These Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach have quickly become my favorite option for burger night! What works so well (and makes them juicy and flavorful) is the addition of melty feta cheese. And they don't fall apart like other turkey burgers thanks to the simple addition of an egg. 😊 You can even make a batch for this week and an extra batch to freeze for later. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
As a dietitian, one of my favorite kinds of recipes to share are great options for a weeknight dinner that can be on the table in 30 minutes or less! And these Mediterranean inspired spinach feta turkey burgers are seriously perfect next time you're craving burgers and want something a bit lighter than beef.
I typically serve them with roasted baby potatoes, roasted diced sweet potatoes, or sweet potato fries, fresh watermelon, or even in a burger bowl with a Greek inspired tomato cucumber salad and yogurt dill sauce. I don't have an outdoor grill so I cook mine in a skillet on the stovetop but you can grill them or even cook them in the oven.
If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Big Mac Burger Bowls, Greek Chicken Meatballs, or Greek Chicken Meatball Bowls!
More Ground Turkey Recipes
- Turkey Feta Meatballs
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
- Zucchini Turkey Skillet with White Beans
- Turkey Taco Skillet Dinner
- Lean and Green Egg Roll in a Bowl with Turkey
Jump to:
- Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
- How to Make Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
- Alternative Cooking Methods for Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
- Dietitian Tip
- Variations for Turkey Burger Feta Spinach
- Equipment
- Storage For Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Perfect for Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
These turkey burgers feta spinach are made with minimal ingredients. Below are some notes. Check the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient measurements.
- Ground Turkey - lean ground turkey breast is a relatively inexpensive and high-quality protein that's more lean than ground beef for burgers. It works great with a Mediterranean flavor profile like in these. I use 93% lean turkey for this recipe. I don't recommend using 99% because it can result in dry turkey burgers. If you don't like turkey, you can use any ground meat! Ground chicken, ground beef, or ground pork all work.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese - feta is a salty cheese that adds the best flavor. It also adds extra moisture that helps make juicy turkey burgers which is important since turkey is a lean meat by itself. It also adds some extra protein and calcium.
- Fresh Spinach - chopped spinach is an easy way to sneak in some greens. Be sure to finely chop the baby spinach so it combines evenly in the burgers.
- Parsley - fresh parsley adds more flavor and some antioxidants. Other fresh herbs that work well are dill, cilantro, or fresh mint. All work really well with the turkey and feta flavors.
- Red Onion - to add flavor and moisture. Yellow onion works here too. The key is to finely chop the onion so it doesn't leave large chunks and stop the burgers from staying intact.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - just a drizzle of olive oil adds moisture and helps make the burgers tender. Olive oil also adds heart-healthy fats that support brain health and hormone health.
- Egg - egg is a binding agent to help the the turkey burgers stay together.
- Garlic Powder and Red Pepper Flakes - I like to use garlic powder and red pepper flakes as seasonings in this recipe. I prefer garlic powder over cloves because a little goes a long way, but you can use a minced or grated garlic clove if you prefer. Red pepper flakes are optional to add a tiny hint of spice.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
- Toppings & Bun - serve with your favorite hamburger buns and favorite burger toppings. I like to serve mine on a whole wheat bun with tzatziki or hummus, tomato slices, cucumber slices, and sliced red onion. Some other delicious toppings are pickled onions, whipped feta, or sun-dried tomatoes.
How to Make Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
Below are the directions for how to make this turkey burger recipe with photos that I hope are helpful. Check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Finely chop the red onion, spinach, and fresh parsley and crumble the feta cheese. Combine ingredients in a large bowl until just combined. Don't over mix because this will result in a tough burger. The burger mixture will be pretty wet and this is normal.
- Step 2: Divide the mixture into 4 patties about 1 inch thick. Pro tip: make a small indentation in the center of each burger patty with your thumb. This helps them to stay even when cooking. Place the patties on a parchment lined baking sheet or plate and chill for at least 20 minutes, up to 24 hours.
- Step 3: Heat a nonstick pan or cast iron skillet on medium heat. Add a little bit of extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil and once it's heated, add the patties to the pan. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, undisturbed, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (75°C) measured with a meat thermometer. Let them rest about 5 minutes before serving.
- Step 4: Assemble the turkey burgers with your favorite toppings! I like to spread tzatziki sauce, hummus, or mayo on the bottom bun, top with the burger patty, and add sliced tomato, cucumber, and red onion and top bun.
Hint: don't push down on the burgers or move them around while they are cooking. Pushing on them will release some of the juice and you want all that to stay in the patty itself!
Alternative Cooking Methods for Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
I showed you in the direcitons how to cook turkey burgers in a skillet on the stovetop but one of the best parts about making burgers at home is you can cook them however you want depending on what you have in your kitchen. Below are the directions for how to cook these turkey burgers feta spinach on the grill, in an oven, or in an air fryer.
- For grill: preheat the grill on medium to medium high heat for 10-15 minutes (you want it to be 375–400°F). Grill the turkey burgers for 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- For oven: preheat the over to 400°F. Place the patties on a parchment lined baking sheet or a wire rack if you have one. Cook for 20-25 minutes total, flipping halfway through or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- For Air Fryer: Cook for 12-15 minutes at 375℉ (190°C) in the air fryer, flipping halfway through.
Dietitian Tip
Turkey meat is a high-quality lean protein that contains all 9 essential amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. It also contains important nutrients like B vitamins that support brain health, zinc, iron, and phosphorus. Use that pound of ground turkey to make these turkey spinach feta burgers for an easy recipe the whole family will love that's ready in 30 minutes! It's a great alternative to a traditional beef burger when you want something on the lighter side.
