This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Say goodbye to dry, flavorless turkey burgers and hello to these juicy Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers! Sliced apples, cheddar cheese and maple dijon mustard are the perfect sweet and savory toppings!
I know, I know, another turkey recipe. I don’t usually post two recipes in a row with the same main ingredient, but I couldn’t resist when it came to these Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers.
Turkey burgers are a favorite of mine, I actually prefer them over beef. Of course this is all depending on if they are made the right way. So many of the turkey burgers in restaurants are actually not that great for you. In fact you’d probably be better off going with the beef.
When people see turkey burger on a menu they automatically think healthy, but in most cases the restaurants are using dark meat turkey. I can’t say I blame them, all that extra fat gives the burger much needed moisture and flavor.
However, there are healthier ways to make a lean turkey burger taste great and not cause you to choke on it because it’s so dry. In the case of these Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers, it’s the shredded apple in the burger itself that adds a nice amount of moisture and apple flavor.
Along with shredded apple you’ll also find green onion, dijon mustard and a little apple juice. They’re simple ingredients, but when paired with the toppings it makes for a delicious and healthy burger. Another great thing about these turkey burgers is that they can be cooked in a skillet for those days when you want a burger, but aren’t about to go stand outside in 20 degree weather manning the grill.
The toppings for the turkey burger aren’t the usual lettuce and tomato although you could throw those on too if you wanted. Instead of lettuce and tomato this burger is topped with sharp cheddar cheese, slices of sweet apple and an incredible maple dijon sauce. It’s a classic flavor combination that gives you the perfect sweet, savory and salty bite.
For those of you doing low-carb feel free to wrap the turkey burger up in lettuce, eat it as is or even chop it up and put it on top of a salad. If you go the bun route, I always suggest toasting your bun for that nice toasty crunch. This Cheddar Apple Turkey Burger is a totally satisfying dinner for days when that burger craving hits and will make you forget all about the dry flavorless ones from the freezer section or the calorie bomb at the restaurant!
Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey, I use 93/7%
- 1 apple, shredded
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 4 buns, toasted
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
Maple Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a large bowl use your hands to combine all of the ingredients for the turkey burgers being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 equal parts and form them into patties.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add the patties to the hot skillet and cook on each side for approximately 4-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- During the last minute of cooking add slices of cheddar cheese to the tops of the burger and cover with a lid or foil until the cheese is melted.
- While the burgers cook whisk together the maple dijon mustard, slice an apple and toast the buns. Serve the turkey burgers topped with slices of apple and some of the maple dijon mustard.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Grilled Pineapple and Onions
Green Chile Turkey Burgers with Guacamole and Pickled Red Onions
This recipe is so delicious and is very healthy! The apple slice on top of the cheese adds such a great flavor. We did try to grill these instead of using the skillet but they were very sticky on the grates so started to fall apart when my husband tried to flip them. He saved them by running the grill fork along each grate under the burgers to unstick them and then they flipped just fine. My husband suggested that if after I formed the burgers that I then froze them before putting them on the grill that would prevent the problem. We may also try them in the skillet as directed in the recipe.
I’m glad you enjoyed the burgers Beth! Sticking them in the freezer briefly before grilling is a great tip. I also recommend rubbing a little olive oil on the patties before putting them on the grill.
What’s the best kind of apple to use?
I like to use a variety that is crisp. I like the crunch paired with the burger. I would suggest either a Honeycrisp or if you want something tart, a Granny Smith.
These look great! Just to clarify, the “all of the ingredients for the turkey burgers” is from the turkey through the salt and pepper on that list, correct? Thanks!
That’s correct Samantha. Hope you enjoy them!
Could these turkey burgers be baked in the oven and if so at what temperature and for how long? It’s sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Debi,
I haven’t tried making them this way, but yes you can certainly bake them. I would bake at 375 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
What is on top of the burger that looks kind of like a sliced peach? Is that the cheese?
It’s sliced apple and cheddar cheese.
This is one of my favorite burgers now! Each time it doesn’t disappoint! I hope you don’t mind if I link this recipe to my personal blog!
We love it too! It’s my go-to when I’m not sure what kind of burger to make. I don’t mind if you link to the recipe at all, but please don’t post the recipe on your blog. Thanks so much for sharing!
I made these last night for dinner. They were so flavorful! Such a unique tasting burger. We really loved them. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for trying out the burgers Jennifer and I’m glad you enjoyed them!
These were delicious! I made them tonight. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Thank you for trying the recipe Suzanne and I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Holy delicious. This might be the single best looking turkey burger I’ve ever seen! LOVE the apple/cheddar combo. Definitely saving this one!