The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Smoked Turkey Burgers are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers, with a rich smoky flavor. Perfect for summer grilling, these burgers are easy to make and can be customized with various toppings to suit your taste.
It costs approximately $11.56 to make these turkey burgers. The recipe makes six servings for about $1.93 per serving.
Like any burger, smoked turkey burgers need some delicious sides to go with them! Our favorites to make with these burgers include baked beans, corn on the cob, grilled peaches, and seven-layer salad.
Turkey Burgers
This easy-to-make smoked turkey burgers recipe is done in over an hour and makes a filling main course for a picnic or BBQ! Then, top them with all your favorite burger fixings like pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard, cheese, and more.
Smoked turkey burgers are leaner than smoked beef burgers but no less impressive in the smoker. They also taste about the same for those with picky eaters! So if you’re looking for another Traeger special to serve up when the weather’s warm, these burgers are definitely for you.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 2 pounds ground turkey – $7.64
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – $0.05
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.04
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon paprika – $0.02
- 6 hamburger buns – $3.79
You’ll also want your favorite condiments and toppings, of course!
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in May 2023.
How To Make Smoked Burgers
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
We use a wood pellet grill for most of this process. This recipe assumes you have a Traeger smoker/grill. If you’re genuinely unsure, stick with the Traeger signature blend!
- Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Season the ground turkey and form it into ⅓ lb. patties.
- Prepare your smoker for 250°F and preheat for 15 minutes.
- Place the burgers directly onto the grates and cook for about an hour (look for an internal temperature of 165°F).
- Remove them from the smoker and allow them to rest while you prepare any toppings for your burgers.
- Build your burgers using your preferred choices of condiments, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Mediterranean Twist: Mix in chopped Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and dried oregano into the ground turkey for a Greek-inspired flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers to the turkey mixture for a spicy twist.
- Mushroom Lovers: Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and thyme can be mixed into the turkey patties for an earthy flavor.
- Asian Fusion: Incorporate soy sauce, grated ginger, and chopped scallions into the turkey mixture for an Asian-inspired twist.
- Cheese Lover’s: Place a slice of your favorite cheese (such as cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack) on top of the burger during the last 10 minutes of smoking for a gooey, melty addition.
- Pesto Paradise: Spread a spoonful of basil pesto on the burger bun for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free hamburger buns.
- Veggie Boost: Add grated zucchini, carrots, or spinach to the turkey mixture for added moisture and nutritional value. Plus, it’ll make the meat go further!
- BBQ Fusion: Baste the burgers with barbecue sauce during grilling for a tangy and sweet flavor combination.
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve the smoked turkey patties wrapped in large lettuce leaves instead of traditional buns for a low-carb option.
Storage Tips
SERVE: As stated, after you remove the burgers from the smoker, you’ll want to let your burgers rest for a few minutes (about 5) while you prep your toppings.
STORE: Smoked turkey burgers will keep fresh for three days in the fridge.
FREEZE: If you use a proper freezer bag, your smoked turkey burgers will remain fresh for about two months while frozen.
REHEAT: Use a skillet or microwave to reheat your smoked turkey burgers. Be sure to thaw burgers overnight in the fridge if necessary.
Recipe FAQs
A little more than an hour. You’ll want to put aside about an hour to smoke the burgers and 10 minutes to prep them. Letting them rest after removing the meat from the smoker will also take a few extra minutes.
We get ground turkey that’s at least 85% lean and 15% fat and wouldn’t go any leaner than that. So if you go 90:10 or 95:5, you’ll end up with dry burgers.
This happens a lot! Wipe the grates down with cooking oil before grilling/smoking the burgers. Remembering to preheat the Traeger first also helps.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Teach your littlest cooks the names of various small utensils and tools as they grab them for you!
Ages 4-5: At this age, your kids will enjoy mixing all the seasonings in a small bowl. They can also help you place the finished patties on burger buns and add toppings.
Ages 6-8: Have this group prepare and season the patties. The older kids may even be able to check the temperature of the meat on the grill (or at least observe you doing it).
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the recipe and show them how to use the grill/smoker. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
- Buy ground turkey in bulk: You can save money by buying it in larger quantities, as it is often cheaper per pound. Look for sales or deals at your local grocery store and stock up.
- Use pantry staples for seasoning: You don’t need expensive seasoning blends to flavor your turkey burgers.
- Freeze the leftovers: If you have leftover turkey burgers, freeze them for later. They make a quick and easy meal when you’re short on time or budget.
- Add veggies to bulk up the burgers: Adding grated vegetables such as zucchini or carrots to your turkey burger mixture can help stretch your meat budget while adding extra nutrition to your meal!
More Smoked Recipes
Smoked Turkey Burgers
Recipe Cost 11.56 Serving Cost 1.93Equipment
- Smoker Grill
- Measuring spoons
- small bowl
- mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 6 hamburger buns
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
- sliced cheese
- sliced tomatoes
- sliced onions
- lettuce
- ketchup
- mustard
- mayonnaise
Instructions
SEASON AND FORM PATTIES:
- Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl.
- Season the ground turkey and form into ⅓ lb. patties.
PREP SMOKER:
- Prepare your smoker for 250°F and preheat for 15 minutes.
SMOKE BURGERS:
- Place the burgers directly onto the grates and cook for about an hour until they have an internal temperature of 165°F.
TO FINISH:
- Remove them from the smoker and allow them to rest while you prepare any toppings for your burgers.
- Build your burgers using your preferred choice of condiments and toppings.
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