Description
These Cranberry Turkey Burgers are my favorite burgers to make around Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re made with ground turkey, grated apple, and fresh herbs. Top them with melted brie or Havarti cheese and homemade cranberry sauce for a festive weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Turkey Burger Patties:
- 1 small apple, peeled and cored
- 1lb ground turkey (I use extra-learn ground turkey)
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup finely diced yellow or red onion
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme
For the Burgers:
- 4 to 5 hamburger buns, (I like brioche buns)
- Thinly sliced brie cheese or Havarti cheese slices
- Mayonnaise
- Cranberry sauce
- Baby arugula or lettuce
- Thinly sliced red onions
Instructions
- Make the turkey burger patties: Use the large holes on a box grater to grate the apple. Spoon the grated apple into a cheesecloth, kitchen towel, paper towel, or fine mesh strainer. Squeeze out all the excess liquid from the apple directly over the kitchen sink.
- Measure out ¼ cup of the grated apple and add it to a large mixing bowl, along with the ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, diced celery, chopped parsley, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, ground sage, chopped rosemary, and chopped thyme.
- Mix until everything is just combined. Avoid overworking the mixture, otherwise this can create tough and dense burgers.
- Use your hands to form 4 or 5 evenly sized burger patties. They should be a little larger than your hamburger bun as they will shrink slightly when cooking.
- Preheat your grill or heat a large skillet over medium heat. If you’re using a skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or lightly spray with cooking oil.
- When the grill or skillet is hot, add the patties and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F. Top each burger with the cheese as soon as you flip so it will melt while the burger finishes cooking.
- Assemble the turkey burgers: To serve, slather the base of your toasted bun with mayonnaise. Add the cooked turkey burger patty, and top with cranberry sauce, baby arugula or lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cranberry Sauce: You can use my homemade cranberry sauce or canned cranberry sauce. Leftover cranberry sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Turkey Substitute: You can use ground chicken if you prefer.
- To Make Ahead: You can make the raw turkey burger patties up to 1 day in advance. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover it with plastic wrap in the fridge. Or you can layer them with parchment paper and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- To Freeze: Freeze raw turkey burger patties on a baking sheet until firm. Then layer turkey burgers with parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can cook the patties from frozen or let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American