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    Home » Recipes » BBQ Recipes

    Grilled Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki

    Published: Aug 12, 2021 · Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by Philip Lago and Mystique Mattai · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Turkey Burger on a bun with feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, red onion, tomato and cucumbers

    Inspired by Greek flavors, our Grilled Greek Turkey Burgers with tzatziki feature ground turkey patties that are flavored with garlic, oregano, and Kalamata olives and then topped with red onion, feta cheese, tomato slices, and cucumbers – it's basically the Greek salad version of a turkey burger.

    Turkey Burger on a bun with tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, red onion, tomato and cucumbers
    Jump to:
    • Ingredient List
    • Substitutions
    • Recipe Steps: How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers
    • Chef's Tips
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Other Sandwich Recipes to Consider
    • Recipe Card

    Most people I know have a love-hate relationship with turkey. Of course, no Thanksgiving or Christmas is complete without this beautiful bird on the table, but aside from these two occasions, let’s just say turkey isn’t winning the most popular meat vote. That is until now. 

    Moist, juicy, and filled with Greek flavors, our Grilled Turkey Burgers with tzatziki, red onion, feta cheese, tomato slices, and cucumbers, take modest ground turkey and turn it up a notch with all the ingredients found in a Greek salad.

    These turkey burgers contain no egg or breadcrumbs. The meat mixture uses just lean ground turkey mixed with garlic, Kalamata olives, red onion, and oregano, and is paired with a creamy tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and fresh garlic.

    But what makes this Greek burger divine is the overlapping layers of texture and flavor that hit the palate with every bite. Serve on its own or with a side of Oven Baked French Fries, our Mediterranean-inspired Street Corn, or Hummus and Grilled Vegetables.

    Ingredient List

    Flat lay style image of ingredients to make a greek burger
    • Ground Turkey
    • Kalamata Olives
    • Red Onion
    • Oregano
    • Garlic
    • Salt and Pepper
    • Buns
    • Tomato
    • Geta Cheese
    • Cucumber
    • Tzatziki Sauce 

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Turkey - Ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork and even plant-based meats will all work great in our Greek turkey burgers. 
    • Garlic - if you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, use ½ teaspoon of garlic salt for every garlic clove. 
    • Burger Bun - Brioche bread is our choice for any gourmet burger, but use any favorite hamburger bun of yours for the recipe. A good strong lettuce leaf, such as iceberg lettuce, can be used as lettuce wraps.

    Recipe Steps: How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers

    Grated cucumbers in a sieve

    1. Grate a drain cucumber.

    Grate half a cucumber into a sieve, season with salt, and after a few minutes, squeeze out all the liquid. 

    Tzatziki in a glass bowl

    2. Make a quick tzatziki sauce.

    Mix the cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Set aside for assembly.

    Ground turkey, oregano, minced garlic, minced red onion in a glass bowl

    3. Make the turkey mix.

    Combine ground turkey, Kalamata olives, garlic, minced red onion, oregano, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

    Hands holding a ball of turkey burger meat with burgers formed on a silver pan

    4. Form the turkey burger patties.

    Divide the meat mixture into 4 portions. Roll into balls, then use your hands or the bottom of a plate to flatten them to about a half-inch thickness. Place the burgers in the fridge until they are ready to hit the grill.

    Toasted bun on a plate surrounded by bbq turkey burgers, tzatziki, tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese

    5. Grill the burgers.

    Grill the burgers for 5 minutes per side, until cooked through, then set aside to rest for three minutes. If you're toasting your buns then arrange them on the bbq for one minute while the turkey burgers are resting. 

    Greek burger with feta cheese, tzatziki, red onion, tomatoes and cucumbers

    6. Assemble the burgers.

    Divide the meat mixture into 4 portions. Roll into balls, then use your hands or the bottom of a plate to flatten them to about a half-inch thickness. Place the burgers in the fridge until they are ready to hit the grill.

    Hint: let the grill run for 4-5 minutes to burn off any remnants, then clean it.

    Chef's Tips

    Use cold meat: Turkey can sometimes fall apart when barbecuing. To avoid this, ensure the meat is cold and work quickly when making and forming the patties. For best results, place the patties in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before grilling.

    Grilling the perfect burger: Preheat the barbecue on medium-high for at least 15 minutes before cooking. The grill will be hot enough to sear the outside of the burger without cooking it too quickly.

    Internal temperature: Cook the turkey burgers to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. To get an accurate temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the center of the turkey burger.

    Storage

    Uncooked turkey patties can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cut parchment paper squares slightly larger than the turkey patties. Place the burgers on the parchment paper in single layers and stack them to fit into a freezer-safe container.

    Cooked turkey burgers can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

    Hands holding a Turkey Burger over a white dish

    Recipe FAQs

    What is tzatziki sauce?

    Tzatziki is a Greek yogurt sauce made with cucumber, strained yogurt, olive oil, fresh garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs, such as dill or mint (or both). It’s traditionally made with sheep or goat yogurt, however, we use Greek yogurt because it’s thick and reduces straining time.

