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These Jalapeño Turkey Burgers just added a whole lot more personality to burger nights! They’re juicy, packed with flavor, and just spicy enough to make a statement. They prove that a few simple ingredients can turn an ordinary weeknight dinner into something you’ll look forward to.
The burgers start with seasoned ground turkey that’s mixed with minced jalapeño peppers, shredded pepper jack cheese, egg, and panko bread crumbs to make a burger that is tender and packed with flavor. The jalapeños and pepper jack cheese have a kick of heat without being overwhelming. And when topped with extra melty pepperjack cheese, it adds some extra creaminess to each bite. The patties are delicious on their own, but they’re irresistibly good sandwiched between a brioche bun with your favorite burger toppings.
Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer cookout or looking for a burger to bake in the oven for an easy weeknight dinner, these jalapeño turkey burgers will make dinner feel a little more exciting!
Why You’ll Love These Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
- Savory, cheesy, smoky flavor! Each bite is packed with bold flavors that keep every bite interesting. The combination of the seasoned turkey, a bit of spice from the jalapeños, and the smoky, spicy cheddar jack cheese sandwiched between two buns is a delicious combo!
- A lighter dinner option. If you’re looking to change up a traditional beef burger recipe, these turkey burgers are an equally satisfying option that uses lean meat.
- They make dinner feel a little more exciting! If you’re in a rut and not sure what to make for dinner, these jalapeño turkey burgers will not disappoint! You will be surprised by what a few tweaks to a classic burger can make all the difference.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Burgers
- Ground turkey
- Jalapeños
- Red onion
- Garlic cloves
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Pepperjack cheese
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Limes (juiced)
- Salt and pepper
Extras
- Brioche or sesame seed buns
- Avocado
- Pepperjack cheese
- Onion slices
- Burger sauce
How to Make Jalapeno Turkey Burgers, Step by Step
Step 1. Preheat the oven and prep the baking sheet.
First step is to prep your workspace. Start by preheating the oven to 425°F. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside while you make the burgers.
Step 2. Add the turkey and the remaining burger ingredients to a large bowl. Work the meat together until evenly blended.
In a large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, minced onion, garlic, and jalapeños, shredded cheese, seasonings, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.
Work the ingredients into the meat until just evenly combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat. Overworking the meat will lead to a tough, dry burger.
Step 3. Form burgers and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Pinch off 3-4 ounces of meat for each patty. This recipe should make about 8 burgers. Roll them into a ball and gently press them to form a patty shape. Make sure they are just a bit larger than your hamburger buns because they will shrink in the oven.
Place the assembled burgers on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a couple of inches between each patty.
Cook the burgers in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the burgers over halfway through so that both sides get crisp.
Step 4. Melt slices of cheese on top and prep the rest of the toppings to assemble the burgers.
When the burgers have about 5 minutes left to bake, add slices of pepperjack cheese to the top for a little extra spice and flavor. Once the burgers have reached an internal temperature of 165°F, they are done baking.
Enjoy them on their own or prep some of your favorite burger toppings. Assemble your jalapeño turkey burgers and enjoy them hot!
Tips for Making Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
- Don’t overwork the turkey mixture. Gently mix the turkey burger ingredients together in a bowl until just combined. Overmixing the meat can make the burgers tough and dense. You want them juicy and tender!
- Make the patties slightly wider than your buns. The burgers will shrink as they cook, so making them a bit wider will help make them fit perfectly in the burger bun.
- Don’t skip the cheese! We added shredded pepper jack cheese to the meat for extra moisture and an additional kick of heat.
- Flip the burgers halfway through. Cook the burgers for about 10-12 minutes on each side, flipping them halfway through to roast evenly on both sides. If you don’t, you’ll have a soggy bottom.
Recipe FAQ
Chilling and Freezing Uncooked Turkey Burgers
Once you form the patties, store them in an airtight container with a piece of parchment paper between each layer of patties. They are fresh in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours ahead of baking. Or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to store leftover turkey burgers
Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet, oven, or microwave until warmed through.
More Yummy Breakfast Recipes:
Jalapeño Turkey Burgers
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 burgers 1x
Description
These jalapeño turkey burgers are juicy, flavorful, and packed with fresh jalapeño, pepper jack cheese, lime, and smoky spices for a spicy twist on classic turkey burgers that’s perfect for summer grilling, patio parties, or easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Burgers
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 large jalapeño (or 2 small), finely chopped
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Shredded pepperjack cheese
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to season
- Juice of 1 lime
Extras:
- Brioche or sesame seed bun
- Avocado
- Cheddar cheese
- Extra onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add ground meat, chopped onion, jalapeño, garlic, egg, panko, cheese, seasonings, and lime juice.
- Use your hands or a large spoon to work the meat together until everything is evenly blended. Be careful not to overwork the meat – it will become tough if overworked.
- Once everything is mixed into the meat, form into patties and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure the patties are slightly wider than your burger buns because they will shrink some as they cook.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes on each side or grill on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes on each side. In the last 3-5 minutes, add a slice of cheese on top to melt
- While the burgers are baking, prep your toppings.
- When you’re ready to make your burgers, top with a patty, lettuce, red onions, mashed avocado or your favorite toppings. They are also delicious by themselves, paired with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
