Fire up the grill—these teriyaki turkey burgers are full of flavor and super easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a backyard barbecue. With grilling season in full swing, this is one of my favorite turkey burger recipes. It’s hard to believe the 4th of July is almost here; summer is flying by. There’s nothing better than a big, juicy burger while you relax outside.
Everyone loves these burgers—even my picky kids gobble them up. They’re a great change from traditional beef cheeseburgers. Since we’ve been remodeling our kitchen and have been using the grill non-stop, I’ve gained a new appreciation for how simple and versatile grilling can be. We’ve tried lots of burger combos, and these teriyaki turkey burgers with pineapple slaw are a standout.
The teriyaki adds a sweet and salty caramelized flavor that gives turkey patties more moisture and depth. I like using ground turkey as a leaner option, but feel free to use beef if you prefer.
Tips for Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
– Use a teriyaki sauce, not a marinade. You can make your own, but I often use a store-bought sauce for quick weeknight meals.
– For extra flavor, grill thick slices of red onion alongside the burgers. Grilling mellows the onion’s bite and adds a sweet, smoky taste.
– Divide the meat into 4–5 even patties about 1/2 inch thick. Press a small indentation in the center of each patty so they cook evenly and don’t puff up.
– Don’t skip the pineapple slaw—its crunch and sweetness complement the teriyaki perfectly. Fresh pineapple is best, but well-drained pineapple tidbits work in a pinch (they’ll make the slaw a bit wetter and it won’t keep as long).
– The slaw lasts 2–3 days in the fridge (best within 24 hours for peak crunch) and is delicious on fish tacos too.
– You can grill or pan-fry the burgers. Grilling adds more flavor, but pan-frying—especially in a cast-iron skillet—works great in cooler months. Toast the buns on the top rack of the grill for the last few minutes for the perfect finish.
Grilled Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Slaw
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 burgers
Ingredients
Teriyaki Turkey Burgers
– 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
– 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (not a marinade), plus a few tablespoons reserved
– 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
– 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
– Sautéed onion slices
– Hamburger buns (Hawaiian buns work great)
Pineapple Slaw
– 12 ounces broccoli slaw
– 1/2 cup chopped pineapple (fresh preferred; drain tidbits well if using)
– 1/3 cup Miracle Whip or mayo
– 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
– 1/4 cup chopped green onions
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Teriyaki Burgers
1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Mix the turkey, teriyaki sauce, garlic, and panko together until combined.
3. Form into 4–5 patties about 1/2 inch thick, pressing a small indentation in the center of each.
4. Grill over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side. Brush with reserved teriyaki sauce for the last 1–2 minutes.
5. Top with pineapple slaw and sautéed onions.
Pineapple Slaw
1. Combine all slaw ingredients and mix well.
2. Keep chilled in the refrigerator and eat within 2 days.
If you try these teriyaki burgers, I’d love to hear what you think!
On another note, did you see the update on my blog? I’m excited to be a paid early tester for Google’s Thank with Google pilot program. It’s an experimental feature that lets readers buy a virtual sticker to show appreciation for content. There are paid stickers and free stickers, and you can add a short message with a paid sticker. The revenue helps support the blog and the work that goes into creating content.
You can find the Thank with Google feature in several places on my site—if you try it, please tell me what you think. Thank you for your support!