Asian Turkey Burgers

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These Asian Turkey Burgers with Sriracha Lime Yogurt Sauce are anything but boring and may be the best turkey burgers you have ever had. Plus they are healthy and low carb/Paleo friendly.

246 CAL 8g CARBS 13g FAT 25g PROTEIN
4 Comments

These Asian Turkey Burgers are wholesome, easy to make, and loaded with mouthwatering flavors. Paired with a zesty chili lime yogurt sauce, this recipe is guaranteed to make for a show-stopping meal. 

Made with garlic, ginger, cilantro, carrots, scallions, and jalapenos, these Asian Turkey Burgers have quickly become one of my favorite types of burgers. The chili lime yogurt sauce that we make to go along with it comes together in just a few minutes and is absolutely delicious.

I love finding creative new ways to make burgers that utilize my favorite aspects of cuisines from around the world and this Asian-inspired burger recipe is the perfect example of that. 

Now let's talk turkey burgers. I used to worry about turkey burgers being dry and tasteless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When done right, turkey burgers can be tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.

These Asian Turkey Burgers are juicy and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. I like to wrap mine in lettuce with a nice, big dollop of chili lime yogurt sauce for a healthy and delicious meal.

Serve them up at your next barbecue or make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week. I guarantee you’re going to love this healthy burger recipe! 

Turkey burgers with Asian flavors including garlic, ginger, and scallions grilled on a bun with sweet chili sauce.

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients you will need for this healthy burger recipe include: 

  • Ground turkey: I like to use 93% lean ground turkey in this dish. If you aren’t a big fan of turkey, you can use ground chicken instead.
  • Soy sauce: This adds salty umami flavors to the burgers. For a gluten-free alternative, you can swap it out for tamari.
  • Aromatics: For this recipe, we will be using ginger and garlic. You should opt for the fresh versions of both if possible, but if needed you can use the powder forms. 
  • Cilantro: Fresh minced cilantro adds a ton of fresh, vibrant flavor to the burgers.
  • Veggies: We use a combination of grated carrots and minced scallions to add texture and extra flavor. 
  • Jalapeno: I remove the seeds first so the burgers aren’t too spicy, but you can leave the seeds in if you prefer a more spicy dish. 

Serving and Substitution Tips

Here are some of my favorite serving styles and substitution tips for this dish:

  • If you want to use different vegetables, try minced white onions, zucchini, or broccoli.
  • If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, you can swap it out for Thai basil or simply leave it out altogether. 
  • If you want to try a different protein source, ground beef and chicken work great with this recipe as well. 
  • To lighten up this dish, you can serve burgers wrapped in butter lettuce instead of hamburger buns. 
  • For a gluten-free version, swap out the soy sauce for tamari and make sure to use gluten-free hamburger buns. 
  • If you don’t have the ingredients to make the chili lime yogurt sauce, try mixing together sriracha and mayonnaise for a quick and easy dipping sauce.
  • To make this dish dairy-free, you can use your favorite dairy-free yogurt alternative. You could also make it paleo by switching the yogurt out for paleo mayo.
  • If you wind up with leftovers, try slicing up the burgers and adding them to a salad or cutting them into smaller pieces and adding them to your eggs for a hearty breakfast. 

How to Store This Dish

Once the turkey burgers have cooled, you can store them in the fridge by transferring them to an airtight bag or container. They will keep like this for up to 4 days. If you want to freeze them, I recommend first laying them out on a baking sheet and then placing them in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. After you’ve done this, you can transfer them over to an airtight bag and freeze them for up to 2 months. 

If you have leftovers of the yogurt sauce that you want to save, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight bag or container for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing the sauce, as dairy products tend to curdle when frozen and won’t thaw well. 

What to Serve with Asian Turkey Burgers?

There are so many side dish options for these tasty burgers from traditional options like fries to unique salads and slaws. Here are some favorites:

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about this dish:

How should I cook the burgers?

My personal preference is to cook these burgers on the grill, as I’ve found that this cooking method yields the best flavors. However, you can also cook them on a skillet over the stove or in the oven. 

Can I use different veggies?

Absolutely. Most veggies will work in this recipe, as long as you mince or grate them so you don’t wind up with massive chunks in your burgers. If you want to switch out the carrots and scallions, I would recommend trying white onions, zucchini, or broccoli. 

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers of the burgers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can store leftovers of the yogurt sauce separately in the fridge for up to 5 days, but I don’t recommend freezing it. 

More Healthy Burger Recipes

Like this recipe? You’ll love these!

The Recipe
Asian turkey burgers with lettuce, tomato, and sweet chili yogurt sauce on two buns,

Asian Turkey Burgers

246 CAL 8g CARBS 13g FAT 25g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 10 Min
TOTAL TIME: 20 Min
4 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1/4 cup carrots, minced
  • 1/4 cup scallions, minced
  • 1/4 cup minced cilantro
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (adjust based on spice preferences)
  • 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (or Paleo mayo)
  • 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

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1

Combine the turkey, cilantro, ginger, garlic, carrots, scallions, soy sauce, and jalapeno if using in a bowl. Be careful not to overwork the meat or it will become tough.

2

In a small bowl combine the yogurt, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. If possible, make the yogurt sauce earlier in the day and store in the fridge to let the flavors combines.

3

Form the meat into four patties and brush with vegetable oil. Grill or cook in a skillet for about 5 minutes per side until cooked through. Serve with yogurt sauce.

Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 burger with 2 tbsp. sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 246
Calories from Fat 116
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g
20%
Saturated Fat 3g
15%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 84mg
28%
Sodium 562mg
24%
Total Carbohydrate 8g
2%
Dietary Fiber 1g
4%
Sugars 5g
Protein 25g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
4 Comments
On Asian Turkey Burgers
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Pam
September 19, 2021 - 06:04
Add a Rating:
5
I made these and they were soooo good!!! The I cooked them on the grill and the flavor was outstanding and the texture was perfect. For the sauce, I couldn’t find measurements for olive oil or garlic powder, I didn’t see them in the ingredients either. I added the olive oil to consistency and garlic powder to taste. Did I miss them somewhere, if so I apologize for the question.
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September 20, 2021 - 14:26
Thanks for letting me know! Just updated it!
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Pam
September 21, 2021 - 08:02
Thanks Kristen! We ate the leftovers yesterday and the flavors were even better. I appreciate you and your site, you are helping me stay on track for my weight loss goal.
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Leslie
August 11, 2021 - 15:22
Add a Rating:
5
So good! Love the yogurt sauce and all the spices in the burger.
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