Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Slaw: A Delicious and Healthy Grilling Recipe

Looking for a flavorful and healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers? This weekend, fire up the grill and try this quick and easy teriyaki turkey burger recipe. It’s not only delicious but also packed with nutrients!

Grilling season is synonymous with one thing: Burgers! But who says burgers have to be unhealthy?

At our house, we’ve been making burgers primarily with ground turkey for decades. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the classic burger experience with a lighter twist.

There’s a common misconception that turkey burgers are dry and less flavorful than beef burgers. We’re here to debunk that myth! With the right techniques, a turkey burger can be just as moist and juicy, if not more so.

The Secret to Moist and Juicy Turkey Burgers

The key to achieving the ultimate moist and juicy turkey burger lies in the sauce, quite literally! We incorporate teriyaki sauce (or teriyaki marinade) directly into the ground turkey before grilling. This infuses the meat with flavor and helps retain moisture throughout the cooking process.

Our absolute favorite marinade? Yoshida’s Teriyaki sauce. We’ve tried many over the years, and Yoshida’s consistently delivers the best balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Tips for Making the Best Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

• Choose the Right Ground Turkey: Opt for ground turkey that is 70-90% lean. A bit of fat content is crucial for preventing the burger from becoming dry.
• Don’t Over-Marinate: While teriyaki sauce is key, avoid soaking the burgers in it. Too much marinade can make the burgers mushy. A generous coating is all you need.
• Cheese Pairings: We’ve found that cheddar cheese slices complement these turkey burgers beautifully, but feel free to experiment! American cheese, Swiss cheese, or even Pepper Jack for a touch of heat are all great options.

Customizing Your Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

Like most burger recipes, this one is easily adaptable to your individual preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Pineapple Power: Can’t get enough pineapple? Add even more to the slaw or grill extra slices to top your burger.
• Colorful Crunch: For added visual appeal and texture, incorporate thinly sliced red cabbage into the slaw.
• Tangy Twist: A touch of thinly sliced red onion in the slaw adds a delightful tangy flavor.
• Ginger Adjustment: If you’re not a huge fan of ginger, reduce the amount slightly, but don’t omit it entirely. It plays a crucial role in the overall flavor profile.
• Meat Alternatives: Feel free to substitute ground beef or ground chicken for the ground turkey in this recipe. The teriyaki marinade works well with a variety of meats.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our post on the Ultimate Build-Your-Own Burger Bar for even more burger-building tips and ideas.

Wine Pairings for Teriyaki Turkey Burgers

The slightly sweet and savory flavors of these grilled turkey burgers pair wonderfully with a variety of wines. For a crisp and refreshing complement, try a Sauvignon Blanc. Alternatively, a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir can also be an excellent choice.

Serving Suggestions for Your Burgers

These teriyaki turkey burgers are a fantastic addition to any summer gathering. Serve them alongside other seasonal favorites, such as:

• Elote Dip
• Melon & Prosciutto Caprese Salad
• Grilled Asparagus in Foil
• Air Fryer Onion Rings
• Air Fryer Pineapple

More Summer Grilling Recipes to Try

Explore More Delicious Recipes:

• Thai Beef Noodle Salad
• Easy, Vegetarian Pesto Beans
• Strawberry Peach Smoothie
• Cherry Tomato and Pesto Pasta

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Slaw Recipe

Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Slaw

Rating: 5 from 1 vote

By: Marlynn Schotland

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 6 burgers

Put on a salty, sweet twist on your burgers with teriyaki marinade and pineapple slaw.

Ingredients

*For Teriyaki Turkey Burgers:*

• 1 pound lean ground turkey meat
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce/marinade
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sliced cheese (cheddar recommended)
• Pineapple slices (1 for each burger), cut to about 1/2 inch thick and cored

*For Pineapple Asian Slaw:*

• ½ small head of cabbage, finely sliced
• 2 large carrots, shredded or finely sliced (julienned)
• ½ cup chopped pineapple, chop them into itty bitty cubes
• ¾ cup light mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon stone ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To Make the Teriyaki Turkey Burgers:

1. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients from the ground turkey meat to the breadcrumbs, until well blended. Be sure to break up the minced garlic and ginger so that you and your guests don’t get big chunks of garlic or ginger in one bite.
2. Form into burger patties. Add salt and pepper. We usually get 6-8 burgers out of 1 pound of ground turkey meat. Place the burgers in the refrigerator while you prep the grill.
3. Fire up your grill. The best burgers are cooked on high heat.
4. Grill these beautiful burgers on one side for about 5 minutes. Flip them over, add a slice of cheese, and grill for another 3-4 minutes. Do not get too crazy and flip these over more than once.
5. Place the pineapple slices on the grill and grill for the remaining 3-4 minutes that your burger is cooking. Flip each slice over once, halfway through.
6. Remove burgers and pineapple from the grill and allow burgers to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with a slice of grilled pineapple, then a serving of the Pineapple Asian Slaw (recipe below)

To make the Pineapple Slaw:

1. Mix the mayo, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, and ground ginger in a large bowl until well blended.
2. Add the cabbage, carrots and pineapple to the bowl and mix well, until cabbage, carrots, and pineapple are well coated.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

For the best turkey burgers, use ground turkey that is 70-90% lean. You want some fat content in the meat in order to keep the burgers from drying out.

Placing the formed burgers in the refrigerator before grilling helps the burgers hold their shape while cooking on the grill, and also allows the yummy teriyaki sauce to moisten up the burger.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 2212mg, Potassium: 515mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 3581IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.