This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Made with a 50/50 blend of zesty Italian turkey sausage and lean ground turkey, smothered in mozzarella, asiago, and grilled peppers, these Italian Turkey Burgers are sure to be a hit at your next backyard festa.

Italian turkey burger with cheese and vegetables on a white plate

Ben’s parents live on a lake outside of Milwaukee, and their prime spot (and a pontoon boat) means that Ben and I—along with just about every one of their landlocked friends—make an appearance at the Clarke household on summer weekend afternoons (usually with a bowl of this Italian Farro Salad in hand).

It’s remarkable how an hour of lying around on a boat can leave one ravenously hungry and parched (even though we’ve been sipping Peach Margaritas all afternoon).

Without fail every Saturday afternoon, the post-pontoon hoard descends upon the Clarkes’ kitchen in desperate search of sustenance.

juicy Italian turkey burger topped with cheese and grilled vegetables

Queue the Italian turkey burgers!

Today’s healthy turkey burger recipe is MADE for:

5 Star Review

“These were delicious! Thank you for another great recipe.”

— Elaine —

Not your average turkey burgers, these Italian-style turkey burgers are inspired by those sunny afternoons where Ben’s dad lights up the grill and cooks up army-sized quantities of juicy Italian sausages with grilled peppers and onions.

So simple, but so satisfyingly delicious!

Healthy turkey burger on a bun with cheese and grilled vegetables

How to Make Italian Turkey Burgers

Loaded with Italian seasonings, breadcrumbs, and a juicy blend of lean ground turkey and Italian turkey sausage, these delicious burgers will convert any turkey burger skeptics.


The Ingredients

  • Ground Turkey. A great alternative to ground beef for burgers, ground turkey is an excellent lean protein source. (Don’t believe me? Try these Chipotle Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers or classic Turkey Burgers too!)
  • Italian Turkey Sausages. Add richness, zestiness, and just a little extra fat to keep these burgers moist and juicy. You just have to decide if you want mild or spicy!
moist turkey burger on a wheat bun with cheese and grilled vegetables
  • Panko Bread Crumbs. Because turkey is so lean, turkey burgers can often fall apart easily when grilling. Using breadcrumbs benefits the burgers by working like glue to hold everything together.
  • Herbs and Spices. A blend of basil, oregano, fennel seeds, garlic, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes mirrors classic Italian sausage ingredients.

Substitution Tip!

If you don’t have individual jars of these herbs in your pantry, you may substitute 1 tablespoon of your favorite Italian seasoning blend.

  • Asiago and Mozzarella. A perfect marriage between creamy, melty mozzarella cheese and sharp, salty Asiago crowns these Italian turkey burgers.

Substitution Tip

Asiago is available in the more specialty cheese section of most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, you can omit it or swap freshly shredded Parmesan.

grilled peppers and onions on a stoneware plate
  • Bell Peppers. A mix of red and green peppers make these an ode to the Italian flag.

Market Swap

Feel free to use your favorite color of bell peppers for this recipe. Red, orange, yellow, green… they’re all equally beautiful and delicious on these turkey burgers.

  • Red Onions. Add a little zip, a little bite, and extra crunch.
  • Buns. These are hearty, hefty burgers so I like to go for a whole wheat bun since I feel they hold up best against all the tasty toppings.

Tip!

Not just for Baked Chicken Parmesan! Add a dollop of warm marinara sauce to the top of each burger before serving for an extra tasty (albeit messy) addition. Buonissimo!

The Directions

ground turkey, turkey sausage, breadcrumbs, and spices in a glass bowl
  1. Combine the turkey patty ingredients in a bowl and mix until evenly combined.

Tip!

When mixing, use a gentle hand and try to handle the meat as little as possible, and avoid compacting the meat. This can cause your turkey burgers to become tough and rubbery once cooked.

uncooked italian seasoned turkey burger patties on a plate
  1. Shape into six patties.
juicy italian turkey burger patties on a hot grill with charred grill marks
  1. Cook on a preheated grill, flipping once.
topping italian turkey burger patties with shredded cheese on a hot grill
  1. Top with cheese and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and the burgers are fully cooked.
bell peppers and red onions sliced in a glass bowl with olive oil
  1. Meanwhile, toss together the onions and bell peppers in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
grilling peppers and onions on a piece of foil on a hot grill
  1. Grill until the veggies are tender and slightly charred.
grilled italian-style turkey burgers topped with cheese on a plate beside grilled peppers
  1. Remove the burgers and veggies to serving platters and serve on buns of your choice. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Leftover cooked turkey patties may be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze. Cooked patties may be kept frozen for up to 3 months. 
  • To Reheat. If frozen, defrost cooked turkey burger patties in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet, covered, with a little extra water to help the burgers stay moist.

Meal Prep Tip

Big party coming up? You can make these burgers ahead. Mix together the Italian turkey patty ingredients a few days (or weeks) ahead of your big event, shape into patties, and then freeze.

