Juicy Turkey Smash Burgers with Secret Sauce
Juicy Turkey Smash Burgers with crispy edges! Made with lean ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and paprika, then cooked on a hot cast iron skillet or HexClad Hybrid Griddle for the best crust. Topped with red onion, feta, and my creamy Greek Yogurt Secret Sauce for the perfect bite!
Nothing beats a juicy, crispy-edged Turkey Smash Burger, and trust me, I’ve made more than my fair share to perfect this recipe. This isn’t just any turkey burger—it’s my go-to for a quick, flavor-packed meal that even my pickiest eaters love. With lean ground turkey, a hint of Worcestershire sauce, and just the right balance of seasonings, these burgers come out incredibly juicy every time.
The key to achieving that irresistible texture is cooking them on a well-heated pan, which creates those signature crispy edges with every bite. And here’s my secret—while the patties are sizzling away, I sprinkle Worcestershire sauce directly onto them for an extra boost of savory goodness. Whether you’re using a trusty cast iron skillet, an outdoor griddle, or my personal favorite, the HexClad Hybrid Griddle, this foolproof method guarantees smash burger success.
But we can’t forget about the sauce! I’m sharing my lightened-up take on McDonald’s classic Big Mac Sauce—a creamy, tangy Greek Yogurt Secret Sauce that takes these turkey burgers to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Burgers Recipe
- Crispy Edges & Juicy Center: Smashing the patties thin on a hot surface develops a mouthwatering golden brown crust while keeping the inside perfectly tender.
- Leaner Without Sacrificing Flavor: Indulge in a big, juicy burger made better-for-you with lean turkey meat—these win over even devoted red meat fans like my husband!
- Quick Cooking: With just 2-3 minutes per side, you can have dinner on the table in a flash. Perfect for busy weeknights!
- Versatile Toppings: Customize your burger just how you like it—pile on the toppings or keep it simple with red onion and a drizzle of secret sauce.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make juicy turkey burgers:
Ground Turkey: I use 93% lean ground turkey for the juiciest results. Ground chicken or a blend of light and dark turkey meat also work well.
Worcestershire Sauce: The umami secret weapon! In a pinch, substitute soy sauce or a dash of balsamic vinegar.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Pantry staples that pack a flavorful punch. Use fresh minced garlic and grated onion for an even bigger flavor boost.
Smoked Paprika: Lends earthy, smoky notes. Regular paprika is a fine substitute.
Italian Seasoning: A balanced dried herb blend. Make your own by combining equal parts dried basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme.
Salt & Pepper: Non-negotiables for properly seasoned patties. Kick up the heat with a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy.
Greek Yogurt: Creamy base for the special sauce. You can also use mayo, whipped cottage cheese, or sour cream.
Mustard Powder: Adds flavor—Yellow mustard in a jar will also work instead.
Pure Maple Syrup: Subtle sweetness in the sauce—You can also use honey, agave nectar, or granulated sugar.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang to the sauce—White vinegar can also be used.
Bun: Use any bun you like, including gluten-free. You can also wrap the burger in lettuce for a low-carb option.
How to Make My Juicy Smash Burgers Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Big Mac Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.
Step 2: Form the Ground Turkey Patties
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb lean ground turkey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Mix gently without overworking the meat. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 equal portions and roll them into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.
Step 3: Cook the Turkey Burgers
Preheat a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray or 1 tbsp olive oil.
Place a turkey ball on the hot surface, cover with a piece of parchment paper, and press down with a burger press or large spatula until about ¼ inch thick. You can also spray the back of your spatula with some cooking spray and smash the patties without using parchment paper.
Let cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges. While cooking, sprinkle 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce over each patty for extra depth of flavor and juiciness. Flip with a metal spatula, press gently, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Optional: In the last minute of cooking, add a slice of American cheese, pepper jack, or feta on top of each patty and let it melt.
Step 4: Assemble the Burgers
Place each turkey patty on your favorite bun, top with red onion, your favorite burger toppings, and a drizzle of special sauce.
Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Smash Burgers
Add some butter: Dot patties with cold butter before smashing for extra richness
Don’t overmix: Handle meat mixture gently to avoid tough burgers
A hot griddle: Preheat your cooking surface well for optimal crispiness
Add juiciness: Sprinkle patties with Worcestershire mid-cook for unbeatable flavor
Internal temperature: Use an instant read thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temperature
Make It Your Way: Serving Suggestions
- Classic: Lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, American cheese on a toasted brioche bun
- Greek-ish: Feta, cucumber slices, red onion, secret sauce on a pita
- Spicy: Pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapeños, chipotle secret sauce on a pretzel roll
- In a Pinch: Any melty cheese, your favorite toppings, a slather of secret sauce on the best buns on hand
Make Ahead Tips
- Mix and form the patties up to a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Whip up a double batch of the secret sauce—it keeps for a week and tastes great on everything!
Do you love burgers? Check out more of my easy burger-inspired recipes:
Turkey Smash Burgers with Greek Yogurt Secret Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 dashes pepper
- 1 cup lettuce
- 4 slices tomato (diced)
- 4 slices cheese
- 1/4 red onion (diced)
- 1/4 cup pickles
- 4 buns (gluten-free if needed)
Special Sauce:
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon mustard
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 dash black pepper
Instructions
- Special Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup greek yogurt, 2 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp mustard powder, 2 tsp maple syrup, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper and whisk until well combined. You can also mix it together in a food processor or blender.
- Smash Turkey Burgers: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb lean ground turkey, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Mix gently without overworking the meat. Divide the turkey mixture into 4 equal portions and roll them into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray or 1 tbsp olive oil.Place a turkey ball on the hot surface, cover with a piece of parchment paper, and press down with a burger press or large spatula until about ¼ inch thick. You can also spray the back of your spatula with some cooking spray and smash the patties without using parchment paper.Let cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges. While cooking, sprinkle 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce over each patty for extra depth of flavor and juiciness.Flip with a metal spatula, press gently, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.Optional: In the last minute of cooking, add a slice of American cheese, pepper jack, or feta on top of each patty and let it melt.
- Place each turkey patty on a bun, top with red onion, your favorite burger toppings, and a drizzle of special sauce.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
I just made these for supper and they are excellent!
That is fantastic, Lori! Thank you for sharing this with me 🙂
Really good and juicy!
I LOVE these turkey burgers and I can’t wait for you to try them! Let me know what you think 🙂