These full-of-flavor Tuscan Turkey Burgers are the most delicious twist on a traditional burger. This turkey burger recipe is a lean alternative to ground beef burgers, but don’t worry – these juicy, tender burgers definitely bring the flavor, thanks to sun-dried tomatoes plus delicious Tuscan herbs and seasonings!
This is the BEST turkey burger recipe, bursting with so much rustic Italian flavor!
I’ve been loving the Tuscan flavor profile lately, and have been making these along with my spinach feta turkey burgers and turkey burger sliders on repeat. These burgers are positively bursting with flavor thanks to sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, and more.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Fast & easy dinner – This is a ground turkey burger recipe that makes such an easy dinner, ready in 30 minutes!
- Perfect for feeding a crowd – They might be great for family dinners, but they’re also terrific for feeding a crowd! The recipe as written makes eight burgers, but is easily doubled or tripled for a larger group.
- Lighter than ground beef – Made with lean white meat, Tuscan Turkey Burgers are a healthy alternative to traditional hamburgers.
- Veggies built in – With spinach in the turkey burger recipe, plus veggies layered on the bun, these Tuscan Turkey Burgers provide an effortless serving of veggies.
Recipe Notes
This Tuscan Turkey Burgers recipe is as simple as promised! All it takes is 30 minutes to make this family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Tuscan Turkey Burgers to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the Tuscan seasoning:
- Garlic powder & onion powder – Both ingredients add savory, irresistible flavor.
- Rosemary, oregano, & basil – Dried seasonings that add wonderful rustic Italian vibes!
- Crushed red pepper flakes – Crushed red peppers add a touch of heat. If you’re feeding kids or those sensitive to spiciness, you can reduce this ingredient or leave it out.
- Salt & pepper – To highlight the Tuscan flavors! Adjust however you like.
For the aioli:
- Mayonnaise – Use your favorite mayo product. Miracle Whip, light mayonnaise, or olive oil mayo all work.
- Sun-dried tomatoes – Be sure to get the kind that are packed in oil for the most flavor (but you will drain the oil before using).
- Garlic – Just one clove adds zippy flavor to your spread.
For the turkey burger patties:
- Ground turkey – Use whichever type of ground turkey you prefer. A lean blend is completely fine – the other ingredients will help keep the patty moist and juicy.
- Tuscan seasoning – The spice blend listed separately. Or, you can follow this Tuscan Seasoning recipe to make a larger batch for adding a Tuscan touch to many other recipes!
- Sun-dried tomatoes – Choose oil-packed for the best flavor.
- Onion – I call for red onion here, but yellow, white, or sweet will work, too.
- Egg – For binding the burger ingredients together.
- Spinach – Thawed frozen spinach, drained of excess liquid, is perfect for adding a touch of healthy green to your Tuscan Turkey Burgers.
- Olive oil – For cooking the burger patties.
For the turkey burgers:
- Tuscan turkey burger patties
- Bakery buns – Halved and toasted, if you like.
- Aioli – For smearing on the buns.
- Provolone cheese – Adds a melty, creamy touch.
- Lettuce & onion
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Tuscan Turkey Burger Sliders– Divide the patty mixture into 16 even sections, then roll them and flatten into a patty. Cook 2-4 minutes on each side until cooked through and serve on slider buns with the aioli, lettuce, onion, and cheese.
- Bunless Tuscan Turkey Burgers– If you prefer to go without the bun, try wrapping your turkey burgers in sturdy lettuce or serve the patty on a platter with rice and a side salad.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Tuscan Turkey Burgers.
Add the sun-dried tomato aioli ingredients to a medium bowl.
Blend the ingredients together until mostly smooth. Set aside.
Add the turkey, Tuscan seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, egg, and spinach to a medium bowl.
Use your hands to work the mixture together until evenly combined. Divide the mixture into balls and flatten into patties.
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the patties. Cook until golden, flip, and continue cooking until the patty reaches 165˚F internal temperature.
Cut buns in half and toast them if desired. Spread aioli on the buns, add the turkey burger patty, onion, lettuce, and the top bun.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the egg – The egg is an important ingredient! It helps to bind the patty ingredients together for a turkey burger that holds together when you cook and eat it.
- Don’t overmix the patties – Mix the ground turkey and other ingredients together just until incorporated and no more. If it’s overworked, that can lead to dry burgers.
- Avoid crowding the burgers – Make sure each patty has a little space around it so that the burgers can properly sear. If they’re crowded together, it can cause a steaming effect and your burgers won’t brown well or taste nearly as good.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness – As extra insurance, poke a meat thermometer into the center of the burger. If it registers 165°F, it’s done!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Skip the aioli – While it adds amazing flavor, if you’re short on time, these turkey burgers are still delicious without it! Just swap in plain mayo or a store-bought flavored mayo of your choosing.