Variations for Turkey Burger Feta Spinach
One of the great things about these juicy turkey burgers is you can customize the recipe in many different ways. Below are some ideas.
- Spicy - double or triple the red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for some spice.
- Tuscan - add sun-dried tomatoes and replace the parsley with fresh basil or fresh oregano and add some Italian seasoning for an Italian flare.
- Red Pepper Turkey Burger - saute red bell peppers and add them to the turkey mixture.
- Sweet Potato Turkey Burger - skip the bun and serve the burgers between two sweet potato slices instead.
Equipment
You'll need a large nonstick pan or cast iron pan. I use my 4.5 quart Caraway skillet which is a non-toxic PFOA and PTFE-free saute pan.
Storage For Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach
- Refrigerator - let the burgers cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop in a large skillet, in an air fryer, in the oven at 350℉ (177°C), or in the microwave.
- Freezer - if you want to meal prep these burgers more than 3-4 days ahead of time, you can freeze them.
- To freeze them before cooking, form the patties and then place them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for 1-2 hours and then transfer the patties to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container. To prevent them from sticking together, place a piece of parchment paper between each patty. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then cook them in a skillet according to the recipe directions.
- To freeze them after cooking, store them in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap or place a piece of parchment paper between them to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the skillet, microwave, air fryer, or oven.
Expert Tips
- Don't press down on the patties when you're cooking them. This will release moisture and you want all that goodness to stay inside the patty for the juiciest burgers.
- Finely chop the fresh parsley, spinach, and onion for the burgers so they evenly disperse.
- Don't overmix the burgers because it will cause them to get tough. Once the ingredients are well combined, you're good to go!
- Don't skip the step of letting them chill in the fridge for 20-30 minute after forming the patties. This helps everything set so they won't fall apart when you cook them.
- Buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself for the best flavor.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, these turkey burgers are nutrient-rich option. The turkey provides protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins. The feta provides more protein and calcium, and the spinach and fresh parsley provide vitamin C and antioxidants. This is a gluten-free recipe.
This is such a great question because turkey is a more lean protein than beef so it does need a little extra help in a burger form. What ensures these turkey burgers are nice and juicy is the feta cheese and the extra-virgin olive oil. Both of which help to add fats and moisture for a super juicy end result.
The key to ensuring your turkey burger binds and doesn't fall apart is to add an egg. You CAN do breadcrumbs too if you want to go the extra mile but the egg is really all that I find is necessary for binding a burger. When you add breadcrumbs you enter into meatball territory and it becomes less "burger".
Yes! You absolutely can. Cook for 12-15 minutes at 375℉ (190°C) in the air fryer, flipping halfway through.
Absolutely! I have done this when I don't feel like dirtying my skillet. They won't have the same browning that the skillet provides, but I still really like them and I've made them like this for my sister and mom and they both approved. To do so, cook at 375℉ (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉ (75°C).
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Turkey Burgers Feta Spinach, Healthy Greek Inspired
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (I use 93% lean and don't recommend going more lean than that)
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup spinach
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoon red onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt (½ teaspoon if using fine table salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- your favorite buns and burger toppings (I use whole grain buns, tzatziki sauce, and sliced tomato, red onion, and cucumber)
Instructions
- Finely chop the red onion, spinach, and fresh parsley and crumble the feta cheese. Combine ingredients in a large bowl until just combined. Don't over mix because this will result in a tough burger. The burger mixture will be pretty wet and this is normal.
- Divide the mixture into 4 patties about 1 inch thick. Pro tip: make a small indentation in the center of each burger patty with your thumb. This helps them to stay even when cooking. Place the patties on a parchment lined baking sheet or plate and chill for at least 20 minutes, up to 24 hours.
- Heat a nonstick pan or cast iron skillet on medium heat. Add a little bit of extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil and once it's heated, add the patties to the pan. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, undisturbed, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (75°C) measured with a meat thermometer. Let them rest about 5 minutes before serving.
- Assemble the turkey burgers with your favorite toppings! I like to spread tzatziki sauce, hummus, or mayo on the bottom bun, top with the burger patty, sliced tomato, cucumber, and red onion before adding the top bun!
- Hint: don't push down on the burgers or move them around while they are cooking. Pushing on them will release some of the juice and you want all that to stay in the patty itself!
Notes
- Finely chop the fresh parsley, spinach, and onion for the burgers so they evenly disperse.
- Don't overmix the burgers because it will cause them to get tough. Once the ingredients are well combined, you're good to go!
- Don't skip the step of letting them chill in the fridge for 20-30 minute after forming the patties. This helps everything set so they won't fall apart when you cook them.
- Buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself for the best flavor.
- Don't press down on the patties when you're cooking them. This will release moisture and you want all that goodness to stay inside the patty for the juiciest burgers.
- Refrigerator - let the burgers cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop in a large skillet, in an air fryer, in the oven at 350℉ (177°C), or in the microwave.
- Freezer - if you want to meal prep these burgers more than 3-4 days ahead of time, you can freeze them.
- To freeze them before cooking: form the patties and then place them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for 1-2 hours and then transfer the patties to a freezer safe ziplock bag or container. To prevent them from sticking together, place a piece of parchment paper between each patty. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then cook them in a skillet according to the recipe directions.
- To freeze them after cooking: store them in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap or place a piece of parchment paper between them to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the skillet, microwave, air fryer, or oven.
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