Turkey Burgers with Cranberry (Printable Version)

Juicy turkey patties paired with tangy cranberry glaze deliver a fresh and flavorful twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Burgers

01 - 1.1 lbs ground turkey
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)

→ Cranberry Sauce

11 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
12 - 1/4 cup orange juice
13 - 2 tablespoons sugar
14 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
15 - Pinch of salt

→ Assembly

16 - 4 burger buns
17 - Lettuce leaves
18 - Sliced tomatoes
19 - Sliced red onion

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine cranberries, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, and salt in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
02 - In a large bowl, gently mix ground turkey, chopped onion, garlic, parsley, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs until just combined. Shape into 4 equal-sized patties.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
04 - Lightly toast the burger buns, if desired.
05 - Place lettuce on bottom half of each bun, top with turkey patty, spoon cranberry sauce over patties, then add sliced tomatoes and red onion. Cover with top bun half.
06 - Serve immediately, offering extra cranberry sauce on the side if preferred.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • The cranberry sauce adds a festive brightness that makes even weeknight meals feel special without any extra fuss.
  • Turkey keeps things lean but the seasonings and toppings ensure every bite stays juicy and full of flavor.
  • Everything comes together in about 40 minutes, so you can have a homemade burger on the table faster than delivery.
02 -
  • Do not overwork the turkey mixture or your patties will turn out tough and dry, mix just until combined and handle gently.
  • Let the cranberry sauce cool completely before serving so it thickens properly and does not make your bun soggy.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, turkey must hit 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safety and the best texture.
03 -
  • Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb before cooking to prevent them from puffing up into a dome shape.
  • Double the cranberry sauce recipe and keep extra in the fridge, it is perfect on sandwiches, with roasted chicken, or even stirred into yogurt.
  • If your skillet starts to smoke, lower the heat immediately, turkey cooks fast and high heat will dry it out before the inside is done.

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