• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Our Salty Kitchen
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Season
    • Fall Recipes
    • Spring Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Winter Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
  • Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Keto
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Course
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Sauces
    • Desserts
    • Cocktails
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Stews
  • Method
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling Recipes
    • Stir Fry
  • About
    • Let’s Collaborate!
    • Recipe Photography for Food Bloggers
    • Photography Portfolio
    • License Images
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dishes
  • Salads
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home » Kid Friendly » Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole

    Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole

    July 20, 2018 By Danielle Esposti 43 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

    Go to Recipe
    A veggie-packed paleo turkey burger on a lettuce bun with tomato, red onion, and guacamole.

    I’m not gonna lie – these are the very best Paleo Turkey Burgers! Packed with veggies, pan seared to perfection, then topped with guacamole or a fried egg (or both!), this is an epic bun free burger experience you really don’t want to miss. You’ll be reaching for this paleo, Whole30, and keto turkey burger recipe for all of your summer dinners and cookouts! 

    A paleo turkey burger served on a lettuce bun with tomato and red onion, topped with guacamole and jalapeno peppers.
    Jump to:
    • Tips For Perfect Paleo Burgers
    • How to Make Paleo Turkey Burgers
    • How to Serve Paleo Turkey Burgers
    • Recipe

    I’ve been meaning to share the recipe for these veggie-packed paleo turkey burgers for a long time, but I was dragging my feet bigly. I want to say it’s because I’m selfish and I didn’t want to share (that’s partly true), but to be honest it’s because photographing burgers to make them look as good as they taste is really, really hard. How’s that for some hard food blogger truth?

    Then a few weeks ago a reader asked if my paleo turkey meatballs would convert well into burgers. I didn’t know for sure (I ended up testing them – they do!) and it felt like the universe was dropping me a giant, not-to-subtle hint. So I pulled on my big girl pants, and here we are. Which is good for us all because you get a new recipe, and I got to step outside my comfort zone, and we ALL get to eat these noshtastic burgers.

    Healthy turkey burgers on a plate with a side of guacamole, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and jalapeno peppers.

    I’ve been making this basic recipe for paleo turkey burgers for a long time. It was well over 10 years ago that I first threw these guys together and impressed the hell out of my roommates. Heck, I impressed the hell out myself if we’re being honest.

    They’re incredibly juicy, with a crispy crust, tender interior and tons of flavor. Buh-bye bland, mealy, dried out turkey burgers. Hello moist, flavor-packed patties of awesome.

    My secret? LOADS of veggies. So many veggies. Veggies for the win! They add moisture, texture, and flavor for the perfect paleo burger experience. 

    Tips For Perfect Paleo Burgers

    Dark ground turkey meat is boss

    Use dark ground turkey meat for added flavor. Dark meat has more fat than white meat. Fat = flavor. Plus you’ll have less pan stickage.

    Paleo turkey burger platter with lettuce, tomato, red onion, guacamole and jalapeno.

    Stovetop or griddle wins

    Skip the grill. I know. I’m a grilling devotee all summer long, but cooking paleo turkey burgers on the grill is a terrible user-experience if you happen to be a fan of tender burgers that don’t fall apart. I prefer my patties in one piece, so it’s cast iron skillet or griddle all the way!

    If you’re so not into cooking on the stove, I feel you sister. Go ahead and put that griddle or skillet directly onto the grill plates and win at life. If you’re feeling fancy, go ahead and call that griddle a plancha. I won’t judge (but I might giggle a little). Or be a pro and get an actual plancha or carbon steel skillet. I’m not gonna lie, that skillet’s been calling my name all summer so it’s probably time to cave. But I digress as typical.

    Oil is your friend

    Make sure you’re adding enough extra fat throughout the cooking process, but especially when forming the burgers and oiling your cooking pan. Add a bit of oil to your hands before you go to form the turkey burgers. The mixture is super wet (which is tasty good), but sticky (which is logistics bad). Grease up your hands and you’ll be able to easily form those patties and transfer them to the skillet with zero problems.

    How to Make Paleo Turkey Burgers

    First up – veggie time! These paleo turkey burgers get combined with two whole portobello mushrooms, a bell pepper, and half a sweet onion to create a flavor-packed, moist and tender burger experience.

    Diced portobello mushrooms on a cutting board.

    Mushrooms are up first. Dice two portobello mushroom caps into tiny pieces and then toss them into a hot skillet with a couple glugs of oil or avocado oil. Let them cook down, stirring every now and then, until they’re crispy and all of their juices have been released.

    Raw mushrooms and sautéed mushrooms in a cast iron skillet for moist turkey burgers.

    That last bit is important! Mushrooms have a very high water content, and their role here is flavor enhancer, not moisture control (that’s next). If you lazily sauté them you’ll have a hot, wet mess on your hands.

