Tired of turkey burgers that turn out dry, bland, and sadly disappointing? I was too, until I cracked the code. The secret to an incredibly juicy and flavorful turkey burger isn’t a mystery; it’s ricotta cheese! These Skillet Turkey Burgers are a total game changer. Cooked in a screaming hot skillet for a perfect crust and finished in the oven, they are anything but boring. Get ready for the only turkey burger recipe you’ll ever need!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Juicy: The whole milk ricotta cheese adds moisture and fat, ensuring every single bite is tender and never dry.
- Perfect Crust: Cooking in a cast iron skillet gives these burgers a beautiful, dark golden-brown, flavorful crust that you just can’t get from a grill.
- Quick & Easy: From bowl to bun in under 30 minutes, with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make and shape the patties ahead of time for a quick dinner any night of the week.
Ingredients for Skillet Turkey Burgers
- 1¼ pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup whole milk Ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 hamburger buns
- Your favorite burger toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.)
Instructions for Making Skillet Turkey Burgers
1Prep and Mix: Preheat your oven to 350°F and set a rack in the middle. This is key for finishing the burgers evenly.
In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, and Dijon mustard.
Pro Tip: Use your hands to mix! This is the best way to incorporate the ingredients evenly without overmixing, which can make the burgers tough.
2Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Gently toss one portion back and forth between your hands to form a ball, then lightly flatten it into a ¾ inch thick patty.
The Secret Step: Use your thumb to make a slight depression in the center of each patty. This “thumbprint” prevents the burgers from puffing up into a ball in the middle as they cook, giving you a perfectly flat, even burger.
3Sear to Perfection: Place a large, heavy, ovenproof skillet (like cast iron) over medium heat and let it get really hot; this should take about 4-5 minutes. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
Carefully add the patties to the hot skillet. Let them cook, without moving them, for 3-4 minutes, until a dark golden brown crust forms on the bottom.
4Flip and Finish in the Oven: Flip the burgers over and cook for another 3 minutes on the second side until light brown.
Now, transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the burgers are completely cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F.
5Serve and Enjoy! Remove the burgers from the skillet and let them rest for a minute. Serve immediately on toasted buns with all your favorite toppings.
Skillet Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1¼ pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup whole milk Ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, combine turkey, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, ricotta, breadcrumbs, and mustard. Mix with hands until blended.
- Shape into 4 equal patties, ¾-inch thick. Press a slight depression in the center of each.
- Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Add oil.
- Cook patties for 3-4 minutes without moving, until a dark crust forms.
- Flip and cook 3 minutes more.
- Transfer skillet to oven. Bake for 7-8 mins, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- The Ricotta Secret: Whole milk ricotta is key for adding moisture and fat to the lean turkey.
- Don't Skip the Thumbprint: Making a slight depression in the center of the raw patty prevents it from puffing up during cooking.
- Make Ahead: Shape the patties and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months before cooking.
