Preparing the Ground Turkey Burger Mixture
For smoked turkey burgers, since ground turkey does not have much taste on its own, you really want to add a lot favor to the ground turkey burger mixture before forming your burger patties.
You will need the following ingredients to make FOUR Smoked Turkey Burgers:
Heat 1 Tbsp of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and saute for about 5 minutes.
Then add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute longer, stirring constantly so that the garlic does not burn.
Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the onion and garlic to a large mixing bowl and allow them to cool.
Once slightly cooled, add the salt, pepper, parsley, sage, thyme, and remaining 1 Tbsp of olive oil to the bowl containing the onion and garlic and stir to mix completely.
Then add the ground turkey. Mix well to blend.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form into patties.
Put the patties on a plate and cover in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours before smoking.
This will help them keep their shape when handling later and first putting them on the grill or smoker.
Best Wood Choices for Smoked Turkey Burgers
Poultry, like fish, absorbs smoke very quickly and a little goes a long way.
The best woods for smoking turkey burgers include the fruitwoods like apple, cherry, and peach, but also the milder smoking woods like pecan, oak and alder.
However, since we are not smoking our turkey burgers for an exceptionally long period of time, you can get away with a more aggressive smoke flavor if you wish.
Mesquite will give you a strong unique flavor and hickory, while still distinctive, will not be quite as strong.
If you want to keep it simple and straightforward, choose a lighter smoking wood like oak, apple, or peach.
For the best results, if you are using a pellet grill or pellet tube smoker, store your unused pellets in a sealed room temperature container like rather than in the hopper outside.
Pellets do not last forever, but will definitely last a LOT longer if stored indoors in a quality, airtight container.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke Turkey Burgers?
At 325°F, the smoked turkey burgers will take about 30 minutes to reach 130°F internal temperature.
This is NOT when they are done!
You certainly CAN leave them on the grill or smoker for another 20-30 minutes beyond until they finish smoking and reach a safe 165°F internal temperature.
However, this is the point where we liked to move them over from MEDIUM INDIRECT HEAT to HIGH DIRECT HEAT to get seared to finish.
You get the best of both worlds by adding some smokey flavor in the beginning, but we like the way the smoked turkey burgers taste (and look) after getting seared at the end
You can do this over a hot gas burner, some hot charcoal, in a hot cast iron pan, or if using a pellet grill, which we will discuss below.
FAQ
How do you cook turkey burgers on a pit boss pellet grill?
What temperature do you cook burgers on pit boss pellet grill?
What temp should I smoke turkey burgers?
How long does it take to smoke a turkey burger?
