Even if you traditionally are not a fan of turkey burgers or ground turkey in general, I promise you will love these Avocado Turkey Burgers!
Turkey burgers get a bad rep and, honestly, that is for good reason. They are typically dry, lack flavor, and just are not exciting at all compared to traditional beef burgers. I agree, trust me. I’ve always been an anti-turkey burger girl myself — until now!
I’ve finally mastered the perfect turkey burger. The trick? Adding a little dollop of mayo into the mixture. The mayo adds an extra layer of fat that is needed to keep the burgers moist and delicious — and never dry!!
For these Avocado Turkey Burgers, I’ve also layered in some delicious spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano that pair so beautifully with the creamy avocado and pepper jack cheese. The flavor isn’t overwhelming, but just a subtle touch to really make these the best turkey burgers.
You can also keep this recipe low carb by simply serving these turkey burgers over a nice salad or sub in lettuce leaves for the bun. Or, keep it classic and serve in brioche buns as I did here with my favorite brioche buns from Whole Foods, so good!
Want more recipes using ground turkey that actually rock? Here are a few of my favorites!
Ginger and Peanut Butter Ground Turkey Stir-Fry
Turkey, Green Bean + Basil Stir Fry
Avocado Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp mayo
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 2-3 tbsp tapioca flour
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 avocado pitted and sliced
- 4 sliced pepper-jack cheese optional, if using
- 4 brioche buns for serving
- Your desired hamburger toppings for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey, mayo, salt, pepper, chili powder, dried oregano, cumin, and 2 tablespoons of tapioca flour. Using your hands, mix until the meat is just combined and the ingredients are evenly distributed. The meat should be a little ‘wet’ feeling compared to traditional beef patties; however, this helps keep the turkey meat from drying out. If your meat is too ‘wet’ to form into 4 equal-sized patties, add 1 additional tablespoon of tapioca to help bind the meat.
- When your patties are formed, heat the avocado oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. When hot, carefully place the patties into the oil and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
- Turn off the heat and place 2-3 slices of avocado on top of each patty. Then, place a slice of pepper jack cheese over the sliced avocado. Cover the skillet to allow the cheese to just melt, 3-4 more minutes.
- Serve on brioche buns with your favorite hamburger toppings! Alternatively, these patties are delicious served on top of a salad, or wrapped with lettuce leaves! Enjoy!
Food Photography and Styling by Modern Food Stories.
50 Comments
Andrea
August 16, 2022 at 1:40 amThese are delicious and quick to make! This is one of our go-to recipes and never disappoints.
Rebecca
June 3, 2022 at 7:35 pmLove these burgers!!!! They’re a staple in our house! Don’t even miss the beef! I’m curious— what fat content do you recommend/should I be using for this recipe? I got a higher fat lb of Turkey so thinking I need to omit the Mayo this time..
Alex
June 6, 2022 at 8:45 pmI usually always add mayo to turkey burgers, regardless!
Effie
May 4, 2022 at 11:40 pmI’ve made these a few times and they are divine! I’m currently sitting at working just day dreaming about eating them for dinner tonight. I will make these forever and ever. SO GOOD.
Alex
May 4, 2022 at 11:52 pmAw yay!! Thanks for leaving the comment and review!! and so glad you love.
Ashleigh
April 19, 2022 at 2:15 amDelicious! I used arrowroot instead of tapioca, worked great. The mixture didn’t feel too wet/drippy- will try on the grill next time!
Pam
September 7, 2021 at 8:55 pmMy husband wasn’t thrilled to have turkey burgers on Labor Day—until he bit into these! The little dab of mayo made all the difference, plus the wonderful spices. Will make again and again.
Melanie
April 7, 2022 at 8:22 pmMade these many times! Delicious!
Katie
September 6, 2021 at 7:48 pmCan you make the patties ahead and store in the fridge for the next day?
Melissa Walton
August 28, 2021 at 3:59 pmHello there, I’m going to be making this for dinner this week- could I sub regular gluten free flour or would breadcrumbs be a better option?
Alex
August 29, 2021 at 9:15 pmI think breadcrumbs would be best here! 🙂
Stephanie
August 19, 2021 at 2:08 amFabulous recipe! I used arrowroot instead of tapioca and it worked great. It was juicy even without the avocado. Highly recommend!
Sara
August 8, 2021 at 11:14 pmWhat the heck?! This was FABULOUS! I never liked turkey burgers before but these are amazing. And so easy! Going in the rotation… well done!
Erika
July 13, 2021 at 12:06 amThese were so, so good. I was exhausted today after work and these came together so easy. They were so flavorful and didn’t dry out even though I overlooked them a bit. Thanks for an awesome weeknight meal!
