Pizza and burgers all wrapped up into one delicious dish. The ground turkey is combined with bell peppers, sweet onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning then topped with marinara sauce and cheese. It's a great meal that kids love.
I love experimenting with burgers. There's so many ways you can make them beyond the basic beef burger. Personally, I think turkey burgers are much more tasty than beef anyway and I much prefer to make them instead of the typical ones you'll find at a restaurant or the go-tos on the grill.
However, even tasty turkey burgers can get boring if you end up doing the same old, same old flavorings over and over. That's why I like to mix it up once in a while. These Pizza Turkey Burgers are just the thing for when you're craving pizza but also want to grill out and eat a burger. Chock full of pizza flavorings and topped off with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella, these burgers will soon become your favorite go-to griller.
How do you make Pizza Turkey Burgers?
First, preheat your broiler. Then add the ground turkey, half of the seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix together with a wooden spoon or your hands. Form the ground turkey mixture into 4 patties and set those aside.
Next, heat half of the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and onion to the pan, cooking for 6-8 minutes until tender, adding a little water at a time if they begin to burn.
Season the peppers and onions with remaining Italian seasoning and set it aside.
Finally, add the rest of the oil to the pan and then the burgers, cooking on each side for 4-5 minutes until cooked through.
Top each burger with the peppers and onions, 2 tbsp of marinara sauce, and 2 tbsp of cheese. Then, pop the oven-safe skillet into the oven under the broiler until the cheese melts.
What is a broiler?
The broiler is located in the top section of your oven (typically), and it gets really, really hot, and provides direct heat to the top of whatever it is your cooking/baking. You use the broiler when you want to quickly brown, caramelize, or char the top of something, like cheese on a burger, or meringue on a pie, etc.
Ideas for Customizing Pizza Turkey Burgers
- Chop turkey pepperoni into little pieces and mix in with ground turkey and spices for an extra pizza kick.
- Top with mushrooms and black olives in addition to the onions and peppers. I also add banana peppers and jalapenos to mine occasionally.
- Skip the marinara and just add a slice of tomato and cheese before broiling.
- Serve the burger in a low-carb tortilla (place the burger in the middle of the tortilla and wrap all the way around the burger. Or use naan or another flatbread instead of a bun.
- Make an open-faced turkey burger by using only the bottom half of a low-carb bun or no bun at all!
How long should you cook turkey patties?
I cook my turkey patties for 4-5 minutes on a side and they are done all the way through. If you are not sure if your turkey patties are cooked all the way through, insert a meat thermometer into the meatiest section of the biggest burger. It should read 165 degrees when it is cooked all the way through.
Should you add egg to turkey burgers?
A lot of recipes recommend adding an egg or two to the ground meat to help bind them together. I have never had an issue keeping the burgers together as I patty mine kind of on the thick side, but you can certainly add an egg if you like before pattying and cooking.
Are turkey burgers better for you?
Ground turkey is generally healthier than ground beef if you choose a leaner mixture of ground turkey. It's labeled as 80/20 and 93/7, which refers to the amount of lean meat to fat in the package. The leaner turkey contains less saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol than its ground beef counterpart. Ground turkey also contains protein, vitamins B-6, and B-12.
Can you use pre-made turkey patties?
While I think making these turkey patties from scratch tastes way better, you can certainly use pre-made patties if you have those or you're in a hurry. Still rub the thawed patties with the Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper (if they are purchased unseasoned), and cook according to package directions, then top according to the directions below.
More turkey burger recipes
- Cowboy Turkey Burger
- Asian Turkey Burgers
- Green Chile Turkey Burgers
- Ranch Turkey Burgers
- Black Olive and Feta Turkey Burgers