Tillie Doyle
Turkey burgers are a great healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers, but they can often be dry and tasteless. However, cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to ensure they stay juicy and full of flavour. Air fryers use circulating air to create a crispy crust while leaving the inside moist and tender. You can cook your turkey burgers from fresh or frozen, and they can be paired with a variety of toppings and sides.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Turkey Burgers in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground turkey, apple sauce, grated onion, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese |
| Temperature | 360 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Time | 12-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 165 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Toppings | Lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, mustard, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup, pickles, bun |
| Sides | French fries, sweet potato wedges, butternut squash, sweet potato fries |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ingredients
Meat:
Ground turkey is the star ingredient in these burgers. You can easily find it at your local grocery store, typically near the ground beef. Opt for lean ground turkey, which has lower saturated fat content, making your burgers healthier without compromising flavour. If you prefer fattier cuts, you can certainly use them, but be aware that they may release some excess moisture during cooking.
Moisture and Flavour Enhancers:
To ensure your turkey burgers are juicy, you can add certain ingredients that enhance moisture and flavour. Unsweetened apple sauce is a secret weapon to keeping the burgers moist without the need for added oil or butter. Grated fresh onion not only adds moisture but also provides a flavour boost. If you're using onion, be sure to grate or mince it to avoid large chunks in your burgers.
Seasonings:
Seasonings are key to elevating the taste of your turkey burgers. You can go with classic salt and pepper or get creative with other options. Suggested seasonings include smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and ranch seasoning. You can also experiment with taco seasoning for a fun twist. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for a savoury kick, but note that Worcestershire sauce contains gluten.
Binders and Extras:
To help bind your burger mixture, consider adding an egg to the mix. Breadcrumbs are another great addition, providing texture and helping to absorb moisture. If you're using breadcrumbs, you can opt for traditional Italian breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier texture.
Toppings:
The beauty of turkey burgers is that you can top them with your favourite ingredients. Classic choices include lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try Mediterranean-inspired toppings like sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and pesto. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as mustard, ketchup, or even a homemade Big Mac sauce. Don't be afraid to get creative and customise your burgers to your heart's desire!
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Preparing the meat mixture
To prepare the meat mixture for your turkey burgers, start by gathering your ingredients. You will need ground turkey, which you can find next to ground beef at your local grocery store. You can also add ingredients like breadcrumbs, an egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings such as salt and pepper, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. If you want to keep your burgers moist, you can add grated onion and unsweetened apple sauce to the mixture.
Once you have your ingredients, combine them in a medium to large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to mix the contents until they are well combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing the meat can result in rubbery or dry burgers. You can also add a little olive oil to the mixture to prevent the burgers from drying out, but this is optional.
After mixing, it's time to shape the meat mixture into patties. Use your hands or a burger press to form the mixture into evenly sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. If the ground turkey is sticky and difficult to shape, use parchment paper to help form the patties. You can also use a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper to form the turkey into a burger shape. Place the shaped patties on a plate or cookie sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help them firm up and stay together during cooking.
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Shaping the patties
Shaping the perfect turkey patty is an art. The first step is to mix your ingredients. In a medium to large mixing bowl, add your ground turkey, and any other ingredients you are using, such as breadcrumbs, egg, apple sauce, grated onion, ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix with a fork or your hands until everything is combined, but be careful not to overmix as this can affect the texture of your burgers.
Once your mixture is ready, it's time to shape it into patties. Aim for four equally-sized, round, flat patties, about 1/2-inch thick. You can use a burger press to ensure uniformity, or simply use your hands to form the mixture into the desired shape. If your ground turkey is sticky and difficult to work with, use parchment paper to help form the patties.
After shaping your patties, place them on a plate or cookie sheet. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to firm up. This step is important as it helps the patties hold their shape during cooking. You can also freeze your patties at this stage if you want to prepare them in advance.
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Cooking the burgers
Next, form the mixture into equally-sized patties. You can use a burger press to ensure they are perfectly shaped. Place the patties in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to firm them up. This step is important as it helps the patties stay together when you air fry them.
Now, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or grease it, then place the burgers inside, ensuring they don't overlap or touch. Set the timer for 12-15 minutes and flip the burgers halfway through. The burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which you can check with a meat thermometer.
Once the burgers are cooked, you can melt cheese on them by placing the air fryer off but closed for a minute or two. Serve your burgers with your choice of toppings and buns. Enjoy!
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve your turkey burgers cooked in an air fryer. You can serve them on a bun or a lettuce wrap with your choice of toppings and sides. You can also melt cheese on the burgers by placing a slice on top of each patty and closing the air fryer for a few minutes without turning it on.
Some common toppings include:
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Pickles
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Jalapenos
- Avocado
- Arugula
- Sauteed onions
- Pickled onions
Some common sauces and condiments include:
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Pico de gallo
- Chipotle aioli
- BBQ sauce
- Tomato relish
You can also serve your turkey burgers with a side of air fryer potato wedges, roasted broccoli, sauteed asparagus, and tomato bacon green bean salad.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your burgers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap or touch. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The burgers are finished when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Turkey burgers can be dry, so it's important to add moisture to the mixture. You can do this by adding ingredients such as unsweetened apple sauce, grated onion, olive oil, or sweet potato.
Turkey burgers are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this with a meat thermometer.
Yes, you can cook frozen turkey burgers in an air fryer. You don't need to thaw them first. Cook at 200C/400F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