    Diced onions and bell peppers in a food processor for veggie packed paleo turkey burgers.

    While the mushrooms are cooking, prep the pepper and onion. If you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and dice them by hand. If you’re feeling not, go ahead and toss them into a food processor and pulse a couple times until they’re diced for you. I’ve done this both ways, and both results are equally good.

    Sauteed mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers in a cast iron skillet for moist, veggie packed paleo turkey burgers.

    Once the mushrooms are nice and crispy, add the onions and peppers to the skillet and sauté until they’re just barely soft. Don’t cook them all the way down, just get that crisp edge off. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the veggies to cool until you can handle them.

    Paleo turkey burger mixture with sautéed vegetables, ground turkey meat, an egg, and seasoning.

    Mix the sautéed vegetables with the turkey meat, one egg, and some seasoning. I stick to just salt and pepper. You can add a little cumin and red pepper for a smoky, spicy kick. About half a teaspoon of each should do it.

    Mix until the ingredients just barely come together, and try not to overmix.

    Raw paleo turkey burger patties on a baking sheet.

    Divide the mixture into 6 equal parts (yes, I know there’s only four burgers up there, but I promise this recipe makes six). To do so, oil up your hands before you start forming the patties and have a parchment lined something-or-other (baking sheet, cutting board, the counter) at-the-ready to place the patties onto. The mixture is wet and sticky, and greasing your hands will make the burger forming process way more pleasant.

    Paleo turkey burgers cooking in a cast iron skillet.

    And now we cook. Place the burgers into a well-oiled cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Saute for five minutes, then attempt to flip. I say attempt with intention. If the burgers give you resistance, give them another minute – they’re not ready! They’ll be ready when they have a good crust formed and you can easily get your spatula underneath to turn them. So, once they’re ready, flip and then sautee on the other side for another five minutes or so.

    Unlike beef burgers, turkey burgers cannot be cooked medium rare. They have to be cooked until they’re done, and that’s a minimum of 165*. Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness, and food safety-ness.

    Do not be tempted to cook these at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time. You will not be rewarded for your ingenuity – trust me on this one. 😀 They’ll burn on the outside before they’re ready on the inside. A little char is tasty. A lot of char is nasty. Keep it to medium friends.

    How to Serve Paleo Turkey Burgers

    Let’s build a burger! It’s like build-a-bear for foodies but way cheaper and funner.

    A low carb keto burger on a lettuce and tomato "bun" topped with guacamole and jalapeno.

    If you’re rocking the keto lifestyle, go ahead and slap some cheese on these guys before you take them off the skillet. Havarti is good, sharp cheddar is better.

    To build your burger, place some lettuce onto a plate, then top it with a little shredded cabbage and a slice of tomato to create a good solid base. Place a turkey burger on top of the tomato, then top with red onion, guacamole and a slice of jalapeno.

    Alternatively, you can get really fancy and slap an egg on top.

    I cannot tell a lie – we totally ate these with a fork and a knife. Dreadful, I know. But delicious – oh, so delicious. Honestly, any other way is just too darn messy. If you have a better way to bun-free burgers, share with me in the comments! Otherwise I’ll be rockin’ my knife and fork and feelin’ real fine.

    Keto and paleo turkey burger on a bed of lettuce, onion, and tomato with a serving of guacamole and topped with a fried egg.

    Did you make these Paleo Turkey Burgers? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Keto and paleo turkey burger on a bed of lettuce, onion, and tomato with a serving of guacamole and topped with a fried egg.

    Paleo Turkey Burgers (Whole30, Keto, Low Carb)

    4.91 from 22 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    You will love these easy paleo turkey burgers! Packed with veggies then pan-seared to perfection, they’re a delicious low carb recipe packed with flavor! 
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 25 mins
    Total Time: 35 mins
    Servings : 6
    Calories: 223

    Recommended Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet
    • Food Processor
    • Parchment Paper
    • Baking Sheet
    • Instant Read Thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 2 portobello mushrooms, finely diced
    • 4 tbsp olive or avocado oil, divided, plus more for greasing your hands
    • 1 bell pepper, finely diced
    • ½ large sweet onion, finely diced
    • 1 lb ground dark turkey meat
    • 1 egg
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
    • lettuce, for serving
    • sliced tomato, for serving
    • sliced red onion, for serving
    • guacamole, for serving
    • jalapeno slices, for serving

