Italian Turkey Burgers

I love burgers, and in my opinion, they’re perfect for any season! As someone who likes to keep it healthy, I always opt for turkey burgers; they’re an excellent source of protein and a flavorful alternative to traditional beef burgers. 

I’ve got another tasty turkey burger recipe for you today – introducing Italian Turkey Burgers! These bad boys are a delicious twist on the classic turkey burger. They’re sure to win over even the most dedicated beef burger lovers with the combination of savory marinara sauce, nutty Parmesan cheese, and zesty seasonings.

I often whip these up for a quick dinner during the week, but they’re also perfect for serving up at parties. Other turkey burger favorites include Greek Turkey Burgers, Buffalo Turkey Burgers, Chipotle Turkey Burgers, and Barbecue Turkey burgers.

Reasons to love this recipe.

• They are delicious! These turkey burgers are packed with all kinds of delicious Italian flavors. We’re talking marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, and a blend of zesty seasonings are so tasty. Add your favorite toppings like fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and greens, and you’re in for a treat.
• They’re healthier than traditional beef burgers, so you can feel good about chowing down on these without feeling guilty. Our burgers are made with lean ground turkey packed with protein and flavor but with fewer calories and fat. You can thank us later!
• These burgers are super easy to make so you can whip them up for a quick and delicious meal any day of the week or for a weekend party.
• They are perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch of Italian Turkey Burgers and freeze them for an easy, grab-and-go meal when you’re too busy to cook.

How to Make Italian Turkey Burgers

The Italian turkey burger recipe is a mouthwatering twist on the classic burger, bursting with delicious Italian flavors. Made with lean ground turkey, zesty seasonings, and savory marinara sauce, this burger is a healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers without sacrificing flavor.

The Ingredients

Here are all of the ingredients to make this Italian-style turkey burger recipe.

• Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is a lean, high-protein alternative to beef that’s perfect for burgers; it’s lower in fat and calories but still deliciously juicy and flavorful.
• Marinara Sauce: This classic Italian sauce is made with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, and it adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor to our burgers, and it also helps keep the patties moist and juicy.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This tangy sauce is a staple in my turkey burger recipes; it adds a rich flavor to the meat. You can also use soy sauce or Tamari sauce as a gluten-free alternative.
• Parmesan Cheese: A little bit of grated cheese adds another layer of flavor to these burgers. 
• Garlic Powder: This spice adds garlic flavor to the patties without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, Italian seasoning adds a zesty, herbaceous flavor to the burgers. You can use store-bought or try this tasty homemade Italian seasoning.
• Fresh Mozzarella: It’s a classic Italian cheese that pairs perfectly with the marinara sauce and Italian seasonings while adding a creamy, melty texture to the turkey burgers. 
• Rolls: Choose your favorite type of rolls to serve these burgers on. Brioche, whole wheat, or sourdough all work well. Or keep it low-carb and serve in a lettuce wrap.
• Toppings: Finish off your burgers with your favorite toppings. Tomato slices, onions, and greens like lettuce, baby spinach, or arugula are all great options. Add mayo, pesto, or Italian dressing for extra flavor.

The Instructions

Start by combining the ground turkey, marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium to large bowl. Mix everything until all the ingredients are combined.

Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form them into burger patties. Make sure they’re not too thick, so they cook evenly on the grill.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and let it heat up for a few minutes. You can also make this with an indoor grill pan.

Once the grill is hot, add the patties and cook for 5 minutes on each side.

Add a slice of fresh mozzarella to each patty and cook for another minute until the cheese melts. The internal temperature needs to be at 165 for a safe eating temperature.

Remove the turkey burgers from the grill and let them sit for a minute or two to cool slightly. This step is also important for sealing the juices.

Toast your favorite rolls on the grill or in a toaster oven, and prepare your toppings.

Build your burgers by adding the patties to the rolls and topping them with your favorite toppings, like tomato slices, onions, and greens. You can also add a dollop of mayo, pesto, or Italian dressing for extra flavor if you’d like!

Cooking tips

• Don’t overwork the ground turkey mixture when mixing the ingredients; this can make the burgers tough. Mix everything just enough to combine the ingredients.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure your burgers are cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F. This is especially important if you’re cooking thicker burgers.
• To prevent the burgers from sticking to the grill, brush the grill grates with a little bit of oil or cooking spray before adding the burgers.
• If you don’t have a grill, cook these burgers on a stovetop grill pan or in a regular nonstick skillet. Just cook them on medium-high heat until they’re cooked through. You can also broil 4 inches from the heat for 5-6 minutes on each side until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees.

Substitutions and Swaps

• Ground turkey: You can substitute ground chicken, beef, or pork for ground turkey. Or you can mix turkey sausage in with the ground turkey for more flavor.
• Marinara sauce: You can use tomato-based pasta sauce or even pizza sauce as a substitute for marinara sauce.
• Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce, you can use soy sauce or tamari sauce 
• Parmesan cheese: You can use any other hard-grated cheese like Romano, Asiago, or Pecorino Romano if you don’t have Parmesan cheese.
• Garlic powder: You can use fresh minced garlic if you don’t have garlic powder.
• Italian seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use a combination of dried basil, oregano, and thyme instead. To add heat, use a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Mozzarella cheese: If you’re not a fan of mozzarella cheese, you can use any other type of cheese you prefer, such as cheddar, provolone cheese, or even feta.
• Rolls: Instead of rolls, you can use any bread or bun you like, such as a brioche bun, ciabatta bread, or even a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option.
• Toppings: Feel free to add any other toppings you like, such as avocado, roasted red peppers, or even a fried egg for an extra protein boost.

Serving suggestions

Here are some healthy serving suggestions to pair with Italian Turkey Burgers:

• Simple side salad with mixed greens, sliced cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
• Roasted sweet potatoes or zucchini fries.
• Crispy oven-roasted potatoes or these Italian roasted potatoes.
• Grilled veggies like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms. Or these Italian roasted vegetables are delicious.
• Lightly steamed green beans or broccoli.
• A quinoa salad like this delicious Greek quinoa salad.
• A side of brown rice or quinoa for some healthy grains.

Storage Tips

These Italian turkey burgers are the perfect meal prep option for those busy weeks. Here are my storage tips for making them ahead of time:

• For the week: For meal prep, you can prepare the patties and store them raw in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This way, you can cook them fresh on the night you plan to eat. Or, you can make a batch of burgers and store them in the fridge for a quick and easy lunch or dinner throughout the week. When you’re ready to eat, reheat them in the microwave or stovetop.
• For the freezer: If you want to freeze the burgers, wrap each patty individually in plastic or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Don’t forget to label the container with the date and cooking instructions for easy reference later. For more information see my post on freezing burger patties.