Turkey Burgers Cranberry Sauce (Printable Version)
Tender turkey patties enhanced by a tangy cranberry sauce for a delightful twist.
# What You'll Need:
→ Turkey Burgers
01 - 1.1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 egg
06 - ½ cup breadcrumbs
07 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
→ Cranberry Sauce
11 - 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
12 - ¼ cup orange juice
13 - ¼ cup sugar
14 - 1 tsp orange zest
15 - Pinch of salt
→ For Serving
16 - 4 burger buns
17 - Lettuce leaves
18 - Sliced red onion
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine cranberries, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Set aside to cool.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough patties.
03 - Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a burger patty.
04 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked internally to 165°F.
05 - Lightly toast burger buns if desired.
06 - Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a cooked turkey patty, spoon cranberry sauce over it, add slices of red onion, and finish with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately to enjoy the flavors at their best.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- Ground turkey stays surprisingly juicy when you don't overwork the mixture, making these feel indulgent without the heaviness of beef.
- The cranberry sauce brings a sweet-tart punch that elevates these from weeknight to celebrate-worthy, and it takes just ten minutes.
- It's naturally dairy-free and ready in under an hour, so you can feed four people something special without stress.
02 -
- The moment the cranberry sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon is when to take it off the heat—let it cool completely so it sets up properly and doesn't slide off the burger.
- Ground turkey can stick to your hands when shaping; wet your hands slightly before forming each patty, and the mixture releases easily without sticking.
- Don't press down on the burgers with your spatula while they cook—this squeezes out all the juices and dries them out; just let them sit undisturbed.
03 -
- Keep your hands damp while shaping patties and your skillet properly heated to medium before adding the oil—both of these small details make the difference between dry and juicy.
- The red onion adds a sharp bite that cuts through the richness perfectly, so don't skip it even if you think you don't like raw onion.