How do you keep turkey burgers from getting dry?

BethanyMasters
BethanyMasters Posts: 519 Member
edited September 28 in Recipes
I love turkey burgers. I make mine with a bit of garlic and onion powder with 99/1 extra lean turkey.

Ive tried putting different sauces and marinades in them but they still turn out dry. More so if I broil them instead of grilling.


Suggestions plz!!!!
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Replies

  • Shutterpillar
    Shutterpillar Posts: 208
    I always cook mine in the skillet and they turn out great. I found this recipe that works for me:

    http://www.calorieking.com/recipes/Chicken-Turkey-Fowl-and-Egg/Chicken-Turkey-Fowl-Dishes/All-American-Turkey-Burgers_Y2lkPTUmc2lkPTE5JnJpZD03MTY.html
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Deep fry them, the oil will keep them moist. JK

    Try using a 95/5 or 90/10. you need fat in the burger to keep it from drying out.
  • aslui888
    aslui888 Posts: 1
    Chop up some onions and mix them with the turkey meat before you form patties and put on a skillet. The water from the onions will keep the turkey moist.
  • Kim_SFB
    Kim_SFB Posts: 59 Member
    maybe add some chopped mushrooms in with the turkey? I think that will add flavor, meatiness, fiber ,& moisture.
  • Melis25Fit
    Melis25Fit Posts: 811 Member
    egg whites. Seriously. It also helps them stick together better.
  • sharidiane
    sharidiane Posts: 212 Member
    We use 93/7 turkey, and we mix a packet of dry ranch dressing in with the turkey. omgyumyumyummyyum. personally, I think the 99/1 is too dry for a burger. That would be better suited for a recipe that needs pan fried crumbles.
  • Planetsusie
    Planetsusie Posts: 3
    Add 1-2 T ricotta cheese per 4-5 oz ground turkey.... while it doesn't do TOO much in the way of adding flavor, ricotta is low fat, good calcium, and keeps turkey burgers nice and moist for grilling or broiling!
  • peggy1985
    peggy1985 Posts: 1
    Try mixing it with a little ground chicken and light sour cream, saute in olive oil.
  • nosey_rosey
    nosey_rosey Posts: 380 Member
    I have the butterball natural and they are awesome... I used the jenny-o ones and they got very dry. I use a skillet on very low heat with a lid on it to keep the heat in. Love em!
  • BethanyMasters
    BethanyMasters Posts: 519 Member
    Ill try the mushrooms next time. My boyfriend wont eat onions. Maybe ill just put onions in my oatties.
  • gentlebreeze2
    gentlebreeze2 Posts: 450 Member
    low heat in a frying pan with the lid on.
  • AKAngi
    AKAngi Posts: 11 Member
    My husband actually made turkey burgers last night and they weren't dry at all...he mixed a little bit of yellow mustard, a little bit of soy sauce, and a little bit of hot sauce (sounds weird, but they were great!) in with the turkey, and then cooked them in a nonstick skillet with a little bit of canola oil spray. They were very moist and tasted really good on a whole wheat bun with a bit of light mayo and lettuce/tomato!
  • shybelle
    shybelle Posts: 254 Member
    If you have extra calories I put some light italian dressing in the meat before I cook it...makes them yummy! just makes sure you ahve the calories/sodium for the dressing!
  • akellyking77
    akellyking77 Posts: 17 Member
    I grate onion into the meat while I'm mixing it with spices. The juice from the onion keeps the meat moist and doesn't give you big chunks of onion if you were to chop/dice it.
  • TheDeviation
    TheDeviation Posts: 149
    Lean burgers will be dry when you cook them. The only way I've been able to kind of help this is using some olive oil.

