Our Avocado Turkey Burger is an ideal recipe for summer burger nights. These turkey burgers stay juicy and are loaded with flavor. Top them with creamy avocado and your favorite extras for a light, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.
The Best Turkey Avocado Burgers
We often fire up the grill to keep cleanup to a minimum, and burgers are a summer staple. While classic beef burgers are wonderful, switching to turkey delivers a lighter option that still tastes fantastic. These avocado turkey burgers are especially juicy and full of flavor — a great alternative when you want something different.
Looking for More Recipes Like This?
If you enjoy turkey burgers, try other variations like turkey smash burgers for a different texture and flavor.
What You Will Need
- Ground turkey – choose the least-lean option you can find to help keep the burgers moist.
- White onion – grate and squeeze the shredded onion in a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Frozen butter – our secret to extra juiciness. Keep a stick in the freezer and grate a few tablespoons into the mix.
- Garlic – minced for a savory boost.
- Mayonnaise – adds moisture and flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard & liquid smoke – a trio that deepens the flavor profile.
- Lemon zest – a small amount brightens the overall taste.
- Parmesan cheese – optional; omit or use a dairy-free alternative to keep the burgers dairy-free.
- Kosher salt & pepper – season the patties after forming.
- Sliced cheese – American, Swiss, or provolone work well if you want melted cheese.
- Buns – your choice: classic, whole wheat, gluten-free, or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
- Toppings – we like avocado, lettuce, quick pickled onions, and burger sauce, but use whatever you prefer.
How To Make Avocado Turkey Burgers
Start by grating the white onion and placing it on paper towels; squeeze gently to remove excess liquid.
Use the same grater to shred a couple of tablespoons of frozen butter.
Combine the grated onion and butter with the ground turkey, parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, lemon zest, and liquid smoke in a large bowl. Mix gently until everything is evenly incorporated.
Divide the mixture into four equal patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make a shallow thumb indent in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly. Sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper, then freeze the patties on the sheet for about 20 minutes to firm them up.
How Thick Should I Make my Turkey Burger?
Form patties about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This gives a sturdy patty that holds together on the grill while still cooking through in a reasonable time. Thicker patties will need a few extra minutes on the grill.
Preheat the grill to medium-high and clean the grates. Lightly oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs, and rub the grates so the patties won’t stick. Grill the burgers 5–6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Add cheese in the last 1–2 minutes if desired, then remove and let the patties rest for a few minutes before assembling.
While the burgers rest, prepare your toppings.
Assemble each sandwich with a lettuce leaf on the bottom bun, burger sauce if using, the turkey patty, sliced avocado, pickled onions, and the top bun. Serve immediately.
Meal Prep
These patties freeze and refrigerate well. Form them ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge overnight, or layer parchment between raw patties in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight before grilling.
What To Serve With Turkey Avocado Burgers
These burgers pair well with classic sides like homemade fries, grilled corn, potato wedges, or simple grilled broccoli. For a BBQ, creamy coleslaw or a fresh salad are great complements.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- Is avocado good on turkey burgers? Yes — avocado adds creaminess and flavor that pairs beautifully with a well-seasoned turkey patty.
- What makes a turkey burger juicy? Choose a less-lean ground turkey when possible and include the grated frozen butter. The small pieces of butter help keep the patties moist as they cook.
If you tried this recipe and liked it, please leave a rating or review and share any substitutions you made — feedback helps others and is much appreciated. Thank you!
Other Burger Recipes You Might Like
Caprese Burger
Mexican Street Corn Burger
Buffalo Chicken Burgers
Caramelized Onion Burger
Turkey Avocado Burger Recipe
Ingredients
Burgers:
- ¼ cup white onion
- 2–3 tablespoons frozen butter
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Toppings:
- Hamburger buns of choice (regular or gluten-free)
- Lettuce
- Easy burger sauce
- American cheese (regular or dairy-free)
- Avocado slices
- Quick pickled red onions
Instructions
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Grate: Place a box grater over paper towels. Grate ¼ cup white onion and use the paper towels to press out excess moisture. Set aside. Grate 2–3 tablespoons frozen butter on the same grater.
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Combine: In a large bowl, add the grated onion and butter to 1 pound ground turkey, 2 tablespoons parmesan, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon Dijon, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, and ½ teaspoon liquid smoke. Mix gently to combine.
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Form Patties: Divide the mixture into four equal patties about ½–¾ inch thick on a parchment-lined sheet. Press an indent in the center of each. Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up, then season with kosher salt and pepper.
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Prep Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Oil the grates by rubbing a paper towel lightly coated with oil over them using tongs.
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Grill: Place patties over direct heat and close the lid. Grill 5–6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Add cheese in the last 1–2 minutes if using. Remove and let rest 5 minutes.
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Assemble: On the bottom bun add lettuce, burger sauce, the turkey patty, avocado slices, pickled onions, and the top bun. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Ground Turkey – choose the least-lean option available for better juiciness.
- Frozen Butter – optional if you prefer a leaner burger, but it noticeably improves moisture and texture.
- Make ahead – form patties the day before and refrigerate in an airtight container.
- Freeze – layer raw patties with parchment between them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before grilling.
- Nutrition – nutrition info is an estimate and assumes a whole wheat bun, avocado, and a slice of cheese.