Pesto Mozzarella Turkey Burgers

5 from 3 votes

Pesto Mozzarella Turkey Burgers

These turkey burgers are filled with Italian flavors like pesto mayonnaise, sun-dried tomato, and fresh mozzarella cheese. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because the burger patties cook on the grill in under 10 minutes.

Prep Time35

Cook Time10

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: burgers

Calories: 610kcal

Author: Jessica Mode

Ingredients

For the Pesto Mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon pesto
1 lemon juiced
2 cloves garlic finely minced
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Turkey Burgers

36 ounces ground turkey (85% lean, 15% fat)
½ medium onion finely diced
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped into small bite-sized pieces
½ cup pesto
4 cloves garlic finely minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
8 ciabatta rolls
tomato, for serving
romaine lettuce, for serving

Instructions

For the Pesto Mayonnaise

To a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, pesto, lemon, garlic, and salt. Stir until combined. Allow mayonnaise mixture to sit in the refrigerator until burgers are ready to serve.

For the Turkey Burgers

Preheat a gas grill to high heat (450°F - 500°F).
To a medium bowl, combine ground turkey, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Using your hands, mix until fully combined.
Divide the turkey mixture into eight patties about 6-ounces each. Using your thumb, make a depression in the center of the patty to keep them from puffing up on the grill. Sprinkle each side of the patty with additional salt and pepper, as desired. Keep burgers cold in the refrigerator until ready to cook on the grill.
Cook burgers covered over direct heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last few minutes of cooking, add 1-2 slices of mozzarella to the top of the burgers. Cover the grill and allow the cheese to soften and melt.
To serve, toast a ciabatta roll. Top roll with a spread of pesto mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, and a burger patty.

Video

Notes

Store leftover burger patties in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Don't fuss around or flip the burgers too many times. Burgers, especially those made from ground turkey, can fall apart or crumble easily. Be patient, and don't mess with the burgers much (one flip, that's all you need).

Don't smash the burgers with a spatula. Keep all the juice inside so the burgers are nice and juicy!

Nutrition