Feta Basil Turkey Burgers

These Feta Basil Turkey Burgers make a wonderful weeknight dinner and are a perfect use of ground turkey! Packed with feta cheese and fresh basil for flavor plus applesauce for moisture, these burgers are deliciously juicy! 

Originally published June 16th, 2016!

Hello, it’s Danielle! It’s June 2021 and it’s been FIVE years since I published this post, one of the very first on Project Meal Plan ever. WOW.

Today, I’ve updated the recipe and content of this post to be more helpful and easier to follow, as well as answer some common questions you might have about this recipe. I’ve also updated the photos! Enjoy!

What are the ingredients in these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers?

I’m loving the fresh ingredients in these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers! They’re simple, while also probably a different combination of flavors than I normally cook with.

Here are the ingredients in these burgers:

• ground turkey meat – For this recipe, you’ll need a pound of ground turkey meat. Avoid 99% lean or fat free turkey, or it will be dry. Fat = flavor!
• feta cheese – Use the stuff at the bottom of the container or make sure to break up the big pieces!
• fresh basil – Take 8-10 leaves and chop them up as pictured below. You can also save some of the fresh basil for topping your burger.
• egg – This ingredient acts as a binder and keeps the turkey burgers together.
• unsweetened applesauce – My secret weapon to fight dry turkey! Adding just a touch of applesauce helps bring so much more moisture to the burgers!
• plain bread crumbs – Along with the egg, acts as a binder to keep everything together and soak up some of the liquid.
• worcestershire sauce – Don’t skip! This ingredient brings the umph!
• garlic powder, black pepper & salt – All necessary for adding background flavor to your turkey burgers.
• avocado oil – I prefer to use avocado oil for stove top cooking because it has a higher smoke point and is less likely to burn.

How do you make these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers?

Making these burgers is a pretty simple undertaking. One bowl, no chill time, simple ingredients! I would prep my toppings before getting started with the burgers, and toast my buns while the burgers are cooking.

To start, you’ll add all the ingredients (except the cooking oil), to a large mixing bowl. It is important not to overmix the meat mixture, or it will be mushy and have a weird texture after cooking. 

Use your hands, or even better, use your hands with gloves on, to mix the meat and ingredients. Mix it up until everything is just barely mixed together. 

Next, find a clean surface. It can be a plate or a lined baking sheet. Use your hands to form the meat mixture into six burgers total. To help guide my burger sizing, I’ll use my fingers to draw six equal pieces into the top of the meat mixture bowl. 

Once all six burgers are formed, grab your cast iron skillet. Heat the skillet over medium heat and add about 1/2 tablespoon of avocado oil. When the oil is hot, add three burgers to the pan, evenly spaced. I like to do this in two batches of three burgers each.

Cook the burgers for 4-5 minutes on each side. The burgers are done with an instant read thermometer stuck in the center of the burgers reads at least 165F. 

Let the burgers rest for a couple minutes while you assemble your bun and toppings! 

Why use applesauce? Will these burgers taste like applesauce?

No, the burgers will not taste like apples or applesauce. Any applesauce flavor will be well covered by seasonings, feta and basil. 

The purpose of the applesauce is to provide additional moisture to the ground turkey burgers, which tends to be on the dry side compared to other ground meats.

Feta Basil Turkey Burger Testing Notes:

Here are some things I noticed while testing these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers:

• Thinner burgers are better (and cook quicker) than thicker burgers – use your hands to form and flatten while considering thickness.
• The applesauce is not required, but it does help add moisture and juicyness to the burgers!
• Smaller pieces of the feta cheese are easier and stay inside the burger better.

Are these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers meal prep friendly?

Yes! These burgers are meal prep friendly and reheat well. Store cooked burgers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store uncooked burger meat mixture in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

While I have not personally tested this, I do think this recipe is freezer friendly. Store uncooked meat mixture in a sealed container for up to 3 months.

What should you serve with these burgers?

Here are some ideas for what to serve with these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers:

• Air Fryer Jojo Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Tater Tots
• Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
• Lemon Poppyseed Couscous Salad

Alternative customization ideas for these burgers:

Here are some ways to change up these Feta Basil Turkey Burgers and make them your own:

• change up the cheese
• change the herb to cilantro
• skip herbs entirely 
• add hot sauce to the mix
• use different seasonings

How to store, freeze & reheat:

Store in the fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 4 days.

Store in the freezer: Store uncooked meat mixture in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Heat in the microwave on High for 1 minute. Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes.