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.
We had these amazing turkey burgers tonight. I recommend them highly! Outstanding recipe. Truly a gourmet burger. Even if you are not a big turkey fan, you must try these! My husband thought I had made a veggie burger at first and was not anticipating something of this quality. He “gobbled” his right up! (Pun intended.) Thank you so much.
I just made these (I know a little late for the party) but these are so good! Definitely my new favorite turkey burger, the caramelized onions and brie made it. Thanks for another amazing recipe.
I found this recipe last night and had everything but the apples,brie and salad. Bought it last night and had this for lunch. These are going to be my go to burger from now on. They were phenomenal! Super moist and flavorful. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I’ll be making these often.
I had this pinned since the moment you posted it, but haven’t gotten around to trying it. I just made this the other day, and I had to come back to say THANK YOU! It was absolutely amazing…and healthy no less!
I was so excited to try this recipe for supper tonight! Unfortunately my burgers were not burgers in the end :( Do you have any suggestions for keeping them together?
Hmmm, I’m not sure! Maybe your turkey was too “wet”? I’ve noticed that some packages are have more moisture than others. If that’s the case I would add a bit more bead crumbs.
Pinning! As a turkey farmer, I’m always looking for new ways to cook it!
Katie
I made these last night and loved them! I will definitely be making them again. Thank you! :)
I just made these for the second time last night, and I’m having them for breakfast this morning.
Your recipes are always so on and easy to prepare, so thanks, Kristin!
One tiny change I made that works brilliantly: using a wild mushroom brie. It worked so well with the apples and onions.
Holy cow! You nailed it on these turkey burgers! I made a turkey burger over a year ago, it flopped miserably, so I never revisited them…until now. The apple/turkey/cheese combo reminded me of a melt sandwich I ate in college called a Turkey Apple Vermontster with turkey, apples, and Vermont cheddar cheese – delish! So, since I didn’t have brie on hand, I subbed some good cheddar instead. Wonderful!!!
I made these last night and they were FANTASTIC! I followed the recipe to the T and made my own light version of the honey mustard vinaigrette. These were so flippin’ good. I was glad to have leftovers for lunch today. Great recipe! Figured I would give credit where credit was due! I usually make up my own recipes but this seemed too perfect to alter in any way. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed them!!
I just found your blog and made this last night as i had all the ingredients in the house. MAN O MAN… This is the best darn tasting turkey burger ever. Of course i added things such as fresh garlic, garlic juice and tad bit of parmesan cheese mixed in with the meat. I had left overs and it tast so much more amazing the next day. I’m def stalking this site. I will never make turkey burgers any other way.
These were deeeelish! Turkey mince is not easy to find in Australia, but got it and it was worth it. Great combo of all elements. Thanks for the recipe!
I made this for dinner tonight, with homemade HM vinaigrette and regular 85/15 ground turkey, b/c it’s what I had in the freezer. Hubby said it was a keeper! I bought the best brie they had at Trader Joe’s, and it made a really healthy meal seem super decadent. I always pin the stuff I make on Pinterest so I can pass along your ideas. Keep the inspiration coming!
MN girl, ISU alum, Ohio resident