Turkey Burger Toppings: 15 Ideas from Healthy Choices to Guilty Pleasures

Move over beef!

Turkey burgers are taking their share of the market because they’re delicious and a lighter option than their beef counterparts.

The challenge?

Turkey can sometimes be a little dry, so today we’ll show you what to put on a turkey burger, so each bite is moist and flavorful.

Even though most of us only get to enjoy a whole turkey around the holidays, turkey burgers can be whipped up anytime with sliced or even fried turkey, giving you the taste you love without hours of preparation.

We’ll bring you easy to make turkey burger toppings recipes that you’ll be eager to try!

We’ll start with healthy toppings for your turkey burger, then move into sauces and progressively more indulgent toppings.

We’ll wrap up with some turkey burger add-ins that you can mix in with the meat to take these burgers to a new level!

No matter how you like them, you’ll be ready to serve a crowd with these exciting turkey burger toppings ideas!

So let’s get started!

What to Put on Turkey Burgers: 15 Toppings for Turkey Burgers

Let’s start off in the guilt-free zone!

These healthy toppings for turkey burgers are plant-based, so you can feel good about the whole scenario.

We’ve made sure they’re full of flavor, and that there’s no sacrifice involved! The best turkey burger toppings are the ones that are both healthy and delicious.

1. Grilled Jalapenos

Let’s start with something spicy.

I love a good hot pepper, but roasting jalapenos will bring out their sweetness and cut the heat a fair amount.

You’ll end up with wonderful peppery flavor and a nice firm texture that’s one of the best healthy toppings for a turkey burger.

There’s only one caveat:

If you’re cooking inside, turn on your exhaust fan full-blast before you start. The oils from the jalapenos will release during cooking, and you don’t want to breathe in!

Even better, do this on your outdoor grill.

 

2. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberries are great year-round, not just during Thanksgiving.

Pick up an extra bag or two and pop them in the freezer to make any time.

Some people like the cranberry sauce in a can, and I suppose it has its naive charm, but wait till you see what I have in store for you.

This one simple change will blow your mind.

Replace the water when cooking cranberries with dry cooking sherry. The sherry revs up the tart cranberry flavor, and you won’t believe how much better it will be.

3. Giardiniera: Pickled Veggies

These healthy, crunchy, vinegary veggies will punch up your turkey burger in the very best way.

This is where you can just open a jar and dig in.

If you want to make your own, you can make it hot or mild, whatever suits you. You can include carrots, celery, cauliflower, red bell peppers, green pitted olives, and serrano peppers.

Take a look at the Daring Gourmet for dishes from all over the world.

4. Spiced up Guacamole

Guacamole is one of the real pleasures in life, and all those healthy fats from the avocado will make you feel virtuous while you’re chowing down on this delicious favorite.

I’d slather this on just about everything if I had the chance.

When you make your own, you can decide how much onion, chili, tomato, and cilantro you’re in the mood for.

You can make the guac smooth or chunky, so customize it to your liking!

Trot on over to www.simplyrecipes.com for recipes that work every time.

5. Texas Caviar with Black Beans

Have y’all ever tried Texas caviar?

If not, you’re in for a treat! No, this isn’t your typical caviar you serve at a glamorous event…

If you’re looking for healthy toppings for turkey burgers, this recipe can’t be beaten. I’d probably omit the black-eyed peas since they’re one of the few foods I don’t like, but it’s up to you.

This is full of exciting southwest flavors and delicious ingredients that would pair perfectly with your burger.

Yeehaw!

Check out Cafe Delites for healthy recipes that will make your tummy happy.

6. Garlic Chips

I’ve become so obsessed with these delicious garlic chips; lately, I may have to admit I have a problem.

They’re healthy due to garlic’s antioxidants, vitamins, and powerful disease-fighting properties.

They’re a flavorful and crunchy addition to your turkey burger.

Save the olive oil you fry them in for other dishes where you want that garlic flavor.

7. Grilled Tomato Slices

Simple, juicy, flavorful, and straightforward.

What else could you ask for?

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best.

If tomatoes are in season, get yourself a nice firm variety like Beefsteak and slide them about a centimeter or a half-inch thick.

