Asian Turkey Burgers – Slender Kitchen

These Asian Turkey Burgers are wholesome, easy to make, and loaded with mouthwatering flavors. Paired with a zesty chili lime yogurt sauce, this recipe is guaranteed to make for a show-stopping meal. 

Made with garlic, ginger, cilantro, carrots, scallions, and jalapenos, these Asian Turkey Burgers have quickly become one of my favorite types of burgers. The chili lime yogurt sauce that we make to go along with it comes together in just a few minutes and is absolutely delicious. I love finding creative new ways to make burgers that utilize my favorite aspects of cuisines from around the world and this Asian-inspired burger recipe is the perfect example of that. 

I have always been a bit of a burger snob. I blame it on my former roommate who was obsessed with finding the best burger in town. We used to try new ones almost every week and, living in LA, there was no shortage of incredible burgers to sample. I guess you could say I’m spoiled. That being said, restaurant burgers aren’t typically the healthiest or most diet-friendly, so nowadays I try to reserve them for special occasions.

Now, don’t get me wrong. While I may reserve restaurant burgers for special occasions, this doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy eating burgers at home. If anything, my love for trying new burgers has only fueled my desire to try healthy burger recipes at home. For me, creating healthier versions often means experimenting with turkey burgers. I used to worry about turkey burgers being dry and tasteless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When done right, turkey burgers can be tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.

These Asian Turkey Burgers are juicy and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. I like to wrap mine in lettuce with a nice, big dollop of chili lime yogurt sauce for a healthy and delicious meal. Serve them up at your next barbecue or make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week. I guarantee you’re going to love this healthy burger recipe! 

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients you will need for this healthy burger recipe include: 

• Ground turkey: I like to use 93% lean ground turkey in this dish. If you aren’t a big fan of turkey, you can use ground chicken instead.
• Soy sauce: This adds salty umami flavors to the burgers. For a gluten-free alternative, you can swap it out for tamari.
• Aromatics: For this recipe, we will be using ginger and garlic. You should opt for the fresh versions of both if possible, but if needed you can use the powder forms. 
• Cilantro: Fresh minced cilantro adds a ton of fresh, vibrant flavor to the burgers.
• Veggies: We use a combination of grated carrots and minced scallions to add texture and extra flavor. 
• Jalapeno: I remove the seeds first so the burgers aren’t too spicy, but you can leave the seeds in if you prefer a more spicy dish. 

Serving and Substitution Tips

Here are some of my favorite serving styles and substitution tips for this dish:

• If you want to use different vegetables, try minced white onions, zucchini, or broccoli.
• If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, you can swap it out for Thai basil or simply leave it out altogether. 
• If you want to try a different protein source, ground beef and chicken work great with this recipe as well. 
• To lighten up this dish, you can serve the burgers wrapped in butter lettuce instead of hamburger buns. 
• For a gluten-free version, swap out the soy sauce for tamari and make sure to use gluten-free hamburger buns. 
• If you don’t have the ingredients to make the chili lime yogurt sauce, try mixing together sriracha and mayonnaise for a quick and easy dipping sauce.
• To make this dish dairy-free, you can use your favorite dairy-free yogurt alternative. You could also make it paleo by switching the yogurt out for paleo mayo.
• If you wind up with leftovers, try slicing up the burgers and adding them to a salad or cutting them into smaller pieces and adding them to your eggs for a hearty breakfast. 

How to Store This Dish

Once the turkey burgers have cooled, you can store them in the fridge by transferring them to an airtight bag or container. They will keep like this for up to 4 days. If you want to freeze them, I recommend first laying them out on a baking sheet and then placing them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. After you’ve done this, you can transfer them over to an airtight bag and freeze them for up to 2 months. 

If you have leftovers of the yogurt sauce that you want to save, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight bag or container for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing the sauce, as dairy products tend to curdle when frozen and won’t thaw well. 

What to Serve with Asian Turkey Burgers?

There are so many side dish options for these tasty burgers from traditional options like fries to unique salads and slaws. Here are some favorites:

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about this dish:

How should I cook the burgers?

My personal preference is to cook these burgers on the grill, as I’ve found that this cooking method yields the best flavors. However, you can also cook them on a skillet over the stove or in the oven. 

Can I use different veggies?

Absolutely. Most veggies will work in this recipe, as long as you mince or grate them so you don’t wind up with massive chunks in your burgers. If you want to switch out the carrots and scallions, I would recommend trying white onions, zucchini, or broccoli. 

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers of the burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can store leftovers of the yogurt sauce separately in the fridge for up to 5 days, but I don’t recommend freezing it. 

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