Juicy 3-Ingredient Tex-Mex Turkey Burgers Recipe

Want to switch up your burger game to something quick, flavorful, and unexpectedly delicious? Chances are you will have the necessary ingredients on hand for these juicy 3-ingredient Tex-Mex turkey burgers, courtesy of recipe developer Julie Kinnaird. Turkey burgers often get a bad rap for being bland and dry, but rest assured that these burgers will have you reaching for ground turkey at the meat counter on repeat. Using only ground turkey thighs, your favorite salsa, and a Mexican cheese blend, you will create burgers that are juicy, succulent, and packed with zesty flavors. Dress them up with your favorite burger garnishes and buns for a no-sweat crowd pleaser.

Kinnaird says that her inspiration for this recipe came from the desire to use a few simple items she had on hand in her refrigerator. The shredded cheese and salsa serve double-duty by being both incorporated into the burger mix and as the garnish for the finished burgers. These turkey burgers are pan-fried in a bit of oil to help lock in the juices, but could also be prepared on your outdoor grill by rubbing the oil on the patties instead. The result of either method will be a juicy and tender burger full of melty cheese and fresh and spicy flavor. What's not to love?

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. To get the most out of it, you want super fresh and flavorful ingredients. To make these burgers juicy, start with freshly ground turkey thighs. The darker meat thighs have around 15% fat, compared with ground turkey breast, which has only 7% fat. While the burgers cook, some of that fat is released into the pan, so it is important to have enough fat present to keep the burgers from drying out. You will also add some olive oil to the burger mix to boost the fat a bit more. The olive oil is used to lubricate your desired cooking skillet, as well. Salt and freshly ground black pepper are used liberally to season these burgers, along with your favorite salsa. Not only will the salsa give the burgers additional flavor and texture, but the juices in the salsa keep the turkey moist. A shredded Mexican cheese blend, which typically includes a mix of asadero, queso quesadilla, cheddar, and Monterey jack, works as a binder for the burgers and also adds additional flavor and fat. The cheese and salsa are used for topping the burgers as well.

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, ½ cup cheese, ½ cup salsa, 1 tablespoon oil, salt, and pepper.

Use your hands or a spoon to combine everything, being careful not to overmix.

Line a platter or plate with waxed paper or parchment.

Form the burger mix into 4 patties and transfer them to the prepared platter.

Chill the patties for 30 minutes.

Coat a large cast-iron or saute pan with the remaining oil and place it over medium-high heat.

Add the chilled patties and cook on the first side for 6 minutes.

Flip the burgers and press down gently, cooking for another 6 minutes.

Flip the burgers once more, turn off the heat, and sprinkle on the remaining cheese.

Cover the pan and let sit for about 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Transfer the burgers to a serving platter and top with the remaining salsa. Serve immediately with buns and garnishes, if desired.

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The first quality to consider when choosing a store-bought salsa for these juicy 3-ingredient Tex-Mex turkey burgers is its consistency. A salsa that has some decent chunky bites of tomatoes, peppers, and onions will mix into the ground turkey more easily than a thin or watery salsa that might make the patties too loose. Red or green salsa works equally well in this recipe, as the ground turkey is like a blank canvas waiting for color and flavor. Depending on your personal preference, these burgers can be mild, medium, or extra spicy from the heat of the salsa you choose. If you want a bit of smokiness in your burgers, choose a variety like chipotle salsa or salsa borracha, which uses dried chiles. Kinnaird has a preference for a fruity profile, such as a pineapple or mango salsa, to add a bit of sweetness to the burgers.

If you want to make your own fresh salsa to use, keep the ingredients uniform in size and get adventurous with the flavors. The salsa is the key element in these juicy burgers to make them flavorful and complex. A salsa with spice, heat, and fresh ingredients will give you a most memorable burger.

Because turkey burgers are much leaner than their beef-based counterparts, adding additional fat is one way to ensure that you will have a juicy burger. For this recipe, that means a small addition of olive oil along with the grated cheese. The olive oil boosts the fat content to compensate for any fat that renders out while the burgers are cooking, while the cheese melts into the ground turkey, giving the burgers a melty texture and binding all of the ingredients together to hold in moisture. The high water content of the salsa also helps to replenish juices that are lost in the cooking process. Treat the burger mixture with care when combining the ingredients to prevent a tough product after frying. The ingredients just need to be mixed until they come together with an even distribution.

Although this recipe was designed with just 3 ingredients in mind, there are plenty of items that can be added for extra juiciness and a more complex flavor. Consider adding mayonnaise or mashed avocado to the raw burger mixture. These ingredients supplement the fat content while adding a rich flavor and mouthfeel. Try additional spices such as smoked paprika and chili powder, or throw in some fresh cilantro or chives. Chopped black olives would also add a nice briny touch. 

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