These would be fantastic on the outdoor grill, but a grill pan on the stovetop works too.

Grill briefly, just enough to soften them a little and retain the juices, then dress them with olive oil and pink Himalayan salt, and you’re set.

8. Fried Egg

We love turkey burger toppings ideas that are delicious and unexpected.

How about a single egg over easy?

Imagine biting into it, and having that delightful egg yolk slowly burst and sink into your burger.

You’ll be reaching for the napkins before you know it.

9. Asian Veg with Hoisin Mayo

Crisp cucumbers and crunchy carrots accompany scallions and fresh mint in this beautiful Asian inspired recipe.

The hoisin mayo completes the picture.

10. Homemade Sauces: What to Put on a Turkey Burger to Add Creaminess and Flavor

Homemade Thousand Island dressing, creamy Ranch dressing, Blue cheese dressing, and Garlic mayo would all be awesome atop your turkey burger.

With these as a base, you can layer on the lettuce and whatever else suits your fancy.

Blue cheese?

Yes, please!

Garlic mayo, also known as Aioli, is easy to prepare and will make your turkey burger pop.

Here’s a video to show you how to make it.

11. Jalapeno Cheese and Melted American Cheese

Ok, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but here goes:

Jalapeno Velveeta, and melted American cheese.

The label says pasteurized cheese product, so who knows what that means, but either of these would be amazing melted on top of your turkey burger.

Never before has something so wrong, been so right.

12. Pesto and Cheese

A layer of pesto and some melted provolone, jack, or cheddar would be a fantastic turkey burger topping idea.

Pesto is so fresh and delicious, and adding some melty cheese makes it even better.

You can make pesto, but prepared pesto is quite good so that you can save yourself the trouble.

Just add some tomato and leafy greens of your choice, and you’ll be ready to take a big bite.

13. Cream Cheese and Bacon

Get out your bacon cooker and add some amazingness to your turkey burger.

Substitute properly seasoned ground turkey for ground beef in this super-indulgent recipe from A Savory Feast.

14. Turkey, Brie, Bacon, and Cranberry

This recipe is for a turkey sandwich, but swap your burger in, and it will taste amazing.

Use the cranberry sauce made with sherry, and it will knock your socks off.

There’s a lot more can experiment with!

15. Turkey, Bacon, Avocado, and Cheese

If your mouth isn’t watering yet, you don’t have a pulse.

This is the ultimate indulgence that I can’t wait to try. Not healthy toppings for your turkey burger, but it’ll be worth it.

Additional Pairing Ideas: Turkey Burger Add-ins

Here’s an idea: Mix in delicious add-ins to your ground turkey to make your burgers even better.

Stuffing Mix

Now’s the time to get your stuffing mix and add it to the ground turkey.

You can add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise as a binder and add moisture.

Herbed Butter

If you’ve never made herbed butter before, it’s easy and so delicious it will blow you away. Use whatever herbs you like, but I like thyme and tarragon best.

You’ll find this “fancied up” butter as a great steak topping or ever spread on top of focaccia. It’s a versatile add-on!

A terrific recipe will mostly use rosemary and sage.

Minced Garlic and Onions

Chop these finely and mix them in. Easy peasy.

I’d use red onions, but use whatever you have on hand.

Finely Chopped Jalapenos or Peppers of Your Choice

These will give your turkey burger an exciting kick of flavor! You can mix sweet bell peppers with some of their hotter cousins to get the heat just right.

Panko Coating

Panko bread crumbs stay crispier longer than regular bread crumbs, giving you a much better texture due to their bigger flakes.

They absorb less oil and make a delightful crunchy coating for your burger.

Here’s a helpful video on Panko Coating that’s worth a watch.

From healthy and virtuous vegetables and succulent sauces to cheesy indulgences, we’ve given you 15 amazing turkey burger toppings ideas.

We started you off with healthy toppings for your turkey burger, gave you some yummy homemade sauce options, then topped it off with bacon, avocado, and cheese.

You’re welcome!

We also gave you some ideas for turkey burger add-ins that make the burger itself a standout.

There’s no need to wait until the holidays to enjoy your turkey. Try these great ideas, and I guarantee your friends and family will gobble them up!