Kick off summer with these easy and healthy Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers! Full of lean protein, sneaky veggies and a whole lotta flavor, these burgers are sure to be loved by all. They’re made with just a handful of simple ingredients, and can be on the table in 20 minutes flat!
I have a rocky history with turkey burgers, and ground turkey in general, to be honest. Picture this: it’s 2016 and you’re counting macros and only buying 99% lean ground turkey because it’s high in protein and low in fat. Ummm….wtf was wrong with me?? Once I switched over to 93% lean ground turkey and actually added in flavorful ingredients, I realized it can truly be delicious (and not dry!)
Now that we’ve made amends, I love incorporating ground turkey into my recipes for an easy, low-maintenance and healthy protein source. And, what’s summer without a turkey burger recipe!? These spinach and feta turkey burgers are sure to be on repeat at my house (and hopefully yours) because they’re flavorful, sneak in a bunch of veggies, and come together in just 20 minutes flat.
Why You’ll Love these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
- They’re quick and easy to make!
- You won’t even be able to tell there’s a bunch of sneaky veggies in there!
- They are a great source of lean protein.
- You can meal prep them for an easy and healthy lunch option.
- This recipe is made with a handful of simple ingredients.
What You Need to Make these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
- Ground Turkey: I like to use 93% lean (AKA the dark meat) to prevent these turkey burgers from being too dry. Feel free to substitute a similar leanness of ground chicken!
- Spinach: Sneaky veggies that you can’t even taste! Finely chop up some fresh spinach and then measure out 1 cup worth.
- Feta: Crumbled feta adds a salty flavor and some healthy fats to these turkey burgers. For my dairy free friends, you could try substituting a vegan feta.
- Red Onion: Technically any type of onion will work (red or yellow).
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic, always.
- Italian Seasoning, Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: The italian seasoning adds some nice herby flavor to these turkey burgers and really takes them to the next level.
- Avocado Oil: These spinach and feta turkey burgers are pan-seared on the stovetop in a high-smoke-point oil, such as avocado oil.
How To Make these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
Combine the Spinach and Feta Turkey Mixture:
First, add all of the spinach and feta turkey burger ingredients (except for avocado oil) to a large bowl and use your hands to mix until just incorporated – try not to overmix or you’ll end up with tough burgers.
Form them into Burgers:
Next, portion the ground turkey mixture into 4-5 burgers. They will shrink and “dome” up a bit when cooking, so make them even thinner than you want them to end up.
Pan-Sear the Turkey Burgers:
Then, bring a large pan (I like using cast-iron) to medium-high heat. Once hot, add avocado oil. Then, add spinach and feta turkey burgers. Let cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. If they seem to be cooking too fast on the outside, reduce the burner to medium. Serve with a simple side salad & roasted sweet potato! Enjoy 🙂
Can I Grill these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers Instead?
Grilling is a bit out of my wheelhouse so I usually stick to pan-searing these turkey burgers. However, if you’re braver than me, this recipe should certainly work for the grill too! Just make sure to preheat your grill to 400F and use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey burgers reach an internal temp of 165F. If you want to achieve those iconic grill marks without a grill, you can also use a grill pan.
Can I Make these with Ground Chicken?
Yes, of course! To ensure they aren’t too dry, I would recommend buying 92% lean ground chicken. Otherwise, you can follow the normal instructions as listed.
No matter whether you’re using ground chicken or ground turkey, you may notice that certain brands perform differently than others. For example, I tested these twice – once using Koch’s brand and the other with Shady Brook Farms brand. The latter was a little “wetter” so I had to carefully flip them, but they ended up tasting a lot moister!
What Should I Serve with these Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers?
The options are endless! You can go the traditional route and serve these spinach and feta turkey burgers on a bun, with all the classic fix-ins like lettuce, tomato, etc. However, I skip the bun and instead enjoy them alongside some roasted or air fried sweet potato and a simple side salad.
For the sweet potato, first scrub it clean and then cut it into fry shapes. If you have time, feel free to soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to help them get extra crispy. Then, drain off the water and dry them super well before adding to an air fryer tray or basket, spraying with a bit of avocado oil and seasoning with salt. Toss to coat, then spread out evenly so there’s no overlap (you may have to do several batches). Finally, air fry at 425F for about 12-15 minutes or until tender and golden on the outside.
The side salad is simple – just some lettuce (something crunchy like romaine or butter lettuce), leftover feta, and a lemon vinaigrette. You can find my go-to lemon vinaigrette recipe in this blog post.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
These Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers would be perfect as a meal prep lunch option because they taste great even after several days of sitting in the fridge! Simply allow them to cool before transferring to an airtight container, and storing in the fridge for up to 4 days. I recommend re-heating in the microwave.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Ground Turkey Recipes?
- High-Protein Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake
- Healthy Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- The BEST Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet
- High-Protein Stuffed Shells
Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
Equipment
- large pan
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach (measured after chopping)
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except for avocado oil) to a large bowl and use your hands to mix until just incorporated – try not to overmix or you'll end up with tough burgers.1 lb ground turkey, 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach, ⅓ cup crumbled feta, ¼ cup diced red onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Portion the ground turkey mixture into 4-5 burgers. They will shrink and "dome" up a bit when cooking, so make them even thinner than you want them to end up.
- Bring a large pan (I like using cast-iron for this) to medium-high heat. Once hot, add avocado oil. Then, add spinach and feta turkey burgers. Let cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. If they seem to be cooking too fast on the outside, reduce the burner to medium.1 tbsp avocado oil
- Serve with a simple side salad & roasted sweet potato! Enjoy 🙂
Video
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.
Delicious
Thanks Ashley!
I’ve tried this recipe twice now! Tonight I made it with chopped sun dried tomato and roll them into meatballs – added a nice tang. Chefs kiss!
Oh I love that…a versatile recipe hehe! Thanks Emilie 🙂
Made these tonight and they were delish! Thank you!
Thank you so much Jessica!