Make juicy Gluten-Free Mexican Turkey Burgers with peppers, cilantro, lime, cumin, and garlic, topped with a creamy mashed avocado spread for an easy and flavorful gluten-free dinner.
These Juicy Gluten-Free Mexican Turkey Burgers with Mashed Avocado Spread bring bold, fresh flavor to an easy homemade burger. Lean ground turkey is combined with red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, garlic, cilantro, lime, cumin, and oregano, creating tender patties with a bright Mexican-inspired flavor.
A simple mashed avocado spread adds a creamy finish with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and cumin. Serve these gluten-free turkey burgers on toasted gluten-free buns with fresh toppings, or skip the bun and pair them with grilled corn, salad, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato fries.
They are an easy choice for summer grilling, casual entertaining, meal prep, or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Yield: 4 turkey burgers
Ingredients
For the Mexican Turkey Burgers
1 medium red onion, cut into quarters, divided
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup certified gluten-free plain breadcrumbs
1 pound lean ground turkey breast
Cooking spray or neutral oil, for the grill or grill pan
For the Mashed Avocado Spread
1/2 ripe avocado, mashed
1 tablespoon finely minced reserved red onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
For Serving, Optional
4 gluten-free hamburger buns, toasted
Sliced tomatoes
Fresh cilantro
Sliced jalapeños
Lime wedges
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Set aside 1 quarter of the red onion for the avocado spread.
Place the remaining red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, oregano, cumin, and kosher salt in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped but not puréed.
If the mixture releases a noticeable amount of liquid, transfer it to a fine mesh strainer and gently drain the excess.
If you do not have a food processor, finely mince the vegetables, garlic, and cilantro by hand, then combine them with the lime juice and seasonings.
Step 2: Mix the Turkey Burgers
Transfer the prepared vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Add the gluten-free breadcrumbs and ground turkey.
Using clean hands or a fork, gently combine everything just until evenly incorporated. Avoid overmixing or compacting the turkey, which can result in firm, dense burgers.
Step 3: Shape and Chill the Patties
Divide the turkey mixture evenly into 4 portions. Gently shape each portion into a patty approximately 3/4 inch thick.
Place the patties on a parchment-lined plate or tray. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape during cooking.
Step 4: Prepare the Mashed Avocado Spread
Finely mince the reserved quarter of red onion.
Place the mashed avocado in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the minced red onion, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, and kosher salt.
Stir until creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust the lime juice or salt as desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 5: Preheat the Grill
Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Clean the grill grates if necessary and lightly coat them with cooking spray or neutral oil to help prevent the turkey patties from sticking.
Step 6: Grill the Turkey Burgers
Place the chilled turkey patties on the hot grill. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes on the first side without repeatedly moving or pressing down on them.
Flip the burgers once and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes.
The burgers are ready when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each patty registers 165°F.
Step 7: Assemble the Burgers
Let the cooked turkey burgers rest for a few minutes.
Place each burger on a toasted gluten-free hamburger bun and spoon the mashed avocado spread over the top.
Add sliced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or other desired toppings. Serve immediately with lime wedges, if desired.
For a bunless option, serve the burgers topped with avocado spread alongside grilled corn, a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or sweet potato fries.
Notes
Use certified gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free hamburger buns if you need the entire meal to remain strictly gluten-free. Crushed gluten-free crackers can be substituted for the breadcrumbs.
Ground turkey breast is very lean, so handle the mixture gently. Mixing only until the ingredients are combined helps maintain a tender burger texture.
For spicier Mexican turkey burgers, leave some of the jalapeño membrane and seeds intact or add a small amount of ground chipotle or chili powder to the turkey mixture.
The turkey burgers can also be cooked in a lightly oiled skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook them until browned on both sides and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
The patties can be shaped ahead of time and kept covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Keep raw turkey properly refrigerated and separate from ready-to-eat ingredients.
Prepare the avocado spread close to serving time for the freshest flavor and color. If making it ahead, press plastic wrap directly against the surface and refrigerate until needed.
Store leftover cooked turkey burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Store leftover avocado spread separately and use it as soon as possible for the best flavor and appearance.