    Instructions

    • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add two tablespoons oil and heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms to the oil and sautee, stirring occasionally, until they’ve released their water content and are browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
    • Add the diced bell peppers and onions to the skillet and stir to combine. Continue to sautee, stirring occasionally, until the peppers and onions are just barely soft, about 5 minutes. 
    • Remove the vegetables from heat and set aside until they’re cool enough to handle (about 5 minutes). 
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables with the ground turkey, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until the veggies are evenly distributed through the turkey meat. 
    • Place a piece of parchment paper onto a baking sheet or cutting board large enough to fit 6 burger patties.
    • Rub a bit of oil into your hands. Dive the mixture into 6 equal portions, then form into patties. Re-oil your hands as needed so that you can form the patties without the meat sticking to your hands. 
    • Wipe out the cast iron skillet and place over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat until it shimmers. Place three turkey burgers into the cast iron skillet, leaving space in-between. Sautee five minutes, or until a good crust forms and you meet little resistance when attempting to flip. Flip the burgers, then sautee on the remaining side for an additional 5 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer reaches at least 165*. Remove the burgers from the skillet and repeat with the remaining patties.
    • Build your burger. Place several lettuce slices onto a plate, then place the tomato and a burger on top of the lettuce. Top the burger with red onion, guacamole, and jalapeno slices. Alternatively, place the guacamole under the burger and top with a fried egg. Serve immediately. Leftover burgers keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat by sautéing in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat in a bit of oil. 

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 223kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 17g (34%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 3g (15%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 84mg (28%), Sodium: 260mg (11%), Potassium: 234mg (7%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 300% (300%), Vitamin C: 65.2% (65%), Calcium: 30% (30%), Iron: 1.8% (2%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    « Mint and Basil Lemonade (with Sparkling + Cocktail Variations)
    Summer Quinoa Salad with Sunbutter Sauce »

    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    43 Comments
    Filed Under: Gluten Free, Grain Free, Keto, Kid Friendly, Main Dishes, Paleo, Summer Recipes, Whole30 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee Kohley

      July 23, 2018 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      Oh man those look amazing! Love all the veg in there for flavor and that perfect egg on top is my favorite!

      Reply
      • Bonnie

        July 03, 2020 at 1:09 pm

        Making these now!! They smell yum!! Can I just freeze the other 5 or do I need to cook and reheat? Also, have you tried on grill?

        Reply
    2. linda spiker

      July 23, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers are gorgeous! Love that egg!

      Reply
    3. Jean

      July 23, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      5 stars
      Burgers are my favorite and this one looks divine! Love guac on my burgers as well.

      Reply
    4. Tessa Simpson

      July 24, 2018 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      burger perfection!! I have not added sauteed veggies in ages to my burgers…probably b/c I have daughter who shirk at any colorful fleck…sigh. These look amazing!

      Reply
    5. Joni Gomes

      July 24, 2018 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      Obsessed with all of those veggies you added to the meat! It’s so so delicious, thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
    6. ChihYu

      July 24, 2018 at 10:54 pm

      5 stars
      Totally in love with the flavor combination of this recipe. So simple and delicious !

      Reply
    7. Lindsey Dietz

      July 25, 2018 at 9:53 am

      5 stars
      Omg, I love a runny fried egg on a burger! And your guac is perfection!

      Reply
    8. Yvonne

      July 25, 2018 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      This burger looks so good and the flavor is amazing with all those added veggies!

      Reply
    9. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish

      July 28, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers look fabulous! I LOVE that you jam-packed portobellos into the patties. That’s such a brilliant and yummy idea. Can’t wait to try them!

      Reply
    10. Cathy

      July 28, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the vegetables in and on these burgers. Who needs a bun? And, your photos look terrific!

      Reply
    11. Raia Todd

      July 29, 2018 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      That pile of condiments and burger looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever had a turkey burger before…

      Reply
    12. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!

      July 29, 2018 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      These burgers look like perfection! I also just love that you added a whole pile of veggies in there as well!

      Reply
    13. Bonnie

      January 13, 2019 at 7:06 pm

      I’ve made these twice now… LOVE THESE TURKEY BURGERS! <3

      Reply
      • Danielle

        January 30, 2019 at 11:29 am

        YES! That’s awesome Bonnie.

        Reply
    14. Holly

      February 07, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      This looked so good, so I made it tonight. Ridiculously easy and super delicious! This will be a new go-to. All the flavors were so amazing together. Even my picky eater liked it!

      Reply
    15. Paula

      March 03, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      Made these last night and they are delicious! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    16. Jordan

      March 27, 2019 at 10:10 am

      How did two pounds of ground turkey in the meatball recipe yield only four services, but one lb here yield six?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jordan

        March 27, 2019 at 6:09 pm

        Sorry, meant to say “four servings”.

        Reply
    17. Brandy

      April 14, 2019 at 6:25 pm

      5 stars
      I am such a picky eater and my boyfriend HATES mushrooms. He had no idea they were in the burgers (hehe) I love meal prepping and taking these for work. I eat mine with just avocado and an egg on top, it tastes amazing! Thank you for the recipe, one of our new favorites 🙂

      Reply
    18. Meghan

      June 01, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      My boyfriend and I LOVED these. He is not a fan of mushrooms so we did feta instead. Moist and so juicy. Love that they are low carb and didn’t get dry after cooking. We will do these from now on!