Allison
June 4, 2021 at 3:13 amI have made these 4 or 5 times since this recipe was posted and they are easily the best turkey burger i’ve ever had! they are SO good- full of flavor and moist- and SO easy to make! i get compliments about how good they are every time i make them! just made them again tonight and finally had to come back and leave a glowing review! also, i have made mine on the grill several times now and they’ve turned out perfect! i didn’t have any issues with them being too wet. great recipe, thank you, alex!
Alex
June 4, 2021 at 12:04 pmAllison- thank you for the glowing review!! xoxo so glad you like them!
Lauren
May 20, 2021 at 5:14 amSo easy, flavorful, and juicy! I love this recipe and will be sending it to all of my family and friends.
My husband and I toasted some brioche buns in butter before putting the patty on them and it was fabulous. I would give this more than 5 stars if I could!
KatinKY
May 18, 2021 at 10:58 pmThese are the best turkey burgers I’ve ever made! So flavorful and the opposite of dry….trying not to use the word “moist” but that’s what these are 😉
Alex
May 19, 2021 at 12:19 pmhaha, it’s a great word when describing foods!
Hayley Harper
April 7, 2022 at 7:55 pmThe only Turkey burgers my husband looks forward to!
Laura
May 16, 2021 at 11:29 pmI made these for the first time tonight and it was so good! Usually not a ground turkey fan but this was excellent!
Lisa
May 13, 2021 at 10:49 pmThese are delicious/ so flavorful and moist. I didn’t have any mayo so subbed with ranch- they turned out perfectly.
Margaret
May 13, 2021 at 6:33 pmThese are delicious! I have made them twice now and plan to make them again tonight due to family request! I did use regular flour (1 tsp) in place of tapioca flour (did not see comment about breadcrumbs) and they turned out great, did not fall apart. Also used half turkey, half pork because that’s what I had on hand. Can’t wait to have them again!
Hannah
May 5, 2021 at 1:35 amEasily the best turkey burger I’ve ever had! The spices gave it an interesting (in a good way!) twist compared to a regular burger and the Mayo kept it moist! Winner for sure….and so easy!
Shannon
May 3, 2021 at 5:53 pmThese were amazing! Most turkey burgers I have made dry up and fall apart, but these were moist and delicious. They are very sticky when forming the patties, but they cook perfectly. They were so easy to make and will definitely be my go-to turkey burgers now.
Alex
May 3, 2021 at 6:31 pmyay!!!
David
May 3, 2021 at 2:04 pmWe made this last night and we’re, well, blown away. Everyone, described it as “the best burger they’ve ever had.” I bought more ground turkey right away to do this again. I think it will be in the rotation forever. Amazing,
Alex
May 3, 2021 at 3:21 pmWow!!! That makes me so happy to hear!!
Mary
April 28, 2021 at 1:46 pmMade these last night. They were so tasty!
Claire
April 27, 2021 at 12:20 amThese are delicious! Don’t sleep on this turkey burger. My beef burger loving husband and my two year old devoured them. So flavorful and juicy. Definitely making again!
Erin
April 26, 2021 at 3:29 pmAbsolutely perfect! Juicy and flavorful. Even my incredibly picky 6 year old loved them! Thank you, Alex!!
Alex
April 26, 2021 at 5:17 pmyay!!
Alex Stroud
April 19, 2021 at 9:44 pmCan you use regular flour?
Jenna
April 19, 2021 at 5:45 pmCan these be made on the grill or will they be too drippy/wet?
Alex
April 19, 2021 at 8:44 pmtoo drippy/wet!
Robyn
April 19, 2021 at 5:37 pmCan you sub something other than mayo for this?
Alex
April 19, 2021 at 8:44 pmNot that i’ve tried! it’s really what keeps them moist!
Jennie
April 20, 2021 at 11:46 amWould ground chicken work in this recipe?
Alex
April 20, 2021 at 12:10 pmyes, it should work similarly to ground turkey
Johanna
May 10, 2021 at 6:56 pmWould vegan mayo work in place of regular?
Alex
May 10, 2021 at 9:26 pmdefinitely!
Amanda
April 18, 2021 at 9:52 pmThese sound great. Quick question…what does the tapioca flour do?
Caitlin
April 19, 2021 at 4:44 pmIt looks like it’s used as a binder.
Alex
April 19, 2021 at 5:25 pmyes, exactly! it is a binder.
Carlie
April 19, 2021 at 6:18 pmAny substitute suggestions if you don’t have tapioca flour?
Alex
April 20, 2021 at 12:11 pmarrowroot or cassava would be my next picks. Then last, plain breadcrumbs.
Brynne
April 23, 2021 at 3:44 pmHey Alex!! Would regular flour work?
Alex
April 23, 2021 at 4:46 pmplain breadcrumbs would be a better option!
Christina
June 22, 2022 at 4:02 pmThese burgers did not disappoint! My husband usually does not like ground turkey anything but he loved these!
Andrea K Tettleton
May 19, 2021 at 8:34 pmI just made these on Tuesday using arrowroot because I didn’t have tapioca on hand, and it worked just fine! They were absolutely delicious!