Make these Thai Turkey Burgers to take a simple burger to a whole other level! These mouthwatering and flavorful burgers are perfect to throw on the grill for a BBQ or any family dinner.
Featuring a sweet and spicy Asian twist, you'll love the unique flavors and fun take on this classic dish. These burgers are so easy to make but result in a fantastic meal without fail!
Jump to:
- 🩵 About This Recipe
- 🍔 Why I Love this Homemade Burger Recipe
- What readers are saying...
- 🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 🔪 Let's Make Thai Turkey Burgers!
- 💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- ❔ FAQs
- 📝 Substitutions and Variations
- 🥡 Storage and Reheating
- ⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
- 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
- 😋 More Easy Homemade Burger Recipes You'll Love
- 📋 Recipe Card
- 💬 Reviews and Comments
🩵 About This Recipe
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, 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 going to wow your friends and delight your family. Just like Mushroom Swiss Burgers, these Thai burgers are a unique and gourmet take on the classic dish.
🍔 Why I Love this Homemade Burger Recipe
Turkey burgers are a great foundation for this zesty, Thai inspired homemade burger recipe. Turkey is lower in fat than a traditional beef burger with a slightly milder flavor that really showcases your crisp, fresh slaw and homemade Thai sauce. 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.
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?
Sweet, refreshing, flavorful, and just a bit smoky, this Asian inspired burger is the perfect twist on your favorite homemade burger recipe.
Feeling adventurous? Check out this recipe for smoked burgers. Slow smoking is the key to these juicy, delicious burgers!
What readers are saying...
From the peanut sauce to the slaw - so much flavor! Love this thai burger recipe!
- Jaclyn
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- ground turkey - the lean, mild‑flavored protein base that lets the Thai seasonings and toppings shine.
- onion - frozen chopped onion is a great shortcut ingredient.
- garlic - I like to use jarred minced garlic for convenience.
- red curry paste - gives these burgers an amazing Thai-inspired flavor profile.
- cilantro - adds a pop of herbal freshness.
- chunky peanut butter - smooth works too, but the added texture of the peanuts makes this sauce irresistible!
- soy sauce - enhances the flavor of the turkey and balances the richness of the other sauce ingredients.
- honey - for a bit of natural sweetness.
- red curry paste - brings a bold, spicy kick that gives the burgers their distinctive taste.
- lime juice - balances the sauce with a bit of citrus zing.
- broccoli slaw - a great base for any homemade slaw.
- lime juice - adds bright, tangy acidity that freshens the slaw.
- red wine vinegar - adds a slightly sweet and bright flavor.
- soy sauce - deepens the flavor of the slaw and complements the other Thai‑inspired ingredients.
🔪 Let's Make Thai Turkey Burgers!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Gather Ingredients
Place the burger patty ingredients in a medium bowl.
Mix Well
Stir with a spoon (or your hands) until well combined.
Form Patties
Form the ground turkey mixture into 4 patties, and place on the grill.
Cook Patties
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).
Make Sauce
Combine all sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
Make Slaw
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the slaw. Assemble burgers and enjoy!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- 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.
- Be sure to carefully chop the onion so it mixes into the patties.
- Don't overmix the patties or you may end up with burgers on the tough side.
❔ FAQs
The high sodium content of the soy sauce tends to draw out the moisture from the slaw mixture. Allow it to sit for a bit after mixing and drain out extra liquid before adding to your burgers.
Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F to ensure the burgers are cooked and safe to eat.
Be sure not to overcook the burgers to prevent them from drying out. As soon as the burgers hit the minimum temperature, pull them off the grill. You may also be able to pull them a few degrees under, as they'll continue to cook slightly from the residual heat even off direct heat.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Feel free to use beef instead of turkey if you prefer! It will definitely give you a different yet still delicious result.
- For some extra heat, add a bit of sriracha to the sauce.
- 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.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
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!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover Asian turkey burgers, store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. I recommend keeping the sauce and slaw in separate containers as well.
Reheat burgers in a skillet or in the microwave. The slaw and sauce can be used right out of the fridge!
⏳ Make Ahead Instructions
Feel free to form the patties a day or so ahead of time. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place small pieces of parchment between them to prevent sticking. They'll be good for up to 2 days in the fridge, or you can freeze them for 3 to 4 months.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for these thai turkey burgers right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
These Thai turkey burgers pair 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!
😋 More Easy Homemade Burger Recipes You'll Love
- Turkey Burger Sliders - If you can't get enough turkey burgers, these adorable sliders are so easy to make and great for entertaining!
- Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup - This amazing homemade soup is an ideal comfort meal for the fall and winter.
- Easy Hamburger Casserole - A fun twist on the classic burger, the whole family will love this hearty and savory casserole.
- Old School Pizza Burgers - Can't decide if you want pizza or burgers for dinner? With this recipe from Feels Like Home, you don't have to decide!
get your copy now!
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Asian Turkey Burgers
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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:
- ⅔ cup chunky peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
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:
- 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
To make the slaw:
- 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
Assemble the burgers:
- 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
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Finely chop the onion so it blends smoothly into the turkey mixture, or save time by using frozen chopped onion.
- Rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are the same thing, so use whichever you have on hand.
- Be careful not to overmix the turkey, which can make the burgers dense. Mix just until combined.
- 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.
- An instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. Pull the burgers as soon as they hit 165 degrees F to keep them juicy.
Variation Suggestions:
- Swap ground beef for turkey if you prefer a richer flavor.
- Add sriracha to the peanut sauce for extra heat. Mixing it into the sauce makes it easy to taste and adjust the spice level.
- Stir chopped scallions into the slaw for even more flavor and crunch.
- If you like things extra herby, add fresh chopped cilantro directly into the burger mixture.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve on toasted buns with plenty of peanut sauce and a generous pile of slaw.
- These burgers are also great wrapped in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
- Pair with sweet potato fries, coconut rice, or a simple cucumber salad on the side.
- Leftover peanut sauce is great as a dip for veggies or drizzled over rice bowls.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Keep the peanut sauce and slaw stored separately for best texture.
- Reheat burgers gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2019, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in February 2026.
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Deb Clark says
The sauce on these burgers sounds SO GOOD! I can't wait to give it a try!
Kristin King says
It is super tasty, if I do say so myself. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
Okokimup says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Very tasty! I love the onions in the burger, and all the other flavors work well together!
Kristin says
Yay!!! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Sandi says
These burgers look amazing. I love all of the step by step photos and directions!
Kristin says
Thanks, Sandi! I hope it is all helpful!
Taryn says
We eat turkey burgers a lot and this Thai version is a nice change from the basic cheeseburgers we normally have. Thanks!
Kristin says
So happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
heather says
I love a good burger, and the slaw you created to put on top just takes this to the next level!!
Kristin says
I think the slaw is my favorite part of this burger. 🙂 Thanks, Heather!
Lizet Flores de Bowen says
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 says
Thanks, Lizet. Enjoy!
Jaclyn Shimmel says
From the peanut sauce to the slaw -- so much flavor! Love this thai burger recipe!
Kristin says
Thank you, Jaclyn. So glad you enjoyed it!