Do you love the delicious taste of homemade burgers, but wish you could put a new twist on a classic fave? This Thai turkey burger just might be your new favorite homemade burger recipe.
This Thai turkey burger is not your typical turkey burger! Juicy and flavorful, this burger will be a hit at any backyard barbecue!
Burgers are delicious all year long; there's just something about juicy grilled meat, crisp veggies, and your favorite toppings that make them almost everyone's go-to classic dinner.
Whether you're enjoying classic American bacon cheeseburgers, fun and trendy avocado bacon burgers, the gourmet taste of bleu cheese burgers, or the southern flavors of Crock Pot Barbeque Burgers, burgers are delicious.
But these Thai turkey burgers take it to a whole other level that will make your mouth water. The classic goodness of a burger meets the light yet slightly dusky taste of turkey meat on the grill with a sweet yet spicy Asian twist.
Your next backyard BBQ menu is doing to wow your friends and delight your family.
Why I love this homemade burger recipe
Turkey burgers are a great foundation for this zesty, Thai inspired homemade burger recipe. Lower in fat than a traditional beef burger with a slightly milder flavor that really showcases your crisp, fresh slaw and homemade Thai sauce, they are just right for this recipe. Just be sure to cook them all the way; unlike beef, well done is the only acceptable option.
The magic happens in the cool crispness of Asian slaw and the tangy sweetness of Thai glaze.
The simple Asian inspired cole slaw is easy because you can start with a mix of bagged, mixed broccoli slaw or shredded cabbage. The dressing is soy sauce (or you can use Coconut Amino's if you're avoiding soy), lime juice, and vinegar.
Try to use a slaw mix with the purple cabbage if you can find it, as the combination of flavors really punches the overall tastes in this homemade Thai turkey burger recipe up a notch.
The savory Thai sauce will remind you of peanut chicken. The flavor of red curry, the savory peanut butter, the tang of lime, and the sweetness of honey converge to make this backyard burger a decadent and luxurious experience. Who knew burgers could be so yummy?
There is nothing dry or flavorless about this Thai turkey burger! It's a juicy, tasty patty piled high with colorful, delicious textures and flavors.
The best part is that even though the flavors border on elegant, you're still enjoying the classic burger on a bun experience that's just right for summer evenings, family gatherings, casual BBQs, and grilling season.
Sweet, refreshing, flavorful, and just a bit smoky, this Asian inspired burger is the perfect twist on your favorite homemade burger recipe.
Steps for making this homemade burger recipe
Turkey Burger Patty Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for the burger patties: ground turkey, onion, garlic, red curry paste, and dried cilantro. The onion and garlic can be fresh, or you can use frozen onion and jarred minced garlic if you like to keep things super-easy!
Gather your ingredients to make the burger patties.
Step 1.
Place the burger patty ingredients in a medium bowl.
The burger patty ingredients are ready to be combined.
Step 2.
Mix well!
Mix all the burger ingredients together before forming into patties.
Step 3.
Form the ground turkey mixture into 4 patties, and place on the grill.
The turkey burger patties are ready for cooking!
Peanut Sauce Ingredients
While the turkey burgers are cooking, gather the ingredients for the peanut sauce: chunky peanut butter, honey, red curry paste, lime juice and soy sauce. The lime juice can be fresh or from a bottle.
Gather your ingredients to make the peanut sauce.
Step 4.
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
The peanut sauce is the shining star of this homemade burger recipe!
Slaw Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for the Asian-style slaw: broccoli slaw (or shredded cabbage), rice vinegar, soy cause, and lime juice. Try to pick colorful broccoli slaw or shredded cabbage for the prettiest burger presentation!
Gather your ingredients to make the Asian-style slaw.
Step 5.
Place the slaw ingredients together in a medium bowl and toss to thoroughly combine.
The broccoli slaw balances this homemade burger recipe out with a nice crunchy texture and tangy flavor!
Step 6.
The burger patties are ready once they are cooked to well-done (use a meat thermometer to make sure the centers are at least 165 degrees F)
These Thai turkey burger patties are almost done!
TIPS for making this homemade burger recipe perfect every time
- You can substitute rice vinegar for the rice wine vinegar. Rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are actually the same thing.
- Don't overcook the burger. Use an electronic meat thermometer and check often once they start to look cooked on the outside.
- Make sure you preheat the grill so that you will get a nice sear on the outside to seal in those juices. Plus, your patties won't be as likely to stick to the grill.
- Cook on medium high heat. If the heat is too high, the outside will get dry while the inside is not cooked. If the heat is too low, you will need to cook it for too long and the meat will dry out.
