Grilled Beef and Turkey Burgers With Basil

Grilled basil beef and turkey burgers

​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 14 mins
Total: 26 mins
Servings: 8 servings

You may not have thought of doing it before, but combining ground beef and turkey into one burger patty creates a nice texture and flavor combination. The beef keeps the burger juicy, and the turkey adds a leaner meat to the mix while reducing the amount the cooked burger will shrink on the grill.

These reasons alone take the typical burger up a notch, but then adding fresh basil to the mix brings an unexpectedly delicious freshness to this popular cookout dish. Sweet onion, Parmesan cheese, and garlic add a nice depth of flavor while dressing the burger with roasted red peppers brings a bit of color to the finished sandwich. 

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 2/3 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup ketchup, optional

  • 1 pound ground turkey

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 1 jar roasted red peppers

  • 8 hamburger buns, toasted

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for grilled basil beef and turkey burgers
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  2. Combine egg, onion, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, pepper, salt, and ketchup (if using) in a large mixing bowl.

    Ingredients in a bowl
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  3. Add ground turkey and ground beef to the bowl, mixing well.

    Add ground beef
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  4. Shape into eight 3/4-inch thick patties.

    Shape patties
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  5. Preheat grill to high heat. Place burgers on the grill and reduce heat to medium.

    Patties
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  6. Cook burgers for 10 to 14 minutes turning once halfway through.

    Patties on grill
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West
  7. Remove burgers from grill and serve topped with sliced roasted red peppers on toasted hamburger buns. Serve with condiments on the side.

  8. Enjoy!

    Grilled basil patty
    ​The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Tips

  • Do not overmix: When combining the burger ingredients, make sure not to overmix; if the raw meat is handled too much you will end up with a dense and heavy burger. 
  • Give the mixture time: Allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator so the flavors to meld together.
  • Making patties: Wet your hands before forming the patties, so the meat does not stick to them. To avoid the burger from becoming too rounded on top, use your thumb to create an indentation in the top of the patty before placing on the grill. Some chefs even recommend freezing the patties before grilling to help them keep their shape and increase the moisture.
  • Prep in advance: If you are making the patties ahead of time, place them in layers separated by wax paper, on a baking sheet covered with plastic wrap, or in a zip-top bag.

Recipe Variations

  • The sky is the limit on condiments: Instead of the quintessential condiments—ketchup, mustard, and mayo—serve these burgers with a special sauce. Whip up a garlic aioli, use store-bought chipotle mayonnaise, combine pesto with mayo (a great complement to the basil inside the burger), or even use a tomato chutney.
  • Wholesome options: Swap out regular hamburger buns for whole wheat or multigrain—or make them open-top and serve only on the bottom bun. Add plenty of vegetables as toppings, including fresh spinach leaves, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and pickles. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
470 Calories
21g Fat
29g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 470
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 139mg 46%
Sodium 744mg 32%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 26mg 131%
Calcium 192mg 15%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 538mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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