    This is the same reason you typically use a ground meat with higher fat content (80/20 or thereabout) when making burgers. Keeps them nice & moist. Not great for you though.
  • sandyfeet10
    sandyfeet10 Posts: 280 Member
    I put low fat cheese inside of my turkey burgers and apple slice on top of the burger! The cheese and apple make it nice and juicy! If you're not crazy about the cheese, just do the apple slice.
  • supergirl28723
    supergirl28723 Posts: 1
    Fat Free Greek yogurt...that adds moisture without adding fat.
  • 5weeks
    5weeks Posts: 38
    Do you have a Foreman type grill? That is the only way I can cook them without them getting dried out.
  • HealthierIn2011
    HealthierIn2011 Posts: 69
    maybe add some chopped mushrooms in with the turkey? I think that will add flavor, meatiness, fiber ,& moisture.

    I use portobello mushrooms, my husband who doesn't eat anything healthy LOVES them!
  • SoupNazi
    SoupNazi Posts: 4,229 Member
    Unfortunately, that is what happens when you use an extremely lean meat. There just isn't enough fat to keep it moist. I use 97/3 ground turkey when adding it to recipes but for burgers, 85/15 is the way to go for juiciness. I just make the patties somewhat smaller. If substituting isn't an option, just remember to never overcook them which is easy to do because unlike beef, they need to be cooked thoroughly.
  • h2onut
    h2onut Posts: 164
    I make a greek turkey burger - extra lean turkey breast, finely chopped spinach, montreal steak spice, light fetta cheese, make patty's and cook in a skillet. You can add an egg if it's not forming well - I've never had to and... have never had a problem with them being dry! Oh ya and serve on a low fat bun with tzatziki, red onion, and tomato:D
  • sunflwrgirl58
    sunflwrgirl58 Posts: 2 Member
    I am not a turkey burger fan, but I found a really good recipe that uses seasoned breadcrumbs, feta cheese, egg substitute and craisins. I think the craisins give the burgers the moisture they need. I make mine in a skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Put a lid on the skillet while cooking and it also helps hold in the moisture.
  • Christiane81
    Christiane81 Posts: 61
    I buy the extra lean ground turkey and I shred zucchini into egg whites and worchestershire sauce and mix it all together....they taste and amazing and they are far from dry...top with avocado, cheese, and tomato.
  • FitRodr
    FitRodr Posts: 353 Member
    Put in a tsp of light olive oil or lightly brush it on the outside. It will keep the turkey moist. Another thought for the grill... cook in foil and then toss them on the actual flames at the end to get the grilled taste. I also grate onions, you can't see them and the taste is not overwhelming. Vidalia onions are best for grilling.

    Enjoy
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    I use worcestershire sauce and 93/7 lean turkey. Yum!
  • FullOfSpice
    FullOfSpice Posts: 176 Member
    Shredded zuchinni works like a charm. I use 93/7 Turkey too.
  • RoadsterMomma
    RoadsterMomma Posts: 161 Member
    When I cook mine, I put them in a skillet and then "poach" them by adding small amounts of water. The water doesnt dry them out and there are no added calories or ingredients. :wink:
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    If you add things like cheese you are adding back fat and that is defeating the purpose. If you saute some veggies (Peppers, onions, mushrooms even spinach) 1 egg ( Per 1- 2 lbs meat) and Moistened Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup per pound and 1/2 cup water). Add them before you cook the burgers, it will keep them moist.
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
    I love adding "hiding" ingredients in turkey burgers to make them more exciting. My latest favorite is chopped spinach, a little feta cheese and a small amount of greek dressing - top with roasted peppers. I've also added a tiny amount of stuffing inside the turkey meat and then topped with cranberry sauce - tastes just like thanksgiving! This one can be carb/sodium heavy, but overall is pretty healthy if eaten in moderation.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    If you add things like cheese you are adding back fat and that is defeating the purpose. If you saute some veggies (Peppers, onions, mushrooms even spinach) 1 egg ( Per 1- 2 lbs meat) and Moistened Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup per pound and 1/2 cup water). Add them before you cook the burgers, it will keep them moist.
    If your boyfriend doesn't like onions, Cook any veggies you like, grind them in a food processor and I would bet he will never know they are in them. I do it to my husband, kids and grandkids all the time. They always love everything and I never tell them.
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