Smoky Juicy Turkey Burgers

These Smoky Juicy Turkey Burgers are smokehouse-style burgers and packed with flavor. They are truly crave-worthy with a subtle smokiness and loads of savory toppings including bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, cheese, and BBQ sauce. (And don’t worry – no actual smokehouse is required!)

I have to confess, I sometimes like the idea of turkey burgers more than I do the actual burger because I often find that they tend to be on the dry, flavorless side. It’s not what I’m looking for when I’m craving a good burger. But since I’ve come up with this recipe, turkey burgers are back on the menu. There are a couple of things that make this a flavorful and juicy turkey burger.

How to Make Juicy Turkey Burgers with Tons of Flavor:

First, the grill is out. I love grilled burgers, but because turkey is lean meat, it dries out when grilled. What little fat there is just drips out and slips right through the grates of the grill. To get a juicy turkey burger, I prefer to cook it in my cast iron skillet.

Second, add in lots of flavor. In this recipe, seasoned salt, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika give the turkey burger a savory, smoky flavor. And then the bacon, caramelized onions, and mushrooms, along with Colby cheese and BBQ sauce transform this burger from good to something spectacular. I mean, the seasoned burgers are good on their own, but the toppings make it something amazing.

So let’s talk about some of the ingredients that go into an incredible Smokehouse Turkey Burger:

Ground Turkey – Don’t go too lean with the ground turkey or your burger won’t be juicy. I prefer somewhere between 85% to 93% lean. I would avoid using all-white or 99% lean ground turkey.

Smoked Paprika – You could substitute regular sweet paprika, but smoked paprika is part of what gives these burgers the smokehouse flavor. So definitely opt for the smoked paprika if you have it. 

Seasoned Salt – I use Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, but any seasoned salt should work fine. You can also use a salt-free seasoning blend like Mrs. Dash and then add salt to your preference. 

Worcestershire Sauce – Worcestershire sauce really amps up the savoriness of these burgers, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute your favorite steak sauce. 

Balsamic Vinegar – The balsamic vinegar adds another layer of flavor to the caramelized onions and mushrooms. If you don’t happen to have any, you can use a splash of apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sugar. 

BBQ Sauce – Use whatever store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce you prefer, but I say that for this recipe, the smokier the sauce the better. 

Cook’s Tips:

• If you’re camping or just prefer to cook your burgers outdoors, you can still do that with this recipe. Simply use your cast iron skillet directly on your gas or charcoal grill. 
• Colby cheese is my choice for this burger, but other cheeses are delicious, too. Try sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, or even Swiss. 
• And I love the mushrooms as a topping, but if you’re not a fan you can always leave the mushrooms out. 
• Serve with your favorite buns. If you’re like me and you enjoy a good homemade bun, try my recipe for Quick and Easy Hamburger Buns. 

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If you try this recipe, I hope you love it! Please let me know in the comments below.

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