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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Servings 5
Serving Size 1 burger (and bun)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
