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The Daily Insight

Do turkey burgers take longer to cook than beef?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Updated on March 23, 2026

Do turkey burgers take longer to cook than beef? On average turkey burgers cook in 8 minutes total (including both sides). Beef burgers take anywhere between 7 to 10 minutes, from medium-rare to well done. So for poultry, you should aim for 165 F, while for beef 145 F is the required minimum.

Considering this, do turkey burgers take longer to cook?

For the most common methods, pan-fried turkey burgers, broiled turkey burgers and grilled turkey burgers generally take about eight to 12 minutes, while baked ones take a little longer at around 20 to 25 minutes. Cooking time isn't a safe way to determine when turkey burgers are fully cooked.

Additionally, how do you tell if a turkey burger is fully cooked? To check the doneness of your burgers, stick a meat thermometer in the center of the patty. Once the temperature reads 165° F, your burgers are done!

In this way, how fast do turkey burgers cook?

Cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Flip the burgers carefully and cook for 5 minutes longer, or until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in the center registers 165° and the meat is no longer pink.

Is turkey burger better than beef?

Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

Related Question Answers

How do you know when turkey burgers are done without a thermometer?

If you do not have a thermometer, you can still easily learn how to know when turkey burgers are done. In this case, all you have to do is slice or pierce the burger with a fork or knife and take a good look at the juices that come out of it. If the juices are clear, your burger is indeed done.

What temperature do you cook a turkey burger to?

If you're grilling burgers this weekend, remember to use a meat thermometer—and that different temperature rules apply to ground beef and turkey. Cook ground turkey to at least 165° F, and ground beef to at least 160°F to kill potentially harmful bacteria.

Why do my turkey burgers stick to the grill?

Breaking apart when you flip them? We're here to help. Lean meats are more likely to stick to the grill, so when you grill turkey burger patties it's especially important to make your grill non-stick. It only takes a minute!

Can you cook a turkey burger medium rare?

You cannot eat a turkey burger medium rare. Turkey Burgers are done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

How do you grill turkey burgers without falling apart?

Just like in a traditional meatloaf, you need something to hold the meat together. Try adding some dry breadcrumbs to the turkey mixture before you shape the patties. The crumbs will absorb the moisture and, together with the egg, will act like glue and help your burgers maintain their shape on the grill.

What temperature should a turkey breast be cooked to?

160 degrees F

How do you cook frozen turkey burgers?

Grilling: Preheat grill to medium heat. Lightly spray or brush both sides of FROZEN turkey burgers with oil and place on grill about 4-inch above heat. Grill burgers 8 minutes on one side. Turn and grill other side 7 minutes or until done and a meat thermometer inserted in center of burger registers 165°F.

How do you tell if a turkey is done?

You'll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it's done and ready to serve.

Can you get sick from an undercooked turkey burger?

“The most common bacteria people tend to associate with undercooked poultry is Salmonella. The illness — which can cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps, among other side effects — is usually caused by eating or drinking foods contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria, according to Healthline.

Can Turkey be slightly pink?

The color pink in cooked turkey meat raises a "red flag" to many diners and cooks. Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.

How long should you cook turkey?

The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

What happens if you eat an undercooked turkey burger?

Thorough cooking or pasteurization kills Salmonella bacteria. You're at risk when you consume raw, undercooked, or unpasteurized items. Salmonella food poisoning is commonly caused by: undercooked chicken, turkey, or other poultry.

Why is Turkey bad for you?

Risks. Processed turkey products can be high in sodium and harmful to health. Many processed meats are smoked or made with sodium nitrites. These combine with amines that are naturally present in the meat and form N-nitroso compounds, which are known carcinogens.

Is Turkey Burger processed meat?

Ground turkey is not processed meat. Those guidelines recommend consumers limit their intake of processed and red meat. Processed meat is meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or the addition of chemical preservatives. It includes hot dogs, bacon, sausage, corned beef, and the like.

Is Turkey Burger considered red meat?

When it comes to helping prevent cancer, swapping ground turkey (white meat) for ground beef (red meat) is always a good choice.

Is Turkey Burger good for weight loss?

Start your weight loss journey with this delicious, healthy spin on the classic burger. The BBQ Turkey Burger helps you cut back on beef by introducing more turkey into your diet. Turkey is a great source of lean protein, which not only keeps you full, but also contains the amino acids that build muscle.

Are turkey burgers good for high cholesterol?

But lean ground turkey, which usually contains 7 percent fat compared with the 20 percent fat content of that “80 percent lean” ground beef at the market, is a cinch to disguise. The lower the saturated fat, the less detrimental it is to your cholesterol level.

Is Turkey healthier than chicken?

Turkey is fairly comparable to chicken in nutrients, but both its dark and white meat are slightly leaner. White meat has slightly less saturated fat than dark; skinless, boneless breast is leanest. Super-lean, lower in fat than other red meat.

What is the best turkey burger brand?

Taste-Off: The best frozen turkey burgers — and the foulest
  • Diestel Family Ranch Organic Turkey Burgers.
  • Butterball Turkey Original Seasoned Burgers.
  • Jennie-O Turkey Burgers.
  • Applegate Organics Turkey Burgers.
  • Butterball All Natural Turkey Burgers.
  • Jennie-O Seasoned Turkey Burgers.
  • Good & Gather All Natural Turkey Burgers.

Are Bubba turkey burgers healthy?

While there are questions around which burger is healthier, Bubba Burgers score a point for turkey because they have no artificial ingredients and very little fat. They're only 190 calories a burger, while most beef burgers have an average of 254 calories.

What is the healthiest meat?

5 Healthiest Meats
  1. Buffalo (Bison) No matter how good white meat can be, it will never truly satiate the craving for red meat.
  2. Pork. Pork chops used to be on the doctors' hit list.
  3. Chicken. White meat is much better for you than red — that's a well-known fact.
  4. Turkey. This big bird never saw it coming.
  5. Fish.