Turkey Burgers with Pineapple are so fun and delicious for casual summer entertaining, and they're easy enough for a busy weeknight dinner, too. Quick to whip up, you can make them ahead of time, to boot.
Sweet, smoky and a little bit spicy, pineapple turkey burgers have a Hawaiian vibe and they're scrumptious.
You can make and shape them ahead of time and then throw them on the grill, or in a skillet before serving.
The Ingredients
There are two main elements to this incredible burger. Juicy turkey and sweet and smoky pineapple salsa (recipe link is below).
- ground turkey - I like to use about 85% lean. With a 15% fat content it will be nice and juicy.
- Kosher salt - I cook with Kosher salt because I like its larger flake size and it usually doesn't contain additives. If you use table salt, use half the amount.
- black pepper - Preferably freshly ground.
- Pepper Jack cheese - Though there are variations, Pepper Jack cheese is essentially Monterey Jack cheese, a cow's milk semi-soft cheese with the addition of spicy peppers, usually jalapeños, serranos and/or habañeros.
- avocado - Ripe avocados should yield to firm gentle pressure. They will feel slightly soft but not mushy to the touch.
- lettuce - I use Butter lettuce, but use what you like.
- hamburger buns - Use your favorite.
- Green Hatch Chile Pineapple Salsa
(See recipe card below for quantities.)
Substitutions and Variations
If I don't list an ingredient with a substitution, it means I think it's best not to substitute it.
- Ground turkey. You can substitute the turkey with chicken.
- Pepper Jack cheese. If you want less heat, use regular Monterey Jack cheese and go easy on the jalapeños. The burgers would be good with white cheddar cheese, too.
- Pineapple salsa. The burgers can be made with a store bought pineapple salsa to save time, and you can even use another fruit salsa, like Hatch Chile Peach Salsa or for a totally different flavor profile, the burgers would also be delicious with Roasted Poblano Salsa. If you want to use a mango salsa, don't include it in the burgers, just on top.
Recipe Tips
- I make these burgers in a cast iron skillet, but you can also use a grill. Just handle them carefully as they might be a bit more fragile than other burgers because of the salsa.
How to Make Them
(More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)
- Make the pineapple salsa recipe (link above and below in the recipe card).
- Add the turkey to a large bowl, and mix in ⅔ cup of the salsa, and the salt and pepper.
- Shape into 4 burgers and place them on a large plate.
- Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with olive oil and place it over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the burgers. Sauté until the bottoms are nicely browned, about 3 minutes, then flip them and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking just until the turkey is cooked through, about another 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, distribute the slices of cheese between the burgers, cover the pan and let the cheese melt.
- Toast buns, add a lettuce leaf and the remaining salsa to the bottom buns and top it with a cheese-topped burger. Then divide the avocado slices between them and close the burger with the top of the bun.
Other Fantastic Burger Recipes
- Spicy Sriracha Burger
- Red Quinoa Burgers
- Grilled Mediterranean Burger
- Grilled Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers
- Salmon Burgers (Made with Fresh Salmon)
- Strawberry Turkey Burgers
Can you make them ahead?
- You can make the salsa up to two days ahead of time, keeping it in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
- They can be shaped the the night before you want to make them, and they are at their best when they're cooked as close to serving time as possible.
- Leftovers can be stored, wrapped well, in the refrigerator for a few days, and they can be frozen for up to a month.
I hope you love these turkey burgers with pineapple salsa as much as I do.
Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup Pineapple Salsa (click here for recipe), divided
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- a few turns freshly ground black pepper
- olive oil for the pan
- 4 of your favorite hamburger buns
- 8 ounces Pepper Jack cheese, thinly sliced
- 4 large leaves of lettuce (any variety), washed, dried
- 1 small ripe avocado, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Make the pineapple salsa, if you haven't already.
- Make the turkey mixture. Add the turkey to a large mixing bowl, and mix in ⅔ cup of the salsa and the salt and pepper.
- Shape the burgers. Shape the turkey into 4 burgers and place them on a large plate. (Handle them carefully, as the mixture will be somewhat fragile.)
- Cook the burgers. Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with olive oil and place it over medium-high heat.When the pan is very hot, add the burgers. You should hear a sizzling sound — if you don’t -- wait! You won’t get a nice caramelization and “crust” on the burger if it’s not hot enough. Sauté until the bottoms are nicely browned, about 3 minutes, then flip them over and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking just until the turkey is cooked through, about another 5 minutes.
- Assemble. Turn off the heat, distribute the slices of cheese between the burgers, cover the pan and let the cheese melt.Toast buns.Add a lettuce leaf and evenly distribute the remaining ⅓ cup of salsa to the bottom buns and top them with a cheese-topped burger. Then divide the avocado slices between them and close the burger with the top of the bun and serve!
NOTES
NUTRITION
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sippitysup
I am craving this combination. It hits all my "sweet" spots. GREG
valentina
Right!? 😀
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery
This looks AMAZING. I don't like burgers, I really don't like turkey - and yet I'm ready to reach through my computer and grab this and take a big bite. That hatch chile salsa sounds incredible - I am always on the look out for hatches and yet I can't seem to find them in the area. So, so sad.
valentina
Hi Julie, Wow, that's the most awesome compliment ever. Thank you! Maybe I'll turn you into a turkey lover. 😉 Here's a list of stores selling Hatch chiles all over the country -- hopefully there's one near you! https://www.melissas.com/Articles.asp?ID=4172 🙂
Manju | Cooking Curries
I love hatch chillies and I can imagine how the heat will go so well with the pineapple salsa in the burger. So good!
valentina
Thank you! Hope you try it! 🙂
David
My mother used to put pineapple in her meatloaf and it was wonderful. It kept the meat really moist. So why not on a burger?
valentina
Oh I love the sound of that. Next time I make meatloaf, I'm adding pineapple for sure. Thank you!
Tina Jui | The Worktop
I need to get my hands on some hatch chiles after seeing this post! Looks like such a hearty burger.
valentina
Thanks so much. Hope you do! 🙂
Sally - My Custard Pie
Admit to a slight chilli addiction so this is right up my street. Could you substitute other meats for the turkey? Not into anything that's not freerange and it's hard to get high welfare turkey here all year round. Gorgeous pics.
valentina
Hi Sally! Yes -- I actually was thinking this would be great with salmon. (Pulse the salmon in a food processor and then add the salsa. You might need to add an egg to hold it together and use a bit less of the sauce and salsa.) Enjoy!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Love the combination of turkey and chiles. Healthier for you too than burgers made with beef.
valentina
Thank you! Hope you try them! 🙂
Amanda Mason
This looks so divine and I'm now very interested in the "not ketchup"! Super catchy!!
valentina
Thanks, Amanda! All of the Not Ketchup flavors are great -- I especially like the Cherry Chipotle. 🙂
Brian Jones
Now that looks like my kinda burger, the relish on it sounds heavenly!
valentina
Thanks, Brian! Enjoy!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
That pineapple salsa sounds epic! I would want to put it on everything, especially burgers!
valentina
Hope you try it! 🙂
Luci
Oh I love the idea of a fruit-based spicy salsa! Brilliant!
valentina
Thanks so much, Luci!
Jemma
This looks like one epic burger! I love the sound of the pineapple salsa.
valentina
Thanks so much, Jemma. Delicious on everything! 🙂