This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
My wife only likes turkey for her burgers. So we do not have burgers too often, but when we do, I use ground turkey, and sometimes, ground chicken. The big difference between using turkey or beef is that turkey requires more flavor additions. When using beef, the beef has a lot of flavor and beyond adding salt and pepper, not much needs to be added. However, when using turkey, flavor really needs to be added if you want to have a savory dining experience.
Mexican Turkey Burgers
Mexican Turkey Burgers
This Mexican Turkey Burgers recipe took advantage of two cooking tricks. First, using great spices including New Mexican chili powder, smoked paprika and the secret ingredient is Sunny Oaxaca Рan ancho coffee rub. I am totally in love with this spice. I have used it in a number of recipes. I have been using it as a rub on the outside of my dishes. It has such a cool and distinct taste. It is really difficult to describe but it is smoky, a little spicy and that coffee aroma. The second technique I used to add flavor was to saut̩ the onions, peppers and leeks in spices before mixing them into the ground turkey.
I have made a number of turkey burgers including an Indian Turkey Burger, a number of Mexican Burgers and a more traditional burger with grilled onions, smoked gouda cheese and BBQ sauce. In each of these burgers, the bottom line is the addition of bold yet complimentary ingredients to make the turkey burger satisfying to even a tried and true beef burger lover.
The spices, vegetables in the skillet, and then, sautéed vegetables.
Spices
Sauteing onions, peppers and leeks.
Spices Added to Vegetables
The onions, leeks and peppers added to ground turkey, and then, the burgers formed.
Vegetables added to Ground Turkey
Burgers Formed
The burgers being grilled in a cast iron skillet and topped with the cheese.
Burgers in Skillet
Cheese Added
The Mexican Turkey Burger plated.
Mexican Turkey Burgers plated
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
- 1 leek, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon grape seed oil
- 1 tablespoon Sunny oaxaca seasoning
- 1 tablespoon New Mexico Chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 4 buns
- 4 tomato slices
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 pieces romaine lettuce, cut in half
- 6 - 8 slices smoked gouda
- 1/2 cup spicy barbecue sauce
- Heat a cast iron skillet on medium heat and heat the oil.
- Add the vegetables to the skillet.
- Combine the spices and to the vegetables. Saute for about 3 - 4 minutes until the veggies just become soft.
- Allow the veggies to cool a little. Add to the ground turkey and mix well.
- Form into 4 good size patties.
- In the same skillet spice with the vegetables, add the grape seed oil and cook until well heated.
- Add the burgers and cook for 5 - 6 minutes per side.
- In the final minute of cooking, add the cheese to the burgers.
- Let the burgers rest for 1 – 2 minutes.
- Assemble the sandwich
- Begin with the lettuce and add the burger.
- Top with tomato and 2 or 3 slices of the avocados.
- Finish with the barbecue sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!
These sound amazing! LOVE the blend of spices in the turkey. Just delicious!
I tend not to be light on my spice when I go Mexican.
This looks like a great recipe. I love beef but turkey is so much healthier. I like your suggestions on how to make it tastier, especially the one about mixing in sauteed vegetables. Thanks!!
Sharon, your thinking was mine as well. Getting all the flavor and a little bit healthier is a good combination.
You are absolutely right, turkey requires a lot of additional seasoning compared to beef. Your flavor combo is something that may actually get my husband to eat a turkey burger…. the smoked paprika especially sounds delicious! Another recipe of yours that is a must make on my list!
You are sweet Michele. Make it and don’t tell your husband it is turkey and see if he knows.
Oh My burgers and Mexican–my two favorite combos ever!! Perfect looking burgers Peter! Mouth-watering!
Thank you very much Mahy.
That coffee flavoured rub sound perfect Peter. You certainly made these burgers look full of flavour! We don’t use a lot of turkey in Australia, its such a lean meat though we really should.
It is lean but you have a few different lean choices down under than we do.
I really like all the ingredients in this recipe, especially the smoked paprika. I can just tell it’s going to be amazing. Nothing bland here.
Smoked paprika is my favorite spice. I use it a ton.
Oh these sound great. I love Mexican food and Hungry Hubby loves a burger, it’s a match made in heaven really 😉
That does sound like a good match.
Peter, I completely agree with you. Ground turkey really needs a kick in flavor as it tends to be a bit on the bland side. I like the mix of the sauteed veggies mixed in with the turkey. That definitely solves that problem. I can’t get over how delicious this whole thing looks. YUM.
Thank you for the kind words Mica.
This sounds fantastic. I really love turkey burgers! I usually go with a nice black and blue, but a Mexican burger sounds delicious!
Using turkey is really your tapestry – pick flavors you like.
I am so intrigued by the Sunny Oaxaca. That sounds like my sort of spice blend!!!!
And I am sold on these burgers, we like to use minced turkey for our burgers and I can’t wait to try this Mexican version!
It is coming into Autumn here but there are still plenty of hot weekends to enjoy a barbie 🙂
Love the Australian barbie you are throwing out there. I wonder if you can find this kind of spice down under?