Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers
Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers are juicy grilled burgers made with lean ground turkey, pepper jack cheese, smoky spices, and fresh jalapeños. Ready in under an hour and perfect for cookouts or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Turkey Burgers
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeño pepper finely diced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds 93% lean ground turkey
Optional Toppings
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
- Hamburger buns
- Sliced jalapeños
- Spicy mayo
- Guacamole
- Sliced tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Red onion
- Pickles
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, shredded pepper jack cheese, onion, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, Worcestershire sauce, salt, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper.
- Add the ground turkey and gently mix until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
- Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape into thick patties. Press a small indentation into the center of each patty to prevent puffing during cooking.
- Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat a grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the chilled patties for about 5 minutes with the lid closed.
- Flip the burgers and continue grilling for another 3–5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- During the last 30 seconds, top each burger with a slice of pepper jack cheese if desired.
- Toast the burger buns if preferred.
- Assemble the Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers with your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ground chicken can be substituted for ground turkey.
- Swap pepper jack with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- Serve with sweet potato fries, potato salad, coleslaw, or grilled vegetables.
- Patties can be frozen before cooking for up to 3 months.