    How do you know when turkey burgers are cooked?

    Turkey should always be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer to measure the temperature, cut into the patty to ensure the turkey is not pink in the center, as well any juices should run clear.

    Why do my turkey burgers fall apart?

    Turkey burgers can fall apart when being grilled on the barbecue. Here are a few tips we suggest: oil the grates before grilling, fully preheat the barbeque, and chill the burger patties before you grill.

    Do I have to use a barbecue to grill the burgers?

    No, if you don't have a barbecue or prefer an alternative cooking method, you can cook the burgers on a grill pan, cast-iron skillet, or frying pan set to medium-high heat.

    Can I make turkey burgers ahead of time?

    Yes, the turkey patties can be made 1 day in advance and refrigerated. They also are great for freezing: form the patties and place pieces of parchment between the parties. Freeze up to 3 months.

    Other Sandwich Recipes to Consider

    • Grilled BBQ Jerk Chicken Sandwich on a sesame seed bun with grilled pineapple and coleslaw
      Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwiches with Grilled Pineapple
    • fried cod fish sandwich (homemade filet-o-fish) on a table.
      Fried Cod Fish Sandwich
    • Italian sausage sandwich with roasted peppers and onions, drizzled with basil aioli.
      Italian Sausage Sandwich with Peppers
    • Burger with Tomato Sauce and Cheese
      BBQ Pork Parm Burgers with Basil Mayo + Tomato Sauce

    If you tried this Greek Turkey Burger Recipe or any other recipe on our website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    Recipe Card

    Greek Turkey Burger with Tzatziki, Feta Cheese, Red Onion, and Cucumbers on a marble board

    Grilled Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki

    5 from 3 votes
    Philip Lago and Mystique Mattai
    Inspired by the ingredients in a Greek salad, these grilled turkey burgers are light, juicy and fresh, and are topped with a quick tzatziki, feta cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and red onion.
    Servings: 4 people
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins

    Ingredients
      

    Quick Tzatziki

    • 1 cup grated cucumber
    • ½ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon dill
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Greek Burgers

    • 1 ⅓ lb ground turkey
    • ¼ cup chopped Kalamata olives
    • 2 tablespoon chopped red onion
    • 1 tablespoon oregano
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • Salt and pepper
    • 4 burger buns
    • 8 slices tomato
    • 8 slices red onion
    • 8 slices feta
    • 15 slices cucumber

    Instructions
     

    • (If using store-bought tzatziki - skip to step 3) Place grated cucumber in a sieve placed over a bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Let sit for about 5 minutes then squeeze as much liquid from the cucumbers as you can.
    • Mix together the strained cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Set aside for assembly.
    • In a medium bowl combine ground turkey, Kalamata olives, garlic, minced red onion, oregano, salt, and pepper.
    • Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and roll into balls. Use your hands or the bottom of a plate to flatten to about a half-inch. Place on a plate and chill in the fridge until grilling.
    • Preheat your barbecue on high heat. Remove the burgers from the fridge and season each with a pinch of salt. Oil your barbecue grates and grill the burgers for 5 minutes per side, until cooked through, then set aside to rest for three minutes. 
    • If you're toasting your buns then arrange them on the bbq for one minute while the turkey burgers are resting. 
    • To assemble, load the bottom bun with tzatziki and place a turkey burger on top. Lay a slice of tomato, red onion, a few cucumber slices, and couple thick slices of feta cheese. Dollop with a little more tzatziki and enjoy.

    Video

    Recipe Notes

    • For safety, use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°c).
    • Uncooked turkey patties can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cut parchment paper squares slightly larger than the turkey patties. Place the burgers on the parchment paper in single layers and stack them to fit into a freezer-safe container.
    • Cooked turkey burger leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 827mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 4mg

    Additional Information

    Course: Al Fresco, Main Course, Sandwiches
    Cuisine: American, Canadian, Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 390
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and let us know!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda says

      December 30, 2023 at 5:30 pm

      We made this recipe tonight and here are our thoughts… these burgers came together so quickly and they were delicious!! It was too cold out to go and bbq so we pan fried them for 5-6 mins per side 👌🏼 even our kids (5 & 3) enjoyed our fancy burgers tonight! Don’t wait on making this recipe. 5 stars from our whole family!5 stars

      Reply
      • Philip Lago + Mystique Mattai says

        January 02, 2024 at 12:52 pm

        Hi Amanda!

        Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. So thrilled your whole family loved the burgers. It's always our goal to make food that is beautiful and unique, but approachable for everyone to cook and eat. Thanks again!

        Reply
    2. Layla L says

      August 19, 2021 at 11:21 pm

      These burgers are so flavourful. I love the addition of the olives in the patties and the thick layer of feta. I made them for friends and they all were such a hit. Great recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Philip + Mystique says

        September 22, 2021 at 12:12 am

        So happy you and your friends enjoyed the burgers as much as we do. We're suckers for feta!

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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