It’s finally autumn and which means cranberry sauce, turkey for days, and friend and family gatherings. This Cranberry Brie Turkey Burger screams holiday flavors with tangy fruity cranberries, creamy buttery brie, and savory ground turkey.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Ground turkey by itself can be somewhat bland and dry, so don’t skip on the herbs and spices. But experiment with some of your own favorite spices to tailor the flavor to your own personal tastes.
The full ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Turkey comes in various qualities and prices, but even the best isn’t all that expensive. Deciding the best lean-to-fat ratio may be your biggest conundrum, especially if you are health-focused. While you can purchase 99% lean ground turkey, we really recommend something in the 80-85% range so your burgers don’t come out too dry and flavorless.
- Cranberries are available fresh in the fall season but you can find frozen cranberries all year long. We used frozen for our burgers but you can substitute with fresh or dried.
- Worcestershire Sauce is tangy, salty, and savory. It adds an umami flavor that “beef ups” the flavor of the turkey burger.
- Panko helps binds the turkey burgers together. Traditional beef burgers don’t need a binding agent but turkey can be crumbly so don’t skip the panko. You can substitute them with your favorite breadcrumbs.
- Brie is a creamy, soft cheese that originated in France and is the perfect melting cheese. It has a slightly buttery flavor which pairs perfectly with the tangy cranberries and ground turkey.
How to Make Cranberry Brie Turkey Burger
Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
This post may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
Pro-tip: These burgers can be made in advance and frozen for a quick weekday burger dinner.
1. Prepare the Burger Patties: In a large bowl mix together ground turkey with Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, panko breadcrumbs, garlic salt, onion powder, chopped fresh parsley, and cranberries. Divide the turkey mixture into four equal portions and form them into patties. Place patties on a small baking sheet and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes. We also make a thumb imprint to help the burger keep its shape rather than puffing up or bulging in the center. Note: this step can be done in advance but keep the burger patties refrigerated until ready to cook.
2. Cook the burger: In a preheated cast iron skillet, cook the turkey patties for approximately 3-5 minutes per side then cover them with a lid to help cook the center all the way through. When burgers have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees top with sliced brie cheese and cover until cheese has melted.
3. Plate: Serve burgers on a toasted bun and top with lettuce, additional toppings, and a side of tots or fries.
Recipe Pro-Tips and Notes
- Use a preheated cast iron or nonstick skillet to get a browned seared exterior.
- Turkey burgers can also be grilled on an outside gas or charcoal grill for added flavor.
- Turkey burgers need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Above 165 degrees and burgers will begin to dry out.
- To bind the patties together use breadcrumbs. It will also help the patties keep their shape.
- Turkey burgers are best served immediately when they are still juicy.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions for Turkey Burgers
To Make Ahead: Make the turkey burgers through step 2 of the recipe, prior to cooking. Place them on a baking sheet and cover them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to one day prior to cooking.
To Freeze Ahead: Make the turkey burgers through step 2 of the recipe, prior to cooking. Place burgers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer for one hour. Once the patties have partially frozen, layer them between parchment paper in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Freeze burgers for up to 3 months. To cook, thaw burgers overnight in the refrigerator and then cook as recommended in step 3 of the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turkey burgers need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. To get the juiciest burger avoid cooking them past 165 degrees.
You can prevent them from falling apart by adding a filler such as breadcrumbs. We like using panko for our burgers but you can also use crushed crackers or an egg. Turkey patties should also be made thicker than your traditional beef patty so opt for a patty that is 3/4 – 1 inch thick. This will help them from falling apart as you flip them.
Of course. We prefer using frozen since they will hold their shape and stand up to being formed into a patty. You can also substitute dried cranberries.
More Brie Recipes to Try
Looking for more gooey brie recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese – Layers gooey melted brie, crisp fresh apples, and sweet fig jam in between two buttery toasted slices of bread for an elevated adult version of a childhood favorite.
- Fig, Brie, and Prosciutto Crêpes – Made from light and airy crêpes that are a combination of sweet and salty. The soft crêpes pair deliciously with the fresh sliced figs that are bursting with flavor, creamy brie, and crispy prosciutto.
- Cranberry Brie Tartlets – Easy appetizers that are ready in less than 15 minutes. Made with phyllo cups they are the perfect make-ahead appetizer for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Let’s Connect! If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Casual Epicure, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are considering making our recipes and we love hearing about your cooking experiences. And if you snapped some shots, share them on Instagram, and be sure to tag @casual.epicure so we can feature them in our stories.
Cranberry Brie Turkey Burger
This recipe may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
Want To Save This Recipe For Later?
Equipment
- 1 Large Cast-Iron Skillet (10 inches)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ground turkey, 85% lean
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 6 ounces brie cheese, cut in 16 slices, 1/4-inch thick
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Combine ground turkey with Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, garlic salt, onion powder, chopped parsley, and frozen cranberries.
- Divide the turkey mixture into four equal portions and form them into patties. Place patties on a small baking sheet and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
- In the same cast-iron skillet cook turkey patties for approximately 3-5 minutes on each side. When burgers have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees top with 4 slices of cheese.
- Serve burgers on a toasted bun and top with lettuce and additional toppings if desired.