Introduction

These Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers are a flavorful twist on a classic favorite. Packed with spicy jalapeño, sharp cheddar, and fresh herbs, they’re juicy and perfect for grilling season. Enjoy a delicious homemade burger that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Two grilled chicken burgers are placed on a white marbled surface. Each burger shows a bottom white bun topped with fresh green lettuce leaves, thick round slices of red onion, a creamy white sauce with green herbs, and a grilled chicken patty with visible char marks. The top white bun with grill lines and a slice of pickled yellow pepper is off to the side. Additional sliced red onions, dollops of herb sauce, pickled yellow pepper rings, and a slice of green chili pepper are scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 lbs ground turkey
½ cup finely diced onion (white, red, or yellow)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (leave seeds for extra heat)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
Juice of ½ lime (about ½ tbsp)
½ to 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
6 hamburger buns
Guacamole
Sliced cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Tomato slices
Lettuce

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking if needed.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, diced onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, paprika, lime juice, shredded cheddar, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Step 3: Divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape each into a burger patty, adjusting size to fit your buns.
Step 4: Grill the patties for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Remove the burgers from the grill and let them rest covered loosely with foil for 3-5 minutes.
Step 6: Assemble the burgers on toasted buns, topping with guacamole, cheese slices, tomato, and lettuce. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, keep the seeds and membranes in the jalapeño; remove them for a milder taste.
Make homemade guacamole by mashing 2 avocados with lime juice, salt, pepper, and garlic for a fresh topping.
If you don’t have a grill, cook the burgers in a skillet over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side or bake at 375°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Storage

Store cooked turkey burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the cooked patties for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Two grilled chicken burgers are shown on a white marbled surface. Each burger has four layers: a white toasted bun at the bottom, bright green leafy lettuce above it, rings of fresh purple onion next, a white creamy sauce with green herbs, and a grilled chicken patty on top with dark grill marks. One white toasted bun top with dark grill lines and a yellow pepper ring rests nearby. Around the burgers are more slices of red onion, a dollop of the white herb sauce, curled yellow pepper rings, a slice of jalapeño, and some green herbs. A striped gray and white cloth lies at the lower left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

How do I stop my turkey burgers from falling apart?

Don’t overmix the meat and use 93% lean ground turkey for the right balance of fat. If the mixture feels too wet, add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs or chill the patties for 20 minutes before grilling to help them hold together.

How do I make sure my turkey burgers stay juicy?

Shredded cheese inside the mixture melts and keeps the burgers moist. Adding lime juice and a little oil also helps lock in juiciness during cooking.

Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 127 reviews

These Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers are a flavorful twist on classic turkey burgers, featuring ground turkey mixed with fresh jalapeños, sharp cheddar cheese, and aromatic spices. Grilled to juicy perfection and topped with fresh guacamole, cheese slices, tomatoes, and lettuce, they make a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any grilling occasion.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

For the Burgers:

2 lbs ground turkey
½ cup finely diced onion (white, red, or yellow)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (leave seeds for extra heat)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
Juice of ½ lime (about ½ tbsp)
½ to 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

6 hamburger buns
Guacamole (homemade or store-bought)
Sliced cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Tomato slices
Lettuce leaves

Instructions

Preheat the Grill: Heat a charcoal, gas, or pellet grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates if needed to prevent the burgers from sticking during cooking.
Prepare the Burger Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, finely diced onion, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, finely chopped jalapeño, ground cumin, paprika, lime juice, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, being careful not to overmix which can lead to tough burgers.
Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into six equal portions. Shape each portion into a burger patty that fits your buns or desired size. Make sure the patties are uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking.
Grill the Burgers: Place the patties on the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read meat thermometer for safety and perfect doneness.
Rest the Burgers: Remove the cooked patties from the grill and place them on a plate. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy burger.
Assemble and Serve: Toast the hamburger buns on the grill if desired. Place a rested burger patty on each bun, then top with guacamole, extra cheese slices, tomato slices, and lettuce. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful jalapeño cheddar turkey burgers!

Notes

If you prefer a spicier burger, keep the seeds and membranes in the jalapeño; remove them for milder heat.
Homemade guacamole can be made by mashing 2 ripe avocados with juice of ½ lime, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a dash of garlic powder or minced fresh garlic; adjust seasoning to taste.
If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the burgers in a stovetop skillet over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side or bake them in a 375°F oven for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
To prevent turkey burgers from falling apart, avoid overmixing and consider chilling patties for 20 minutes before grilling. Adding a tablespoon of breadcrumbs can also help bind the mixture.
Ensure turkey burgers are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
These burgers can be made ahead by shaping patties and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to cook.

Keywords: turkey burger, jalapeño cheddar burger, grilled turkey burgers, spicy turkey burger, healthy burgers, guacamole burgers