Thai Turkey Burger Recipe

Ground turkey: The base of the burger, providing a lean and flavorful protein.

Fish sauce: Adds a salty, umami depth typical of Thai cuisine.

Soy sauce: Enhances the savory taste with a touch of saltiness.

Garlic: Minced to infuse the patties with a robust, aromatic flavor.

Ginger: Grated to add a zesty, slightly spicy note.

Sriracha: Brings a mild heat and a hint of sweetness.

Cilantro: Chopped to add freshness and a citrusy note.

Green onions: Chopped to provide a mild onion flavor and a bit of crunch.

Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the patties together.

Breadcrumbs: Helps to give structure and texture to the patties.

When mixing the ground turkey with the other ingredients, be sure to handle the meat gently to avoid overworking it. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough burger. Instead, use a folding motion to incorporate the fish sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sriracha, chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, egg, and breadcrumbs. This will help maintain a tender and juicy texture in your Thai turkey burgers.

• ground turkey - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative.

• fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor, though it lacks the fishy undertone.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar salty and savory taste.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.

• ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in smaller quantities to provide a similar warmth and spice.

• sriracha - Substitute with chili garlic sauce: Chili garlic sauce offers a similar heat and flavor profile.

• cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor, though it lacks the citrusy notes of cilantro.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a mild onion flavor that can replace green onions in most recipes.

• egg - Substitute with flax egg: A flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoon water) can act as a binder in place of a regular egg.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar texture and can be used as a direct replacement.

• Allow the turkey patties to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the patties soggy.
• Place the cooled patties in an airtight container. If stacking, separate each patty with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing.
• To freeze, wrap each turkey patty individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain their shape and prevents freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped patties in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Freeze the patties for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the patties in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed.
• For best results, avoid microwaving as it can make the turkey patties rubbery.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Thai turkey burgers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased with olive oil.
  3. Cover the burgers with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. For added moisture, you can brush the burgers with a little soy sauce or chicken broth before reheating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the Thai turkey burgers in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
  5. To keep the burgers moist, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to the skillet and cover again for a minute.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the Thai turkey burgers on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not fully heated, continue in 30-second intervals until the desired temperature is reached.
  5. Let the burgers rest for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Thai turkey burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the burgers are heated through.
  4. For extra flavor, you can brush the burgers with a bit of sriracha or soy sauce before reheating.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Place the Thai turkey burgers on the grill.
  3. Grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
  4. To enhance the flavor, you can brush the burgers with a mixture of fish sauce and soy sauce before grilling.

• Grill: Used to cook the turkey patties to perfection, giving them a nice char and smoky flavor.

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining all the ingredients together to form the turkey patty mixture.

• Measuring spoons: Needed to accurately measure the fish sauce, soy sauce, and sriracha.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Grater: Used to grate the ginger, ensuring it is finely shredded and well-distributed in the mixture.

• Knife: Necessary for chopping the cilantro and green onions.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and clean surface for chopping the cilantro and green onions.

• Spatula: Useful for flipping the patties on the grill without breaking them apart.

• Meat thermometer: Helps to ensure the turkey patties are cooked to a safe internal temperature.

• Basting brush: Optional, but can be used to apply additional sauce or oil to the patties while grilling.

• Plate: For placing the formed patties before grilling and for serving the cooked patties.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the patties on the grill.

Pre-mix ingredients: Combine ground turkey, fish sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sriracha, chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, egg, and breadcrumbs the night before to save time.

Use a food processor: Quickly chop cilantro and green onions using a food processor.

Preheat the grill: Start preheating your grill while forming the patties to save time.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze extra patties for a quick meal later.

Use a burger press: Form patties faster and more uniformly with a burger press.