Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgers
These Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers are an easy, juicy turkey burger recipe made with ground turkey, fresh spinach, feta cheese, mozzarella, garlic, and herbs. If you’re looking for a simple ground turkey recipe that’s anything but boring, these Mediterranean-inspired turkey burgers are one of my favorite ways to turn a pound of ground turkey into a dinner the whole family will actually want to eat.
You can cook these spinach and feta turkey burgers outside on the grill or make them right on the stovetop, so they’re an easy dinner any time of year. Add some fries, roasted potatoes, or a quick salad on the side, and you have a simple family dinner on the table in about 20 minutes — which is exactly the kind of recipe I need on a busy weeknight.
Why You’ll Love These Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
There are so many reasons these easy turkey burgers have become one of my favorite ways to use ground turkey.
- Ready in about 20 minutes: The burger mixture takes just a few minutes to prepare, and the patties cook quickly.
- One-bowl recipe: Everything gets mixed together in one bowl for easy prep and cleanup.
- Juicy and flavorful: Feta, mozzarella, spinach, garlic, and herbs add plenty of flavor to lean ground turkey.
- Easy to customize: Change the cheese, seasonings, toppings, or even swap the turkey for ground beef.
- Great for grilling or the stovetop: You can make these year-round without needing an outdoor grill.
- Family-friendly: Serve them on buns for the kids and load yours up with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, and feta.
- Great for meal prep: Make the patties ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to cook.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes these burgers so flavorful:
- Ground beef or turkey – the hearty base of the burger. Turkey makes them a bit leaner, while beef gives extra juiciness. ( I used turkey for this recipe)
- Fresh spinach – adds nutrients, moisture, and a pop of green. It blends seamlessly into the meat.
- Crumbled feta cheese – creamy, salty, and tangy, feta brings that unmistakable Mediterranean flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese – Melty, creamy, and helps keep the patties tender and cheesy inside
- Garlic– for an aromatic boost.
- Breadcrumbs or panko – help bind the patties together while keeping them tender.
- Egg – holds everything in place so the burgers don’t fall apart.
- Seasonings – think parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper to bring out the best of the Greek flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix the patties: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, spinach, feta, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Mix gently to avoid tough burgers.
Shape: Form into even-sized patties (about 4–6 depending on size).
Cook: Heat a skillet or grill to medium-high. Cook burgers 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked (165°F for turkey, 160°F for beef).
Serve: Place on toasted buns with your favorite toppings or serve as is.
Expert Tips for the Best Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers are simple to make, but these little tricks will give you the best texture and flavor every time.
- Chop the spinach finely. Large pieces of spinach can make the burgers harder to shape and may fall out during cooking.
- Don’t overmix. Mix only until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Don’t press the patties while cooking. Pressing down with your spatula can squeeze moisture out of the burgers.
- Use a meat thermometer. This keeps you from guessing whether they’re finished and accidentally overcooking them.
- Make evenly sized patties. Similar-sized burgers will finish cooking at approximately the same time.
- Chill soft patties. If the mixture feels sticky or difficult to handle, refrigerate the patties for 15–20 minutes.
- Toast your buns. Toasted buns add texture and hold up better to creamy toppings like tzatziki.
Recipe Variations
Once you have the basic turkey burger recipe, it’s easy to change the flavors based on what you already have in your refrigerator.
- Spinach feta beef burgers: Substitute one pound of ground beef for the turkey.
- No mozzarella: Leave out the mozzarella and add a little additional feta if desired.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes add another layer of Mediterranean flavor.
- Make them spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the burger mixture.
- Add fresh dill: Fresh dill pairs especially well with feta and tzatziki.
- Use Italian seasoning: Replace the oregano with your favorite Italian seasoning blend.
- Make mini burgers: Shape the mixture into smaller patties and serve them on slider buns.
- Make burger bowls: Skip the bun and serve the patty over greens with cucumber, tomato, feta, and tzatziki.
How to Store & Reheat
- Store: Keep cooked burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap uncooked patties individually in parchment and freeze for up to 2 months. Cook straight from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes per side.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Watch How to Make Spinach and Feta Burgers
Sometimes it’s easier to see a recipe come together step by step, and this video will walk you through the entire process. From mixing the ground turkey with spinach, feta, mozzarella, parsley, and panko to shaping and cooking the patties, you’ll see just how simple and quick these Mediterranean-inspired burgers are to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen spinach in spinach and feta burgers?