      Reply
      • Danielle

        June 12, 2019 at 1:30 pm

        Love the feta sub – what a great option!

        Reply
    19. Sara

      July 22, 2019 at 2:35 pm

      Does the nutrition information include the guacamole, or is it just for the burger patty itself?

      Reply
      • Danielle

        July 24, 2019 at 10:03 am

        Hi Sara – it’s just the for the turkey burger, any toppings are an additional calculation.

        Reply
    20. Andrea

      September 02, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! I have gone to heaven! Literally sent a Snapchat of myself running my finger around the pan so as not to miss any of the flavorful crunchy bits! I did throw in a clove of garlic with my pepper and onion because it was my last one. Think I could serve this to the in-laws instead of thanksgiving whole bird this year? I bow to you my turkey queen!

      Reply
    21. Tia

      October 29, 2019 at 4:08 am

      5 stars
      This tastes amazing! I ate an entire burger and half of another one.

      Reply
      • Danielle

        October 30, 2019 at 10:11 am

        Ha, awesome! So glad you like the recipe Tia.

        Reply
    22. Kristine

      January 04, 2020 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and flavorful. I used Havarti cheese and topped with roasted red peppers, red onion and spinach (no bun).

      Reply
    23. Wendy Christie

      April 25, 2020 at 10:48 pm

      4 stars
      The patties were absolutely beautiful, I finished mine off in the oven and served as you suggested. Will definitely be making them AGAIN – thank you

      Reply
    24. Deb

      October 30, 2020 at 11:49 am

      4 stars
      Very good flavors, just too messy to prepare ground turkey burgers and cook in oil. Family loved them.

      Reply
    25. janine sot

      March 03, 2021 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      My go to turkey burger recipe!

      Reply
    26. Kristin

      August 01, 2021 at 11:01 pm

      5 stars
      These were juicy and delicious! Carmelized some onions and topped with jalapenos and tomatoes. Ate two in one sitting. This will definitely be a go-to meal.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Best Keto Burger Recipes! 23 Ways To Make A Better Keto Burger! - Word To Your Mother Blog says:
      May 4, 2019 at 7:06 pm

      […] With guacamole + veggies + egg with 4 net carbs via Our Salty Kitchen […]

      Reply
    2. 28 Paleo + Whole30 Burger Recipes - Olive You Whole says:
      September 20, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      […] Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole – Our Salty Kitchen […]

      Reply
    3. The Ultimate Steak Sandwich with Arugula and Pesto | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      November 22, 2019 at 11:01 pm

      […] The Very Best Turkey Burgers […]

      Reply
    4. Whole30 Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers | Our Salty Kitchen says:
      December 13, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      […] Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole […]

      Reply
    5. Low Carb Dinner Recipes To Make Your Taste Buds Tingle | Jeremy Life says:
      January 8, 2020 at 6:01 am

      […] Check the full recipe here. […]

      Reply
    6. 20 Keto Comfort Foods for Those Cozy Evenings - All Nutritious says:
      January 10, 2020 at 11:14 am

      […] Recipe […]

      Reply
    7. The Ultimate Paleo Summer Recipes Roundup! • Oh Snap! Let's Eat! says:
      May 17, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      […] Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole […]

      Reply
    8. Best Keto Burger Recipes: 23 Ways To Make A Better Keto Burger says:
      May 24, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      […] With guacamole + veggies + egg with 4 net carbs via Our Salty Kitchen […]

      Reply
    9. 2021 Meal Planning… Menu 4 | Montana's Mountain Maven says:
      January 10, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      […] off limits, I am compromising for a turkey burger. I started this menu using some inspiration from https://oursaltykitchen.com/paleo-turkey-burgers/, but chose to simplify life a bit by purchasing the Butterball all-natural turkey burger patties at […]

      Reply
    10. 25 Great Keto Grilling Recipes for Memorial Day Weekend – Diabetes Today says:
      May 25, 2021 at 12:08 am

      […] Paleo Turkey Burgers with Guacamole by Our Salty Kitchen […]

      Reply
    11. Our Very BEST Whole30 Dinner Recipes - Our Salty Kitchen says:
      January 1, 2022 at 9:54 am

      […] Whole30 Turkey Burgers […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Our Salty Kitchen! We create real food for real people. Our whole foods recipes are seasonal, locally sourced, and simply prepared. Learn More! 

    Footer

    ABOUT US      CONTACT US      PRIVACY POLICY 

    A collage of publication logos that have featured recipes and photography from Our Salty Kitchen.

    Footer

    Privacy

    Privacy Policy

    Let's ConnecT

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About Us

    Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Our Salty Kitchen

    5.3K shares