Orchard Turkey Burgers are the perfect burger recipe for fall. Spiked with grated apple, they're super juicy and anything but boring!
Not only was our last Farmer’s Market blissfully uncrowded, but a cool breeze and grey skies gave us a cozy preview of fall without having to actually go there. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet!
I can’t say I wouldn’t have shrieked a little if I saw a precious pumpkin or gourd display, and I totally did a happy dance after spying some apple barrels that definitely weren’t there the last time we visited the market.
Apple picking is one of my all-time favorite fall activities, and the reminder that a U-pick trip can’t be more than a few weeks away inspired me to whip up a healthy, flavor-packed meal of Orchard Turkey Burgers!
Orchard Turkey Burgers with Brie & Caramelized Onions
Bunless turkey burgers spiked with juicy grated apple are sauted then topped with melty brie cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and tangy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. Served over mixed greens with sliced apples, it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant.
Cheese and apples are such a dream team and when you add caramelized onions into the mix it’s a total game changer. Turkey burgers have never tasted better!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by caramelizing the onions that will sit atop the turkey burgers. You’ll need 1 jumbo sweet onion, or 2 large ones, for 4 burgers. Trim off the ends, cut the onion in half, discard the outer peel, then thinly slice each half.
Heat 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat then add the sliced onion. It’s important not to go above medium heat or the onions will sear instead of caramelize.
Season with salt and pepper then let them slowly cook, stirring every now and again, until the onions are sticky and caramelized. The whole process will take 20-25 minutes.
While the onions are working, get to work on the burger part of the Orchard Turkey Burgers, starting with 1lb 99% Fat Free Ground Turkey Breast.
Ground turkey breast can be dry, bland, and boring, but we’re going to spice it up and make it extra juicy with a few mix ins.
First the spices:
- Dried thyme
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
Next add 1 grated Granny Smith Apple. Adding apples the ground turkey burgers makes them incredibly juice and moist!
Use a box or flat grater to finely grate the apple, one side at a time.
Add the grated apple to the ground turkey and spices then mix with your hands until just combined and divide the mixture into 4 sections. Form each section into a patty then brush both sides with extra virgin olive oil.
Slap the patties onto a large skillet or electric griddle over medium heat then cook for 4-5 minute a side, or until they’re no longer pink in the center.
Next, dollop brie on top of the burgers then cover the pan with a lid, or tent with foil, and let the cheese melt – it won’t take long.
Pile each burger high with caramelized onions then serve on a bed of spring mix lettuce lined with extra apple slices. Drizzle with honey mustard vinaigrette (directions in the recipe card below) then finish with a crack of black pepper.
I’m telling you, this will be the best turkey burger of your entire life — enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 jumbo sweet onion, cut in half then thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb 99% fat-free ground turkey breast
- 2 Granny Smith apples, 1 finely grated, 1 thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper
- 4 oz brie cheese
- 8 cups spring mix lettuce
For the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper
Directions
For the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:
- Add ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid, or in a bowl, then shake or whisk to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use — can be made up to a week ahead of time.
For the Caramelized Onions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, then cook, stirring every so often until onions are a rich caramel brown color and are sticky and caramelized, 20-25 minutes. Scoop into a bowl then set aside.
For the Orchard Turkey Burgers:
- Add ground turkey to a large mixing bowl with grated apple, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix until jut combined then form the mixture into 4 patties. Brush the patties with extra virgin olive oil.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high then add turkey burgers and cook for 4-5 minutes a side, or until no longer pink in the center. Top each burger with 1/4 of the brie then place a lid on top, or tent with foil, to melt.
- Divide lettuce among plates then top with apple slices, burgers, and caramelized onions. Drizzle with honey mustard vinaigrette and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Tried it! Awsome!! Husband impressed.
I am going to make these tonight! (Unfortunately minus the brie, because I have crazily committed myself to 30 days of only eating Paleo.) DO you have a good recipe for honey mustard vinagrette? The dressing on the salad in the pictures looks delish!
You can se equal parts honey and dijon, then white wine vinegar and olive oil to your taste. The ones on the internet have WAY to much oil to vinegar ratio for my liking. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Sorry, “use,” not “se.”
I would do some dijon mustard mixed with a little honey, some really good extra virgin olive oil, maybe some apple cider vinegar, and salt & pepper!
OMG. That looks amazing. You sure have a talent! Would love to try this if I could find Ground Turkey where I am from… definitely going on the to-make-list for when I return to ‘Merica! Thanks for the great idea!
These look amazing. I love turkey burgers and this is one I will be making asap! I made your crock pot spaghetti sauce and OMG bread last night for dinner. It was a hit with the whole family (love the onion hater tip for my picky son too!) plus plenty for leftovers tonight!!
Your pictures are absolutely awesome! :)
Maybe you should water in the dark! Less evaporation occurs and therefore your crops will get to keep more of that water. That’s why they’ve been advising us to water overnight due to the drought.
Unbelievably gorgeous and mouthwatering dish! :)
oh man, that burger looks awesome!!! Love the foil tent.
When ever I made carmelized onions it stinks up my whole house and the next day, my clothes have the smell on them. Does this ever happen to you? Any tips?
Eeek…my mouth is watering from that amazing looking Granny Smith! I bet the sweet taste of the apple and the saltiness of the cheese makes for a party in the mouth..lol. I will definitely need to make that this weekend.
These look amazing! Can’t wait to try them out-any suggestions on an alternative to brie cheese in the recipe…I know I am probably crazy, but I am not a big fan…the pics are making me drool right now :)
Fontina would be great, or cheddar!
This looks phenomenal! I also sometimes find the 99% lean a little dry. I have heard of adding blueberries to keep them moist, but the flavor profile of apple appeals to me more. Agreed about caramelized onions making everything taste better. That IS a fact.
Love turkey burgers! I never would have thought to add grated apple to the mix – how clever!