Yes, frozen spinach works perfectly in this recipe. However, it’s very important to thaw it completely and squeeze out all the excess liquid first. Otherwise, the patties may turn out soggy and fall apart while cooking. Once drained, frozen spinach can be swapped in exactly the same way as fresh, and as a bonus, it saves time on prep.
What’s the best type of meat to use for these burgers?
These burgers are versatile, so you can make them with beef, turkey, or chicken. For example, ground beef will give you the juiciest, most classic burger, while turkey or chicken offers a leaner option. In addition, using a higher-fat variety (like 93/7 turkey) helps prevent dryness. As a result, the feta cheese and spinach add back moisture and flavor no matter which meat you choose.
Can these burgers be grilled outdoors?
Absolutely! In fact, grilling adds an extra smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the Mediterranean ingredients. On the other hand, if you prefer cooking indoors, a stovetop skillet works just as well. Either way, make sure the patties are firmly packed and cook them over medium-high heat until they reach a safe internal temperature—160°F for beef or 165°F for poultry.
How do I keep the burgers from falling apart?
If your patties feel too loose, don’t worry. Simply add more breadcrumbs or a spoonful of oat flour to help bind them. In addition, chilling the patties for about 30 minutes before cooking makes a big difference. Therefore, always make sure the spinach is finely chopped and very well drained so it blends smoothly into the meat.
What toppings go best with spinach and feta burgers?
Since these burgers are packed with Mediterranean flavors, toppings like tzatziki, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, and tomatoes are perfect. Furthermore, you can add arugula for extra freshness or caramelized onions for richness. For example, if you want a gourmet twist, drizzle a little balsamic glaze on top—your tastebuds will thank you.
Can I make these burgers ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, spinach and feta burgers are excellent for meal prep. You can mix and shape the patties up to a day in advance and keep them in the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze them uncooked with parchment between each patty. As a result, you’ll always have an easy dinner ready to cook straight from the freezer—just add a couple of extra minutes of cooking time.
You’ll Also Love:
If you enjoyed these Spinach and Feta Burgers, you’ll love trying some of my other family-friendly recipes that are just as easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- One Pan Lemon Pasta – A light, flavorful pasta dish with garlic, lemon, and parmesan that pairs beautifully with Mediterranean flavors. It’s a great “side or main” companion to your burgers.
- Easy Sheet Pan Big Mac Quesadilla – These quesadillas are baked all at once on a single sheet pan, which makes dinner a breeze. The tortillas crisp up perfectly, and you can load them with all your favorite toppings for a customizable family meal.
- Bang Bang Chicken Skewers – Juicy chicken skewers are grilled or baked, then drizzled with a creamy, slightly spicy bang bang sauce. They’re a crowd-pleasing appetizer or dinner that always disappears fast.
Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey preferably 93% lean
- 1 cup fresh spinach finely chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup finely diced onion optional
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the burger mixture. Add the ground turkey, chopped spinach, feta, mozzarella, parsley, onion, garlic, panko breadcrumbs, egg, oregano, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix gently. Use clean hands or a spatula to gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing, which can make the burgers tough.
- Shape the patties. Divide the mixture into 4–6 equal portions and gently shape each portion into a burger patty.
- Cook the burgers. Heat a grill pan, skillet, or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the cooking surface if needed. Cook the turkey burgers for approximately 4–5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.
- Check for doneness. Turkey burgers are fully cooked when the center reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve. Serve immediately on toasted buns with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, onions, and extra feta, or enjoy the patties on their own with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
- Use 93% lean ground turkey for juicier, more flavorful burgers. Extra-lean turkey can result in drier patties.
- Finely chop the spinach so it distributes evenly throughout the burgers.
- Don’t overwork the meat mixture when combining or shaping the patties.
- If the mixture feels very soft, refrigerate the shaped patties for 15–20 minutes before cooking.
- These burgers can also be made with ground beef. Cook beef burgers to your preferred safe doneness according to current food-safety guidance.