- Make the patties ahead of time and freeze – Make a double or triple batch of patties then freeze them on a flat baking sheet. When frozen, transfer to an airtight container. When it’s time to eat, just pop them in the hot pan to cook and assemble your burgers. Easy!
- Make the seasoning mix ahead of time – When you whip up a big batch of this Homemade Tuscan Seasoning blend beforehand, it’s just a matter of scooping a bit into your turkey patty ingredients. This is a great little time-saver!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Tuscan Turkey Burger recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Mix and shape the patties.
- Place them on a freezer-safe surface such as a baking sheet, leaving some space in between. Freeze completely.
- When the patties are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container and return them to the freezer for storage.
- When ready to cook, place frozen patties into a hot pan with oil and cook them for 10-15 minutes until cooked through, flipping twice.
How to Freeze Tuscan Turkey Burgers After Cooking
- Allow patties to cool to room temperature.
- Place them on a freezer-safe surface such as a baking sheet, leaving some space in between. Freeze completely.
- When the patties are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container and return them to the freezer for storage.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then saute or microwave to warm them back up.
What to Serve with Tuscan Turkey Burgers
Since this protein-based dinner has the delicious flavors of Italy, it will pair well with many of your favorite Italian or Italian-influenced side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Tuscan Turkey Burger Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftover patties, place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to 6 months
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Tuscan Turkey Burger Salad– Warm up a cooked leftover patty and crumble it over lettuce along with cheese, onion, tomatoes, pickles, or whatever you like. Drizzle with Thousand Island or leftover sun-dried tomato aioli.
- Tuscan Turkey Spaghetti– Chop up leftover burger patties and warm them in marinara or spaghetti sauce and top a plate of pasta with it.
- Tuscan Turkey Chili– Crumble leftover turkey patties into a can of chili to make it heartier, or add it to homemade chili for a flavor twist.
- Tuscan Turkey Mac & Cheese– Crumble leftover cooked patties into mac and cheese for a protein-rich tuscan twist.
Recipe FAQ’s
Why add egg to turkey burgers?
Egg helps to bind the ingredients together, so that your burger patties don’t fall apart when you’re cooking or eating them.
What should my turkey burger internal temp be?
In order to know your turkey burger is safely and completely cooked, the internal temperature should be 165˚F.
Can you eat turkey burgers medium rare?
No. Unlike ground beef burgers, turkey burgers are made with poultry which can contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella and must be cooked completely, to 165˚F internal temperature, in order to be safe to eat.
What is the healthiest meat for burgers?
Lean meat is the healthiest for burgers. Very lean ground beef, ground turkey, and ground chicken are lean meats that work well for the healthiest burgers.
More EASY Ground Turkey Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy ground turkey recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Italian Turkey and Veggie Skillet
- Easy Ground Turkey Stir Fry
- Turkey Teriyaki Bowls
- Taco Zucchini Boats
- Italian Style Ground Turkey Spaghetti
Tuscan Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
For the Tuscan Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
For the Sun Dried Tomato Aioli
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, oil drained
- 1 garlic clove
For the Turkey Burger
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- ¼ cup chopped sun dried tomatoes, oil drained
- ¼ red onion, finely diced
- 1 egg
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and water squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 slices Provolone cheese, (about 8 ounces)
- 8 bakery buns
- 8 Lettuce leaves
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
Instructions
- Make the Tuscan seasoning by combining all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- To make the sun dried tomato aioli, place the mayonnaise in a bowl with the sun dried tomatoes, and garlic. Use a hand blender to blend the ingredients until mostly smooth. Alternately, you can use a small food processor as well. Set aside.
To make the Turkey Burgers
- To the ground turkey, add the Tuscan seasoning, sun dried tomatoes, onion, egg and spinach. Use your hands to work the mixture until everything is evenly combined.
- Divide the turkey mixture into 8 even sections. Use your hands to form each section into a ball then flatten into a patty shape about 5 inches across. Place the patties on individual sheets of parchment paper to make them easy to transfer to cook.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the turkey burger patties. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes, then flip and repeat on the other side. Cook until the patty reaches 165˚F internal temp. At the end of the cooking time, add a slice of provolone cheese to melt.Remove and repeat with remaining turkey burgers until all are cooked.
To assemble the Tuscan Turkey Burgers
- Cut bakery buns in half. Optional: Toast the inside of each bun.
- Spread a tablespoon of the sun dried tomato aioli on the bottom half of each bun.
- Add a slice of lettuce, the turkey burger patty, and top with sliced red onion and the top of the bun.
Recipe Notes
- Ground turkey – Ground chicken can be used in place of the turkey.
- Mix and shape the patties.
- Place them on a freezer-safe surface such as a baking sheet, leaving some space in between. Freeze completely.
- When the patties are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container and return them to the freezer for storage.
- When ready to cook, place frozen patties into a hot pan with oil and cook them for 10-15 minutes until cooked through, flipping twice.
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