are my favorite healthy recipes, though.

You can’t go wrong with fries, like Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or Baked Parmesan Fries. Or, make it a bit better for you with Air Fryer Zucchini Fries or Oven Baked Parmesan Asparagus.

Or, go full-on veggie with Air Fryer Broccoli or Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts.

More Greek Recipes

It’s all Greek to me, at least these recipes are! Try them out for authentic flavor.

Make your own Greek Seasoning to have on hand along with Greek Salad Dressing.

For a main dish, try Greek Meatballs, Grilled Chicken Kebabs, or Lamb Kofta Kebabs.

Greek Cucumber Salad, Easy Greek Lemon Rice, Greek Pasta Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, and Mediterranean Chickpea Salad are healthy and delicious side dishes.

Don’t forget the Tzatziki Sauce and Pita Bread!