Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burgers Recipe
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.
- 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