Uncooked patties may be frozen on a baking sheet until firm, then transferred to a freezer-safe container for storage for up to 3 months. To cook, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then grill as directed.

What to Serve with Italian Turkey Burgers

  • Grill Set. We love this all-in-one grill set the contains everything we need for a cookout.
  • Mixing Bowls. For mixing the turkey burger patty ingredients.
  • Silicone Grill Mat. Non-stick is perfect for grilling vegetables. It’s reusable and cleans easily in the dishwasher!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Keep Turkey Burgers From Falling Apart?

Adding breadcrumbs, an egg, or a combination of both helps bind turkey burger patties together so they don’t fall apart.

Why Are My Turkey Burgers Rubbery?

When mixing and shaping turkey burgers, don’t overhandle the meat. Be gentle, and don’t compact the meat too much. Doing so can cause the burgers to become tough and rubbery once cooked.

Are Turkey Burgers Bad For You?

Turkey burgers are a healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. They are lower in both fat and cholesterol while still providing ample protein and iron.

Italian Turkey Burgers

5 from 9 votes
Healthy grilled Italian turkey burgers made with a blend of Italian turkey sausage and lean ground turkey then topped Asiago and peppers.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 6 burgers

Ingredients
  

For the Burgers:

  • 1 pound 99% lean ground turkey
  • 1 pound turkey sausage sweet or spicy with casings removed (I used spicy)
  • 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons ground basil
  • 2 teaspoons ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 8 ounces Asiago cheese
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese
  • 6 whole wheat hamburger buns for serving

For the Grilled Vegetables:

  • 1 large red onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat a grill to medium-high. While the grill heats, make the burgers by placing the ground turkey, turkey sausage, bread crumbs, basil, oregano, fennel, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a large mixing bowl.
  • Gently mix with your fingers. Make sure the ingredients are fairly evenly incorporated, but do not compact the meat.
  • Shape into 6 patties, then grill on medium high until the bottoms are browned (about 5 minutes).
  • Flip and continue grilling until cooked through; about 5 additional minutes. When the burgers are almost ready, top with mozzarella and Asiago cheeses.
  • Meanwhile, place the veggie slices in a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
  • Place in a grill basket and grill until softened and lightly charred, about 8 minutes, turning the veggies often so that they do not burn. Toast the buns as desired.
  • Serve burgers on the buns, topped with grilled veggies. Enjoy immediately. 

Notes

  • TO STORE: Leftover cooked turkey patties may be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Uncooked patties may be frozen on a baking sheet until firm, then transferred to a freezer-safe container for storage for up to 3 months. To cook, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then grill as directed. Cooked patties may be kept frozen for up to 3 months. 
  • TO REHEAT: If frozen, defrost cooked turkey burger patties in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet, covered, with a little extra water to help the burgers stay moist.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6) burgersCalories: 690kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 53gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 152mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1449IUVitamin C: 66mgCalcium: 750mgIron: 11mg

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

Related Recipes

Light up the grill and break out the checkered tablecloths. Here are more tasty grilling recipes:

Did you try this recipe?

I want to see!

Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

You May Also Like

Free Email Series
Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans
Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!

Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Leave a Comment

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





16 Comments

Leave a comment

    1. Cathy, that is so great to hear! I’m glad that you enjoyed them and find them worthy of a repeat. Thanks so much for taking time to leave your review. I really appreciate it!

  1. I just made these for dinner tonight and they’re delicious. I must have made my patties small because I got eight out of this recipe and froze the extras for later. Thank you for posting this. :)5 stars

    1. Erin, I’m so glad to hear this!!! And we did make our burgers pretty massive, so I’m sure that’s what caused the different yield. At any rate, enjoy the leftovers (they freeze beautifully) and thank you so much for taking time to leave your review!

  2. These were AWESOME. Mixed turkey breast and chicken sausages because Trader Joe’s didn’t have turkey sausages, but still an awesome delish combo (used the Vino & Formaggio sausages – wish i would have looked at the fat content, because they are not super light, but were super good). We did top with a little marinara – they smelled like pizza when I took them off the grill. Fun Sunday night grilling!5 stars

  3. These are very tasty burgers!  A half recipe made four, nice-sized burgers for my family.  I used provolone cheese and served the burgers on homemade Italian rolls.  I have made these burgers twice already and will be making them again.  Thanks very much!  5 stars

    1. Jocelyn, I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and taking time to share your review. It really means a lot!

  4. Was planning on making this for dinner but it’s a torrential downpour (ah!) – any suggestions on how to cook on the stovetop?

  5. These are outstanding! I didn’t have panko so I crushed poppy water crackers. My husband loved them! A winner5 stars

  6. Absolutely delicious! I’m sharing the recipe with my sister right now! Will definitely make again!!5 stars