- Don't skip the onion in the patties. They are a huge help in keeping those turkey burgers from drying out.
Variations for this homemade burger recipe
- Feel free to use beef instead of turkey if you prefer! It will definitely give you a different, yet still delicious result.
- You can use bagged shredded cabbage instead of the broccoli slaw.
- If you like some heat in your burgers, add some sriracha sauce in either the burger mixture or the peanut sauce mixture (or both). I like to add it in the peanut sauce mixture because it is easy to test the level of heat and add more if needed.
- Add more purple cabbage to the slaw if you want a more colorful crunch.
- Add some chopped scallions to the slaw for an even bigger flavor experience.
This homemade burger recipe will blow you away with all the complementary tastes and textures!
Related Recipes
Interested in more ground turkey recipes? Try this amazing Ground Turkey Pasta with Broccoli. It's perfect for any busy weekend!
Or for a different ground turkey casserole option, you can check out my Ground Turkey Alfredo Casserole.
Or for something a little different, make these easy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs (oven directions also provided).
Thai Turkey Burgers: Homemade Burger Recipe
This Thai turkey burger pairs well with fresh, crisp veggies or sweet potato fries (try making some extra Thai sauce for dipping!). Other great BBQ side dishes include potato and grilled corn salad, avocado cucumber quinoa salad, delicious grilled potatoes, and classic Boston baked beans.
Or check out this yummy Potato Salad Recipe!
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📋 Recipe Card
Thai Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
For the burgers:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (or use 1 cup frozen chopped onion)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (fresh or jarred)
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
For the peanut sauce:
For the slaw:
- 4 cups broccoli slaw (or shredded cabbage)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
To make the burgers:
- Combine the burger ingredients (ground turkey, onion, garlic, red chili paste, dried cilantro) in a bowl.1 pound ground turkey, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon red curry paste, 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
- Divide the burger mixture into 4 sections and form each section into a patty.
- Spray the grill or grill pan with nonstick spray and heat on medium high. Place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes each side, until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove and set aside.
To make the peanut butter sauce and slaw (while the burgers are cooking):
- Combine the broccoli slaw, lime juice, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce in a medium bowl to make the slaw4 cups broccoli slaw, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Once the patties are cooked, build the burger by placing it on a bun, topping with peanut sauce, and then piling on the slaw. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.1 bunch fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, chili paste, and lime juice in a bowl to make the sauce.⅔ cup chunky peanut butter, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons red curry paste, 2 tablespoons lime juice
Notes
- Note that rice vinegar is the same as rice wine vinegar, so either one
- Make sure to not overcook the burger. Instant read meat thermometers are super handy to have to measure the internal temperature of the burgers.
- Definitely preheat your grill, and cook the burgers on medium high heat. Heat that is too high will dry out the outside of the burger while leaving the inside raw. Heat that is too low will require a long cooking time which will also dry out the burger.
- Beef can be used instead of turkey if you prefer.
- For a kick of spiciness, add some sriracha to the peanut sauce. I like to add it in the peanut sauce mixture instead of the burger, because it is easy to test the level of heat and add more if needed.
- Chopped scallions are another great addition in the slaw if you want an even bigger flavor experience!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Okokimup
This is not a burger. There is nothing to bind it together and the whole patty falls apart. It's not even as cohesive as sloppy joe. The flavors are good, but if I were to make this again I would mix in an egg.
Kristin
I'm so sorry you had this trouble! I have made this quite a few times and did not experience that issue. I'm glad you like the flavors, though, and it's a good idea to add in an egg next time if yours is not staying together. Thanks for coming by!
Christie
Satay sauce on a burger is AWESOME! I put one on mine with ground pork, but I can't wait to try your turkey version. Looks awesome.
Greg King
Very tasty! I love the onions in the burger, and all the other flavors work well together!
Kristin
Yay!!! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Sandi
These burgers look amazing. I love all of the step by step photos and directions!
Kristin
Thanks, Sandi! I hope it is all helpful!
Taryn
We eat turkey burgers a lot and this Thai version is a nice change from the basic cheeseburgers we normally have. Thanks!
Kristin
So happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
heather
I love a good burger, and the slaw you created to put on top just takes this to the next level!!
Kristin
I think the slaw is my favorite part of this burger. 🙂 Thanks, Heather!
Lizet Flores de Bowen
I love this twist on burgers! I'm always up to trying new things. You have a delicious list of different burgers I want to try 🙂
Kristin
Thanks, Lizet. Enjoy!
Jaclyn Shimmel
From the peanut sauce to the slaw -- so much flavor! Love this thai burger recipe!
Kristin
Thank you, Jaclyn. So glad you enjoyed it!