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These Greek turkey burgers are an easy way to make burger night feel a little more interesting. Feta, chopped olives, fresh herbs, garlic, and warm spices are mixed into every bite, and the patties cook in about 8 to 12 minutes after a short chill in the refrigerator.

Greek turkey burger on a sesame bun with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and tzatziki, with another burger in the background.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

Recipe Name: Greek Turkey Burgers
Ready In: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 burgers
Main Ingredients: ground turkey, crumbled feta, green or Kalamata olives, red onion, red bell pepper, fresh parsley, fresh dill, extra virgin olive oil
Why You'll Love It: These Greek turkey burgers combine feta, olives, fresh herbs, vegetables, and savory spices in tender patties you can cook in a skillet or on the grill.

This is the burger my family and friends keeps asking me to make. It is a fun switch from the usual burger night, but it still feels familiar enough that you can set out buns, pita, lettuce wraps, and toppings and let everyone build their own.

The feta and olives bring plenty of salty, savory flavor, while red bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and dill keep the patties from tasting heavy. Serve them with tzatziki and crisp vegetables for an easy dinner that works just as well indoors as it does on the grill, with the same fresh, herby, mediterranean turkey burger appeal you’re after, just with a little more Greek flair.

Is This the Right Recipe for You?
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers
Expert Tips
Substitutions and Variations
Storage and Make-Ahead
What to Serve With Greek Turkey Burgers
Frequently Asked Questions
More Greek and Mediterranean Recipes
Greek Turkey Burgers Recipe

Is This the Right Recipe for You?

Bold Greek flavor. Feta, olives, herbs, garlic, and warm spices are mixed into every patty.
A softer burger mixture. The vegetables, cheese, and herbs make the patties more delicate than beef burgers, so chilling is important.
A little planning helps. Allow at least 20 minutes for the shaped patties to firm up before cooking.
Flexible cooking options. Make them in a skillet, on a grill pan, or outside on the grill.
Best for olive lovers. The olives are chopped finely, but their briny flavor still comes through.
More Greek than Mediterranean. If a mediterranean turkey burger sounds appealing, this version pushes the flavor further with feta, olives, and warmer spices.

Greek turkey burger cut in half to show the cooked patty, topped with cucumber, tzatziki, tomato, and lettuce on a toasted bun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into these turkey feta burgers, and why each ingredient earns its spot.

Ground turkey: The base of the burgers. A one-pound package makes four patties.
Feta cheese: Crumbles soften slightly as the burgers cook and add salty, tangy flavor.
Green or Kalamata olives: Chop them small so their briny flavor is spread evenly through each burger.
Red onion: Adds a little sharpness without taking over the patties.
Red bell pepper: Brings color, mild sweetness, and a little texture.
Fresh parsley and dill: These fresh herbs give the burgers their bright Greek-inspired flavor.
Extra virgin olive oil: One tablespoon adds moisture and richness to the turkey mixture. The remaining tablespoon is used for the skillet method.
Garlic: Two cloves give the patties a savory base.
Salt and black pepper: Season the turkey and balance the feta and olives.
Sweet paprika: Adds warmth and color without making the burgers spicy.
Cumin and dried oregano: Round out the seasoning with earthy, Mediterranean flavor.
For serving: Choose buns, pita, or lettuce wraps, then add tzatziki or tahini and vegetables such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, and cucumber.

How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers

These burgers come together easily once the vegetables and herbs are chopped, and the short chill makes the patties much easier to cook and flip.

Ground turkey, feta, olives, red onion, red bell pepper, herbs, garlic, and spices in a mixing bowl before combining.

Step 1: Mix the burger mixture

Add the ground turkey, feta, olives, red onion, bell pepper, parsley, dill, 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, salt, paprika, cumin, oregano, and black pepper to a large bowl. Mix with a fork or your hands just until everything is evenly combined.

The mixture will be softer than a beef burger mixture because of the vegetables, herbs, and feta. Stop mixing once there are no large pockets of plain turkey left.

Pro Tip: Chop the olives, onion, pepper, and herbs fairly small. Large pieces can make the patties harder to shape and more likely to break apart.

Four shaped Greek turkey burger patties on a plate before chilling.

Step 2: Shape and chill the patties

Divide the mixture into four equal portions, then gently shape each one into a patty about 1/2 inch thick. Press the edges together if you see any loose pieces.

Place the patties on a plate or small sheet pan and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours. The patties should feel noticeably firmer after chilling.

Pro Tip: Shape the patties before chilling rather than chilling the whole bowl. This makes them easier to transfer straight from the refrigerator to the pan or grill.

Greek turkey burger patties cooking in a skillet, with one patty flipped to show a browned crust.

Step 3: Cook in a skillet

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chilled patties and cook for 5 to 6 minutes without moving them.

Once the bottoms are browned and the patties release more easily from the pan, carefully flip them with a wide spatula. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, until the centers reach 165°F.

