Like any parent of a small child, turkey burgers need help. They lack fat and flavor; they can be a pain to cook (and not leave a good chunk of them stuck in the pan). Quite often, turkey burgers for kids are just plain boring. You’ve got options, though, one of which is to infuse the burger with the fat and flavor it needs, as we do with our house signature take on a turkey burger.
But another approach, if your child is ready and willing for it, is to improve how you top the burger. Our topping approach is necessarily over-the-top: melty cheese + sweet apple slices = maximalist taste and texture out of a minimalist protein to keep your child excited about a non-burger burger night. The upgrades require only a few more minutes of your time; their results well over achieve the effort they require. A turkey burger recipe that helps you–who knew?
Ingredients Overview
These turkey burgers for kids start with lean ground turkey, grated onion, and paprika to build flavor directly into the patty, keeping the meat juicy without relying on excess fat. Sweet red apple slices and sharp cheddar cheese do the rest of the work, adding moisture, contrast, and kid-appealing familiarity that helps elevate turkey burgers from “fine” to genuinely exciting.
Steps Summary
You’ll mix and form the turkey patties, then pan-cook thin apple slices until soft and lightly caramelized. The burgers are smashed and cooked quickly for browning, topped with cheese, and finished with the apples before serving on lightly toasted buns dressed with mayo and mustard.
FAQ
Why are turkey burgers often dry for kids?
Turkey burgers lack the fat content of beef, which means they dry out easily if overcooked or under-seasoned. This recipe compensates by adding grated onion to the patty and using melty cheese and apples for extra moisture.
Are turkey burgers good for toddlers?
Yes—turkey burgers for kids are a great option when cooked until fully done and served with soft, manageable textures. Smashing the patties thinner and compressing the finished burger makes them easier for toddlers to bite and chew.
Can I leave off the apples for picky eaters?
Absolutely. If this is your child’s first time with turkey burgers for kids, you can serve the apples on the side or skip them entirely. Many children warm up to the sweet-savory combo after one or two exposures.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can form the patties up to a day in advance and refrigerate them. Cooked burgers reheat best gently in a covered pan to avoid drying out.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With Turkey Burgers for Kids
- Air Fryer Fries for Kids — Classic, lightly crisp fries that feel familiar alongside burgers but stay soft enough for young eaters.
- Veggie Fries for Toddlers — A burger-night swap that delivers the fry experience with vegetables toddlers already recognize.
- Simple Guacamole for Kids — Creamy and mild, this works as a dip for fries or a spread on the bun for kids who like avocado.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- BBQ Turkey Burgers — A seasoning-forward turkey burger where the flavor is built into the patty rather than the toppings.
- Juicy Lucy — A classic beef burger stuffed with cheese.
- Infant Smashburger — Another lean-protein burger option that uses similar smash-and-cook techniques.
Cheddar and Apple Turkey Burgers For Kids
Description
These turkey burgers for kids are topped with melty cheddar and sweet grilled apple slices to add flavor, moisture, and excitement to a lean protein. It’s a simple upgrade that turns an often-boring turkey burger into a dinner toddlers actually want to eat.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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If using sundried tomatoes, chop them into small pieces.
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Add the turkey, paprika, sundreid tomatoes, and two pinches of salt to a bowl; grate the onion over the top of thej mixture. Using your hands, combine the ingredients until mixed; form four even patties, or make three larger and two smaller patties if your child tends to only eat a half burger.
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Turn the apple on its side and, starting slightly above the bottom end, make thin, vertical cuts to create circular pieces of apple roughly ⅛-inch thick. If there are pieces of the core at in the middle of the ring, remove and discard. Lightly glaze each piece with oil.
Cook and Assemble
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Heat a pan to Medium. Place apple rings into the pan and cook until soft, roughly two minutes per side. Remove from heat.
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Before cooking the burgers, prep the buns: lightly toast each side, then spread mayo on the bottom bun and mustard on the top bun.
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Increase heat to Medium High. Add a small pool of oil to the pan. Place patties in the pan and immediately smash down each; cook until the bottom sides of the patties are golden brown, roughly 3-4 minutes. Flip the patties, smash again; top each patty with a cheese slice, then cook for another minute.
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Top burgers with apple slices; press down on your child’s burger to compress.
Serve
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If this is the first time you’re making this, or your child favors a more a minimally-adorned burger, we recommended making a plain burger as a backup–or, at least, allowing your child say in how much cheese and/or apples you want on the burger.
Adapt
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You can use ground beef or pork here, but we recommend blue cheese–or blue cheese dressing–to keep the sweetness of the apple in check.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 5
Serving Size 1 burger (and bun)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 400kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 21g33%
- Sodium 200mg9%
- Potassium 420mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Protein 24g48%
- Vitamin A 180 IU
- Vitamin C 3.5 mg
- Calcium 210 mg
- Iron 2.6 mg
- Phosphorus 310 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
