Perfectly cooked and flavorful Thai turkey burgers with a bright superfood slaw and peanut sauce aioli. A healthy, delicious, and easy weeknight meal!
Thai Turkey Burgers with Superfood Slaw
I’m a huge fan of turkey burgers. They easily take on different flavors, taste delicious, and offer a healthier alternative to regular ground beef.
Unfortunately, turkey burgers have gotten a bad reputation. Many people, including my mom, believe they are dry and flavorless. I get it – there are some bad turkey burgers out there. If not done properly, turkey burgers can be bland and unappetizing.
Today, I’m going to show you how to make the perfect, juicy, and flavorful turkey burger that will turn any turkey burger hater into a believer. These Thai turkey burgers with superfood slaw and peanut sauce aioli are super juicy, bursting with flavor and textures and uses simple, healthy ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! They are sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen!
tips for making the perfect turkey burger
- Add flavor. Ground turkey meat is criticized for being bland, but I like to think of it as a blank canvas where you can get creative and impart any flavor you desire. I used Thai favors, like peanut sauce and soy sauce, to bring these turkey burgers to life.
- Add moisture. Turkey doesn’t have a lot of fat, so it needs some added fat and moisture to help keep it juicy. I added an egg and panko breadcrumbs, that act as additional fat and binders to hold the burgers together. Plus, I added peanut sauce to keep these burgers flavorful and juicy.
- Toast your buns. This is such an important but often missed step. I toasted the buns in a hot cast iron skillet with olive oil until they were golden brown and a little crispy around the edges. Once they were done cooking, I sprinkled with a little salt. It adds texture and more flavor to these burgers!
- Proper cooking techniques. Overcooking a turkey burgers results in a dry sad burger. But if cooked properly, they can be truly magic! I like to first cook them in a hot cast iron skillet, about 3 minutes a side, so they form a golden brown crust. Next, I finish them in a 375 degree oven so they slowly finish cooking all the way through (to an internal temp. of 165). It’s a fool proof method that yields a perfectly juicy turkey burger every time!
- Spice it up! As talked about above, turkey burgers need a little love to make them flavorful. Don’t forget to season with salt! And add extra spices, like garlic and ginger.
- Extra salt at the end. Once the burgers finish cooking, I sprinkle with a little extra salt. Like I’ve said, turkey burgers need added flavor and this little added salt at the end just helps amplify the flavors we already added.
- A good topping and sauce. Turkey burgers need assistance from a supporting cast to make them shine. In these Thai turkey burgers, I added a bright, herbaceous slaw, some spicy jalapeño slices, and a addictively delicious peanut sauce aioli. Together all the flavors sing in harmony and create a wonderful turkey burger!
more about the slaw
This slaw is super simple to make. I used a superfood veggie mix that contains cabbage, kale, Brussel spouts, and carrots, which I found in the salad section of the grocery store. You could also use a broccoli slaw mix. You could even make your own slaw by shaving you favorite veggies.
I amped up the slaw with green onions and cilantro.
Next, I tossed the veggies in a light but flavorful vinaigrette made with rice wine vinegar, lime juice, soy, and agave (things you probably already have in your pantry!).
This slaw is so simple to make but adds a lot of extra flavor and crunch!
are these turkey burgers healthy?
Absolutely! I used 90% lean turkey so are low in fat. I also used whole wheat buns for added nutrients and fiber. The slaw is made with superfood veggies, like kale and Brussel sprouts, and tossed in a light vinaigrette. Plus, the aioli is made with Sir Kensington’s avocado oil organic mayo and Sky Valley’s organic peanut sauce (both made with wholesome ingredients). All together this is a delicious, nutritious meal!
other easy and delicious meals!
- Asian Mason Jar Salads with Miso Tahini Dressing
- Perfectly baked sweet potato fries and homemade Greek yogurt ranch
- Healthy Bolognese with gluten-free pasta.
enjoy!
These perfectly cooked and flavorful Thai turkey burgers with a bright superfood slaw and peanut sauce aioli will turn anyone into a turkey burger lover!
If you make these Thai turkey burgers with superfood slaw, please leave a comment below. I absolutely love to hear from you guys and your thoughts on my recipes. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or pin it on pinterest, cuz sharing is caring!
Thai Turkey Burgers with Superfood Slaw
Ingredients
Burger Patties
- 1 1/2 pounds 90% lean turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons peanut sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh minced ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
Superfood Slaw
- 2 cups superfood slaw or broccoli slaw
- 2 green onions diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon soy
- 1 teaspoon agave or can sugar
- Dash salt to taste
Peanut Sauce Aioli
- 4 tablespoons peanut sauce I used Sky Valley
- 1/2 cup mayo I use organic Sir Kensington’s
- Squeeze of lime juice
Assembling Burgers
- 6 whole wheat buns
- Pinch of salt
- 1 jalapeño thinly sliced
- Extra cilantro
Instructions
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Heat oven to 375 degrees.
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In a large bowl, add all of the burger patty ingredients. With your hands or a spoon, gently mix all of the ingredients until well-incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix.
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Divide mixture into 4-5 burger patties.**
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Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in cast iron skillet. Add burgers to the hot pan. Cook for 3-4 mines on each side, or until they form a golden brown crust (do not flip or disturb while they are cooking on each side or they will not form a crust).
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Add burgers to a sheet pan. Finish cooking in oven for 8-10 minutes or until internal temperature reads 165 degrees. Sprinkle a little salt on each burger when done cooking. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
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While the burgers cook in the oven, wipe out the cast iron skillet and add a little more oil. Toast the buns (2-3 minutes a side) until golden brown. Sprinkle with salt.
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Combine all the aioli ingredients. Set aside.
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In a small bowl, whisk together all of the slaw dressing ingredients. Add in the slaw, green onions, and cilantro and toss until coated in the dressing.
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Assemble the burgers by firs adding the sauce to tops and bottoms of each bun. Top the bottom bun with the burger patty and add desired amount of slaw. Top with top portion of the bun.
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Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
**Burgers hold together best if you place burger patties in the fridge for 4 hours to overnight (tip: make burger patties in the morning and place in fridge and take them out 15 minutes before cooking).