Pro Tip: If a patty resists when you try to flip it, give it another minute. It will usually release more easily once a crust has formed.

Greek turkey burger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and tzatziki, served with sweet potato fries.

Step 4: Or cook the burgers on the grill

Preheat the grill for direct medium heat. Add the chilled patties and cook for 4 to 6 minutes without moving them.

Flip them only once if possible and handle them gently. Cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, until the centers reach 165°F.

Step 5: Add the toppings

Serve the burgers on buns, tucked into pita, or wrapped in lettuce. Add tzatziki or tahini, then finish with lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion, or any combination you like.

Expert Tips

Drain the olives well. Extra brine adds moisture to an already soft burger mixture, so let the olives drain before chopping them.
Use cold ingredients. Keep the turkey, feta, and chopped mix-ins refrigerated until you are ready to combine them. A colder mixture is easier to shape and handle.
Do not press the burgers while they cook. Pressing can push moisture out of the turkey and loosen the feta and vegetables around the surface.

Substitutions and Variations

Use ground chicken. Ground chicken works in place of turkey, although the mixture may feel slightly softer. Chill the shaped patties well before cooking.
Switch the olives. Green olives are generally milder, while Kalamata olives have a deeper, more pronounced briny flavor.
Leave out the olives. Replace them with a little extra finely chopped red bell pepper or red onion so the burgers still have plenty of texture.
Swap the feta for goat cheese. Crumbled goat cheese gives the patties a softer texture and a tangier flavor.
Use sun-dried tomatoes instead of bell pepper. Replace the bell pepper with 2 tablespoons finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Drain oil-packed tomatoes well before adding them.
Add a little heat. Mix in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or serve the burgers with a spicy feta or yogurt sauce.

Storage and Make-Ahead

Make ahead: Shape the patties up to 4 hours before cooking and keep them uncovered in the refrigerator, as directed in the recipe.

Refrigerate: Store cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Freeze cooked and cooled patties in a freezer-safe container with parchment between the layers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat: Warm the burgers in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with a small splash of water, or microwave until heated through. Avoid high heat, which can dry out the turkey.

What to Serve With Greek Turkey Burgers

Keep the sides fresh and simple, or add potatoes when you want a more traditional burger-night plate.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Feta: A crisp, juicy salad that echoes the feta and fresh vegetables in the burgers.
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad: A hearty make-ahead salad with plenty of texture and bright flavor.
Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries: An easy oven-baked side when you still want fries with your burger.
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables: A colorful vegetable side that works especially well with bunless burgers or pita.
Cucumber, Dill, Feta and Pistachio Salad: A cool, crunchy option with flavors that naturally fit this meal.
Baked Seasoned Pita Chips: Serve them with hummus or extra tzatziki while the burgers cook.

Greek turkey burger topped with cucumber and tzatziki on a sesame bun, served with sweet potato fries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Greek turkey burgers made of?

Greek turkey burgers, sometimes called turkey feta burgers, are made with ground turkey, feta, olives, red onion, red bell pepper, parsley, dill, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The ingredients are mixed directly into the patties so the flavor is spread throughout.

How do you keep Greek turkey burgers from falling apart?

To keep Greek turkey burgers from falling apart, finely chop the vegetables and olives, avoid overmixing the meat, and refrigerate the shaped patties for at least 20 minutes. Cook them without moving them too soon, then use a wide spatula to carefully flip each burger.

Do turkey burgers need egg or breadcrumbs?

Turkey burgers do not always need egg or breadcrumbs. These Greek turkey burgers hold together without either because the patties are shaped gently, chilled before cooking, and flipped only after the first side has browned. Finely chopping the mix-ins also helps the patties stay intact.

What temp should turkey burgers be cooked to?

Turkey burgers should be cooked to an internal temp of 165°F. Insert an instant-read thermometer horizontally into the thickest part of the patty to check the center. Remove the burgers from the heat once they reach 165°F so the turkey does not become dry.

How long do you cook Greek turkey burgers?

Greek turkey burgers cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side in a skillet or 4 to 6 minutes per side on an outdoor grill. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the patties and the heat level, so always confirm doneness with a thermometer.

More Greek and Mediterranean Recipes

Keep the bright herbs, feta, olives, and fresh vegetables going with these easy Greek and Mediterranean-inspired recipes.

Greek Stuffed Peppers: Tender bell peppers filled with ground meat, chickpeas, rice, herbs, and feta, then cooked in the air fryer for an easy dinner.
Baked Mediterranean Chicken: A one-skillet chicken dinner with lemon, garlic, oregano, vegetables, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Mediterranean Chicken Bowl: Seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, grains, feta, and creamy tzatziki come together in a colorful meal-prep-friendly bowl.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: A fresh chopped salad with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, and a simple red wine vinaigrette.

If you made these Greek Turkey Burgers, be sure to leave a comment and a star rating below. I love hearing how they turned out for you!

Greek Turkey Burgers