In their younger and (even) more vulnerable days, a burger is simply a burger to a toddler—pretty much anything between two buns can count and satisfy. But as they grow and their tastes harden, a burger is specifically a burger—sometimes only the taste and texture of beef will do. You may not easily convince them otherwise.
But, you know, you also may not want to eat ground red meat as often as your child does; we sure didn’t. So we innovated this toddler turkey burger, and not just for a change of pace; we wanted no change in taste–that is, we wanted a non-burger burger our son would devour, even crave. It’s a touch sweet and very savory; it has a lot more flavor and juiciness than you might expect from boring ol’ turkey. We can’t promise this toddler turkey burger will fool your seemingly cosmopolitan child about its provenance; it can’t, and wasn’t designed to. What we can promise is something better: a dinner winner that, if not the same or even as good as a beef burger, is also something new and exciting, another option that can easily convince the whole family that turkey burgers are exciting.
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The toddler turkey burger offers a fresh spin on the classic burger, tailored for little hands and developing taste buds. It’s grounded in flavorful ground turkey, enriched with a tangy barbecue-style aioli and breadcrumbs for juicy texture. Though billed as a toddler-friendly version, this burger is satisfying enough for grown‐ups, too. According to the site, they aimed for “a change of pace; we wanted no change in taste… a non-burger burger our son would devour” (from the recipe description). In other words: this is a burger that doesn’t compromise fun and flavor just because it’s being made for a toddler. It’s simple, approachable, and flexible to fit family dinners, picky-eater tweaks, or even as lunch leftovers.
Q: At what age is this toddler turkey burger appropriate?
A: While every child is different, once toddlers are comfortable with soft, chewable ground meat and bite-sized pieces, this type of burger can work well. The recipe is in the “Toddler Favorite” category on the site. New Dad's Kitchen
Q: Should I omit the bun for very young toddlers?
A: Yes. If your toddler hasn’t mastered handling buns yet, you could serve the patty alone, in a lettuce wrap, or even broken into bite-sized chunks alongside soft sides. The site suggests serving in/on rice or pasta too. New Dad's Kitchen
Q: Is ground turkey a safe and healthy choice versus beef?
A: Ground turkey typically offers less saturated fat than many beef options and still provides solid protein. The recipe writer mentions choosing turkey “not just for a change of pace” but to serve something a little lighter while keeping flavor. New Dad's Kitchen
Q: How can I make sure the burgers don’t fall apart or become dry?
A: The recipe uses panko breadcrumbs to bind the mixture and suggests mixing until combined but not overly. Also, the addition of aioli helps maintain moisture. New Dad's Kitchen
Q: How can I adapt this toddler turkey burger for older kids or the whole family?
A: Increase the patty size, load up on toppings, or pair with heartier sides. The base recipe works for the whole family; the site even mentions that the whole family can enjoy the turkey burger.
Because no one eats just a burger—especially not a toddler who’ll take three bites and then demand something else—you’ll want sides that are soft, simple, and low-stress.
Start with a guaranteed win: The Most Perfect Toddler Rice Recipe. It’s sticky enough for little hands, mild enough for picky eaters, and makes a great base if your kid prefers their burger broken into pieces and mixed in.
If you need something with crunch (but still toddler-friendly), try The Veggie Fries Your Kid Will Actually Eat. They deliver that fry vibe without the grease, and they’re just as good dipped in ketchup or the leftover burger aioli.
For something lighter and fresh, pair the burger with Easy Watermelon and Feta Salad for Kids. The sweet-salty combo works surprisingly well next to savory turkey, and it’s a good way to sneak in some hydration on hot days.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus--well, at least, if you mean there is a way to make turkey burgers taste great, even to and for a child. Our secret? We infuse the meat with barbecue sauce and mayo to create a tangy and rich meat treat, one your toddler will know is not beef--and won't care.
We like these on a bun with a bit of mayo (see step #8); our child likes adding his usual mustard and ketchup to the mix but usually downs about 3/4th of an adult size burger. You can also serve mashed up in/on rice or pasta; if you’re feeling virtuous, they taste just fine nestled in a large leaf of romaine, bibb, or boston lettuces.
For more heft and/or nutrition, add chopped up spinach and cheese to the grind before cooking. Want to use chicken instead? Go for it–just stick to about two minutes per side to ensure the patty is not overcooked.
Servings 6
Serving Size 1/2 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.
