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These grilled Greek turkey burgers studded with feta cheese and red onion and dressed with tzatziki sauce are extremely flavorful and juicy!

Not only are Greek turkey burgers delicious, they’re an healthier option when you get that burger craving! This turkey burger recipe is so easy to prep and cook, it deserves a regular spot in your weekly meal plans!

Mixing lean ground turkey with crumbled feta cheese, finely diced red onion, dried oregano, and lemon zest infuses these turkey burgers with distinct Greek flavor. To round it all out, serve the burgers on a grilled bun lathered with a homemade cucumber yogurt sauce and the condiments of your choice.

a greek turkey burger on a wooden board on a table.

Once grilling season arrives, we cook outdoors at least two to three times a week — and not just on the weekends. These healthy turkey burgers can be ready in less than 30 minutes, so it’s a perfect weeknight grilling option for us.

Do you love to grill, too? If so, you may enjoy these other go-to weeknight recipes like my Easy Grilled Pork Chop Marinade — take 5 minutes to prep in the morning then let the chops marinate all day while you work.

Or, my most popular Grilled Salmon in Foil with a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that comes out perfect every time.

Why you’re going to love it!

  • Juicy and flavorful. Feta cheese in the meat is the trick!
  • Easy prep. Only 10 minutes and you’re ready to cook.
  • Fresh ingredients. Lemon zest and fresh mint give the burgers and sauce extra zing!

Greek Turkey Burgers: behind the recipe

The first time I suggested that we grill turkey burgers, John was pretty skeptical. I know this because he raised his eyebrows as he headed out to turn on the grill!

Anyone could understand his hesitancy — all he could think of was a past experience of biting into a turkey burger that was dry and bland.

Greek Turkey Burgers, however, were a different story. That first time we made them he had to admit they were pretty darn tasty! Now, he’s the one suggesting when it’s time to make turkey burgers again!

What’s more, if we can substitute turkey burgers every once in a while I know I feel better about how many burgers we consume during the Summer months.

ingredients for greek turkey burgers on a counter top.

Key ingredients and substitutions

  • Lean ground turkey — be sure the package indicates “lean” ground turkey, otherwise it may include darker thigh and leg meat that adds calories and fat to the meat
  • Crumbled feta cheese — you may need to break up some of the bigger pieces with your fingers as you work it into the meat
  • Red onion — can be overpowering sometimes, but not so much when they are finely diced and cooked in the burgers. If you’re not a fan, substitute chopped kalamata olives instead.
  • Lemon zest — really boosts up the flavor of the burgers
  • Plain Greek yogurt — for the healthiest option, go for the fat-free version
  • English cucumber — you may also use a regular cucumber, but I think the English cucumber has better flavor for this recipe.
  • Fresh mint — you can leave it out of the tzatziki sauce in a crunch, but you’ll miss the freshness it adds.
mixing ingredients into ground turkey in a glass bowl for Greek Turkey Burgers.

How to make Greek turkey burgers with tzatziki sauce

STEP 1 | Season the meat

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, feta cheese, red onion, a teaspoon dried oregano, lemon zest, and salt. Add a grind or two of freshly ground black pepper, if you like.
  • Divide the mixture into 4 equal sized balls and shape into 1/2-inch think patties.
uncooked Greek turkey burgers on a white plate on a table.

STEP 2 | Grill the burgers & buns

  • Preheat the grill to medium high heat and lightly oil the grill grates.
  • Place the burgers on the grate over direct heat and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until done.
  • Lightly brush olive oil on the split side of the buns, then place them on the grill cut side down and toast for 1 to 2 minutes.
process steps for making cucumber sauce for Greek Turkey Burgers.

STEP 3 | Prepare tzatziki sauce

  • Grate the cucumber with a box grater (I love using my OXO grate and slice set for this task).
  • Wrap the grated cucumber in cheesecloth.
  • Gently squeeze to remove excess moisture from the grated cucumber.
  • In a small bowl, stir the cucumber together with Greek yogurt, freshly chopped mint, and salt.

tip

  • Don’t skip squeezing out the moisture from the grated cucumber or the sauce will get watery. If you don’t have cheesecloth, layer a couple of paper towels together and use that instead.

condiments for greek turkey burgers on a white plate.

Step 4 | Assemble the burgers

  • Spread tzatziki sauce on the top and bottom bun.
  • Add a turkey burger and top it with lettuce, thin slices of cucumber, and red onion, if desired. 
a greek turkey burger on a wooden board on a table.

Other condiment suggestions

a greek turkey burger with red onion on a wooden board on a table.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cook these turkey burgers on the stove?

If you don’t want to fire up the grill, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add a tablespoon canola oil and cook the burgers for 5 minutes on each side, until done.

How do you know when turkey burgers are done?

To be completely sure your turkey burger is done, use a quick read digital thermometer to confirm the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees.

Should I grill turkey burgers with the lid open or closed?

Leave the grill lid open when cooking burgers so the grill’s heat doesn’t build up and intensify too much.

Please share!

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First Published: October 3, 2016. Last Updated: April 8, 2021.

a greek turkey burger with red onion on a wooden board on a table.

Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

These grilled Greek Turkey Burgers are so flavorful and juicy you'll forget that they are actually healthy, too! Seasoned with Feta cheese and Greek spices.
4.88 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Grilling & Smoking
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 434 kcal

Ingredients
  

Turkey Burgers

  • 1 lb. lean ground turkey
  • 1 4-oz. pkg. crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 hamburger buns split and toasted
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1/2 cup grated English cucumber
  • 1 6 ounce fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

Turkey Burgers

  • Preheat the grill to medium high heat, about 400 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, feta cheese, red onion, oregano, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Divide into 4 equal balls and shape into 1/2-inch think patties.
  • Lightly oil the grill grates and cook burgers over direct heat for 5 minutes on each side, or until done.
  • Brush the split side of the buns with olive oil. Grill cut side down for 1 to 2 minutes, until toasted.
  • Serve the turkey burgers on grilled buns with tzatziki sauce and desired toppings.

Tzatiziki Sauce

  • Grate the cucumber (do not peel). Wrap the grated cucumber in cheesecloth and squeeze gently to remove the moisture.
  • Add the cucumber to a small bowl with the yogurt, mint, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Original recipe by Southern Living, 2010
  • Don’t skip squeezing out the moisture from the grated cucumber or the sauce will get watery. If you don’t have cheesecloth, layer a couple of paper towels together and use that instead.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 37gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 926mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword 30 minute recipe, Greek, grilled, red onion, turkey burger, tzatziki sauce
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.
Sheila Thigpen, blogger

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.

6 Comments

  1. Pingback: Greek Chicken Kabobs
  2. Now THIS looks like a real turkey burger! Thick, juicy and full of bold greek flavors. I need to make these soon!

  3. These are so delicious Sheila, made them last night for supper and they are so flavorful, love too how thick the tzatziki sauce is!

  4. The hubs and I LOVE Greek food and these burgers were such a treat! Thanks for another great recipe!

  5. These burgers were amazing! Made them for dinner last night and they were a hit! LOVE the tzatziki sauce!

  6. This turkey burger is AMAZING and bursting with flavors! My kids, who normally want cheeseburgers, were enthralled with these flavors, too.

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