Are you on the hunt for a truly juicy, incredibly flavorful, and exciting turkey burger? A burger that is anything but dry, bland, or boring? This amazing, from-scratch Jerk-Spiced Turkey Burger, packed with the brilliant secret ingredient of grated apple and topped with a cool, sweet, and tangy Mango Slaw, is that perfect recipe you’ve been searching for.
This isn’t just another burger recipe; it’s your ultimate guide to solving the number one problem with turkey burgers—dryness—while packing in more flavor than you ever thought possible. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly moist patty and a quick, creative slaw that will completely revolutionize your grilling game. Get ready to create a new family favorite for summer cookouts and easy weeknight dinners.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Juicy Turkey Burger
What makes this Turkey Burger recipe truly “the best” is its brilliant combination of ingredients that guarantee a moist, flavorful result every single time. The secret to the unbelievably juicy patty is the addition of grated fresh apple, which releases moisture as it cooks and adds a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the bold, spicy jerk seasoning. The burger is served with a wonderfully unique and easy Mango Slaw, which gets its complex, sweet-and-tangy flavor from a simple dressing of mayonnaise and mango chutney. It’s a stunning, tropical-inspired burger that is sure to impress.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 burgers |
The Essential Ingredients for This Flavorful Burger
This recipe uses a handful of fresh, high-impact ingredients to create its signature spicy, sweet, and savory flavor.
- The Juicy Turkey Patties:
- Ground Turkey: For the best flavor and moisture, it is recommended to use a ground turkey that is not extra-lean. A 93/7 blend is a fantastic choice that has enough fat to keep the burgers juicy.
- The Secret to Juiciness (Grated Apple!): This is the game-changing ingredient. A grated Granny Smith apple is the key to an unbelievably moist burger. As the burger cooks, the apple releases steam, keeping the lean meat incredibly tender. Its tartness also beautifully balances the rich meat and spicy seasoning.
- Jerk Seasoning: This classic Caribbean spice blend is the secret to the bold, complex flavor. It typically includes a warm and aromatic mix of allspice, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a spicy kick from scotch bonnet peppers.
- The Sweet & Tangy Mango Slaw:
- Mango Chutney: This is a brilliant shortcut to a complex and delicious slaw dressing. A good quality mango chutney provides a wonderful, all-in-one flavor boost that is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.
- The Toasted Buns:
- The Mayo Trick: The recipe uses a fantastic grilling hack of brushing the cut sides of the buns with mayonnaise instead of butter. The oil in the mayonnaise has a higher smoke point, which helps the buns to toast to a beautiful, even, deep golden brown without burning.
Step-by-Step to the Best Turkey Burgers
This delicious meal comes together in just a few simple stages. We’ve also included instructions for cooking these on the stovetop!
Step 1: Make the Sweet & Tangy Mango Slaw
In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup of mayonnaise and the 1/4 cup of roughly chopped mango chutney.
Add the 3 cups of shredded green cabbage, the 1 shredded carrot, and the 1/4 cup of finely chopped scallions to the bowl.
Season the slaw with salt and pepper and toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly and thoroughly coated in the creamy dressing.
Part 2: Mix and Form the Juicy Turkey Burgers
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the 1 pound of ground turkey, the 1 tablespoon of jerk seasoning, the 1 peeled and grated green apple, 1/4 cup of the finely chopped scallions, and the 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Season the mixture with a generous pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
Step 2: Use your clean hands to gently mix all the ingredients together until they are just combined.
Pro Tip: The number one secret to a tender burger is to not overmix the meat mixture.
Step 3: Form the mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties. Use your thumb to make a small, shallow indentation in the middle of each patty. This classic grilling trick will prevent the burgers from puffing up into a dome shape as they cook, ensuring they stay flat and cook evenly.
Part 3: Grill to Perfection
Step 1: Preheat your grill or a grill pan to a medium-high heat.
Step 2: Brush the grill grates with canola oil to prevent the burgers from sticking.
Step 3: Grill the turkey patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until they are beautifully browned with nice grill marks and are cooked all the way through.
Pro Tip: The only 100% foolproof way to guarantee a perfectly cooked, not dry, turkey burger is to use an instant-read thermometer. The burgers are perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the patty registers 165°F (74°C).
Step 4: Toast the Buns and Assemble
Step 1: Brush the cut sides of your 4 hamburger buns with a thin layer of mayonnaise and sprinkle them with a little extra jerk seasoning.
Step 2: Place the buns, with the cut-side down, on the hot grill and toast them for about 30 seconds, until they are a beautiful golden brown.
Step 3: Assemble your masterpieces! Serve the hot, grilled turkey burgers on the toasted buns, with a generous, heaping pile of the cool and creamy mango slaw.
Stovetop Instructions
If you don’t have a grill, you can easily cook these burgers in a large skillet (a cast-iron skillet is perfect!). Simply heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast weeknight meal, you can prepare both the turkey patties and the mango slaw up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store any leftover cooked patties and the slaw in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Ground Meat: If you’re not a fan of ground turkey, this recipe is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of ground chicken.
- Make it Spicier: For a more authentic, fiery jerk flavor, you can add 1/2 of a finely minced scotch bonnet or habanero pepper to the turkey burger mixture.
- Add a Grilled Pineapple Twist: A slice of grilled pineapple is a fantastic and delicious addition to this tropical-inspired burger. Simply grill a few rings of fresh pineapple alongside your burgers and add it to your finished sandwich.
Enjoy Your New Favorite Burger!
You’ve just created a truly special burger that is a perfect harmony of juicy, savory, spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. This Jerk-Spiced Turkey Burger with Mango Slaw is a testament to the power of a few simple, creative ingredients to transform a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new staple in your grilling repertoire.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and impressive meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to a juicy, not dry, turkey burger?
This recipe has the ultimate secret weapon: grated apple! The grated apple mixed into the lean ground turkey adds a huge amount of moisture to the patties, which steams the meat from the inside as it cooks and guarantees a wonderfully juicy and tender result every single time. The panko breadcrumbs and not overmixing the meat also help to keep them tender.
Q2: How do I know for sure when my turkey burger is cooked through?
Because it is poultry, it is very important that your turkey burgers are cooked all the way through. The only 100% foolproof way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. The burgers are perfectly and safely cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the patty registers 165°F (74°C).
Q3: What is jerk seasoning?
Jerk is a style of cooking that is native to Jamaica. The flavor comes from a special, hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. It is typically a complex and aromatic blend that includes allspice and scotch bonnet peppers as its two key ingredients, along with other spices like cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, and scallions.
Q4: Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead meal for a party! You can prepare both the uncooked patties and the mango slaw and store them in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This makes the final grilling and assembly incredibly fast.
Q5: Can I freeze the uncooked turkey patties?
Yes, these patties freeze beautifully! Simply place the formed, uncooked patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until they are solid. Then, you can transfer the frozen patties to a freezer-safe, resealable bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before you grill them.