These juicy, flavorful turkey burgers are infused with a blend of curry spices, jalapeño heat, and fresh cilantro, then topped with a zesty slaw and a mouthwatering curry tahini sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, BBQs, or anytime you’re craving a unique, healthy burger.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe takes traditional turkey burgers to a whole new level with vibrant flavors from jalapeño, curry powder, and turmeric. The homemade slaw and curry tahini sauce add refreshing crunch and creamy, spicy goodness. They’re a great healthy option without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

For the Turkey Burgers:

Ground turkey (preferably 94% lean)
1 diced jalapeño
Chopped cilantro
Coconut sugar
Ground turmeric
Ground cumin
Yellow curry powder
Salt & pepper

For the Curry Tahini Sauce:

Tahini
Fresh lemon juice
Garlic
Pure maple syrup
Yellow curry powder
Fresh ginger
Turmeric
Cayenne pepper
Salt & pepper

For the Slaw:

Shredded carrots
Cabbage (red or green)
Green onions
Apple cider vinegar
Toasted sesame oil
Maple syrup
Salt & pepper

For Serving:

Burger buns (gluten-free if needed)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Make the Burgers: In a large bowl, mix ground turkey with diced jalapeño, cilantro, coconut sugar, turmeric, cumin, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Form into patties.
Cook the Burgers: Grill the patties on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side or cook on the stove with a little oil until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Prepare the Slaw: In a separate bowl, mix shredded carrots, cabbage, green onion, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, and season with salt and pepper.
Make the Curry Tahini Sauce: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, curry powder, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and seasoning until smooth.
Assemble: Serve the burgers on buns, topped with slaw and curry tahini sauce.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free buns or serve the burgers in lettuce wraps.
Dairy-Free: The recipe is already dairy-free with the use of tahini.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Keep leftover burgers and slaw in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze the cooked patties for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I make these burgers with ground chicken?

Yes, ground chicken can be used instead of turkey in this recipe.

2. How do I prevent the turkey burgers from drying out?

Use 93-94% lean turkey and avoid using leaner meat, which can dry out. Adding shredded zucchini can also help keep them moist.

3. Can I make the curry tahini sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

4. How do I know when the burgers are fully cooked?

The burgers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check.

5. Can I use a different kind of slaw?

You can substitute the cabbage with other crunchy vegetables like napa cabbage or even julienned bell peppers.

6. Can I skip the slaw?

Yes, if you prefer, you can serve the burgers with just the curry tahini sauce or add other toppings like avocado or pickled onions.

7. How spicy are these burgers?

The heat from the jalapeño and curry powder can be adjusted based on your spice tolerance. For milder burgers, remove the seeds from the jalapeño.

8. How can I make these burgers more flavorful?

Ensure you’re seasoning the turkey mixture generously and consider adding a touch more curry powder or a dash of hot sauce to the patties.

9. Can I make these on the stove instead of the grill?

Yes, simply cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil until they are browned and cooked through.

10. Can I freeze the uncooked patties?

Yes, you can freeze the uncooked patties. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer bag.

Conclusion

These Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers are a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional turkey burgers. With their combination of spicy heat, fragrant curry, and creamy tahini sauce, they make for a delicious meal any time of the week. Whether served on buns, in lettuce wraps, or over a bowl of rice, they’re sure to impress!

Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers

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Author: Paula
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 burgers
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers are packed with vibrant flavors from curry spices, jalapeño heat, and fresh cilantro. Topped with a zesty slaw and a creamy curry tahini sauce, these burgers are a healthy, mouthwatering option for weeknight dinners or BBQs. Perfectly spiced, juicy, and bursting with flavor, they’ll become your new go-to burger recipe.

Instructions

Make the Burgers:
In a large bowl, combine ground turkey with diced jalapeño, cilantro, coconut sugar, turmeric, cumin, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form the mixture into 4 patties.

Cook the Burgers:
Grill the patties over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, or cook in a skillet with a little oil until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Set aside.

Prepare the Slaw:
In a separate bowl, combine shredded carrots, cabbage, green onions, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

Make the Curry Tahini Sauce:
Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, curry powder, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and salt and pepper until smooth.

Assemble:
Serve the turkey patties on buns (or lettuce wraps for gluten-free), topping them with slaw and curry tahini sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free buns or serve the burgers in lettuce wraps.

Dairy-Free: The recipe is naturally dairy-free with tahini as the base for the sauce.

Spice Level: Adjust the heat by removing the seeds from the jalapeño or adding more cayenne for extra spice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Burger
Method: Grilling, Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Fusion