If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious burger, look no further than these smoked turkey burgers.
Yes, you heard that right! Take these delicious homemade turkey patties to the smoker for a fantastic treat. The low and slow smoke will increase flavor while keeping these turkey burgers juicy and tender. Serve them in a bun, or serve them wrapped in lettuce leaves for a hearty low-carb, keto-friendly meal!
Which ground turkey is best for smoked turkey burgers?
We recommend using a combination of dark and lean ground turkey, or 80/20. Avoid extra lean ground breast meat. The dark meat will produce a juicy, flavorful burger.
What is the best wood for turkey burgers?
Use apple or cherry or pecan wood for poultry. These burgers cook for a short time and, because they are small, will absorb smoke flavor quickly. Anything too overpowering, like hickory or mesquite, will result in bitter turkey patties.
Tip: Use your favorite BBQ rub for this recipe, or use one of our quick and easy homemade rubs! We highly recommend our Easy Creole Turkey Rub!
Ingredients
- Ground turkey, 80/20 (combination light and dark meat)
- Turkey rub
- Olive oil (about 1/2 to 1 tsp)
- Hamburger buns (standard-size)
- Provolone, swiss, or pepper jack cheese
- 1 large tomato
- Iceberg lettuce leaves (about 4-5)
- Smoked garlic sauce (basically a garlic mayonnaise)
You will need either a flat-top griddle pan for your grill or a large cast-iron skillet to cook these turkey burgers. As always, keep a reliable meat thermometer close by!
How to make it
- Prepare your pellet grill or smoker for 250 degrees F.
- Form ground turkey into four equal-sized patties. They will be a little soft. That’s okay! You will be cooking these on a flat surface to start.
- Place the patties onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and sprinkle turkey burger patties with BBQ rub.
Smoking turkey burgers
Oil the skillet or flat-top griddle. Let it heat up on the grill until you see a wisp of white smoke.
Using a spatula, carefully transfer turkey patties into the skillet (or griddle). Close the lid, and smoke the burgers for 35-45 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
You’ll notice that the juices have formed around the burgers. If this happens, simply remove the burgers from the skillet and place them directly onto the grill grates. They will be set up enough to do so.
- Next, add cheese slices. You might need to trim the cheese to fit.
- Close the lid once more and let the smoked turkey burgers cook for 3-4 more minutes.
- Once the cheese has melted and the internal temperature of the patties reaches 170 degrees F, they are done.
- Remove, and place them onto buns with garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato. Serve and enjoy!
Additional topping ideas
Serve these juicy turkey burgers with applewood smoked bacon, smoked onions, guacamole, pickled jalapenos, or queso. Our heavenly comeback sauce and fried pickles are great on these burgers!
Storing leftovers
Store leftover smoked turkey burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after cooking. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
Like this recipe? Here are more burgers and sandwiches to try!
Smoked Turkey Burgers
Equipment
- 1 Grill or smoker
- 1 cast-iron skillet or griddle pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound ground turkey 80/20 (combination light and dark meat)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons BBQ rub
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 hamburger buns standard-size
- 4 slices of provolone swiss, or pepper jack cheese
- 1 large tomato sliced
- Iceberg lettuce leaves about 4-5
- Smoked garlic sauce
Instructions
- Prepare your pellet grill or smoker for 250 degrees F.
- Form ground turkey into four equal-sized patties. They will be a little soft. That’s okay! You will be cooking these on a flat surface to start.
- Season with BBQ rub.
- Oil the skillet or flat-top griddle. Let it heat up on the grill until you see a wisp of white smoke.
- Using a spatula, carefully transfer turkey patties into the skillet (or griddle). Close the lid, and smoke the burgers for 35-45 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- You’ll notice that the juices have formed around the burgers. If this happens, simply remove the burgers from the skillet and place them directly onto the grates. They will be set up enough to do so.
- Next, add cheese slices. You might need to trim the cheese to fit.
- Close the lid once more and let the smoked turkey burgers cook for 3-4 more minutes.
- Once the cheese has melted and the internal temperature of the patties reaches 170 degrees F, they are done.
- Remove, and place them onto buns with garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato. Serve and enjoy!
