Juicy Turkey Burgers with Manchego Cheese

These juicy turkey burgers stay incredibly moist thanks to portobello mushrooms, olive oil, and manchego cheese. Perfect for summer grilling and hearty enough to satisfy beef burger lovers too.

These juicy turkey burgers are packed with flavor and stay wonderfully moist thanks to one simple ingredient: portobello mushrooms. Combined with shallot, parsley, Worcestershire, and creamy manchego cheese, they’re rich, savory, and anything but boring. Even dedicated beef burger fans love these. Serve them on toasted buns with avocado and lettuce for an easy summer dinner that feels just a little special.

Looking for more grilling and easy summer recipes? Browse all my favorites here → Easy Summer Recipes

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Burgers

• Incredibly juicy and flavorful
• Great for grilling season
• A lighter alternative to beef burgers
• Manchego cheese adds amazing flavor
• Easy to prep ahead
• Perfect with avocado and summer toppings

How to make Moist Turkey Burgers

Start by scraping the gills from the underside of a large portobello mushroom, then roughly chop the cap. Pulse it in a food processor with fresh parsley, shallot, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce until finely chopped. This mixture adds incredible moisture and savory flavor to the turkey burgers.

Mix the mushroom mixture gently with ground turkey (I recommend 85% lean for the best flavor and texture), then form into patties. Refrigerating the patties for about 30 minutes helps them firm up and hold together beautifully on the grill.

Once grilled, top the burgers with thick slices of manchego cheese and let it melt until creamy and irresistible. Manchego is slightly nutty, buttery, and mild — the perfect match for turkey burgers.

Serve the burgers on toasted buns or English muffins with avocado, lettuce, and a quick spicy mayo-mustard sauce. They’re also excellent served burger-style over greens for a lighter summer meal.

These juicy turkey burgers are hearty, flavorful, and satisfying enough for even dedicated beef burger fans. Perfect for summer grilling season, they’re a great way to switch up burger night without sacrificing flavor.

Tips for the Best Turkey Burgers

• Don’t overmix the meat
• Chill patties before grilling
• Use 85% lean turkey for best texture
• Cover burgers while cheese melts
• Use a thermometer and cook to 165°F

FAQ

What keeps turkey burgers moist?

Portobello mushrooms, olive oil, and using slightly higher-fat turkey help prevent dry burgers.

Can I make these ahead?

Yes. Form the patties several hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to grill.

Can I cook turkey burgers on the stovetop?

Yes. A cast iron skillet works beautifully.

What cheese works besides manchego?

Fontina, provolone, havarti, or Swiss all work well, though manchego gives the best flavor.

Whether you’re looking for a lighter alternative to beef burgers or simply want something different for grilling season, these juicy turkey burgers deliver every time. The combination of savory mushrooms, creamy manchego cheese, and fresh toppings makes them feel a little elevated while still being easy enough for a casual summer dinner. Serve them at your next cookout and don’t be surprised if nobody misses the beef.

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5 from 5 votes

Juicy Turkey Burgers with Manchego Cheese

These juicy turkey burgers are packed with savory flavor from portobello mushrooms, shallot, parsley, and manchego cheese. The patties stay moist and tender on the grill and pair perfectly with avocado, lettuce, and toasted buns for an easy summer dinner.

Course Grilling

Prep Time 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes minutes

Total Time 58 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 375

Author Sally Humeniuk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

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• 1 large portobello mushroom cap
• 2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped shallot
• 3 Tablespoons lightly packed fresh parsley
• 1 ¼ pounds 85% lean ground turkey
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 8 thin slices manchego cheese
• 4 English muffins, split or other favorite burger bun
• Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper
• lettuce and sliced avocado, for topping

Instructions

• Use a spoon to scrape out the gills from the underside of the mushroom cap. Cut the cap into 1-inch pieces and transfer to a food processor. Add shallot and parsley and pulse until chopped.
  1 large portobello mushroom cap, 2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped shallot, 3 Tablespoons lightly packed fresh parsley
• Transfer the mushroom mixture to a large bowl. Add turkey, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste; gently mix with your hands until just combined. Divide into 4 balls, then lightly press into 4-inch-wide, 1-inch-thick patties. Put on a large plate, cover and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  1 ¼ pounds 85% lean ground turkey, 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil,, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Preheat a grill to medium. Brush the grates with olive oil. Grill the patties, undisturbed, until marked on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Give the patties a quarter turn and cook until marked again, 3 to 4 more minutes. Flip the patties and grill until cooked through, 5 to 6 more minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165F degrees; top each with 2 slices cheese during the last 3 minutes of cooking and cover with a disposable aluminum pan to melt.
  8 thin slices manchego cheese
• Toast the English muffins on the grill, then make a spread with mustard and mayonnaise and cayenne pepper. Start with half and half quantities of mustard and mayo, then adjust from there, increasing the mustard a bit. Add a dash to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, depending on preference. Serve the patties on the English muffins; top with avocado and lettuce.
  4 English muffins,, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, cayenne pepper, lettuce and sliced avocado,

Notes

• Use turkey that’s at least 85% lean for the best texture and flavor.
• Don’t skip chilling the patties before grilling. This helps them hold together better.
• Manchego cheese adds a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with turkey.
• These burgers are also delicious served burger-style over greens with avocado.

Nutrition Facts

Juicy Turkey Burgers with Manchego Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 375 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 0.03g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 80mg27%

Sodium 974mg42%

Potassium 630mg18%

Carbohydrates 29g10%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 39g78%

Vitamin A 303IU6%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 67mg7%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Adapted from  Food Network.