Is it burger night? Skip the traditional beef burgers and serve one of these great options alongside a turkey or chicken burger tonight! Here are 25 perfect side dishes for your summer cookout.

A collage of health side dishes for turkey burgers.

We are eating healthier and choosing lots of vegetables, salads and classic sides for dinner.

While I love to sink my teeth into a classic burger for dinner, sometimes we like to switch things up.

Gone are the days when the alternatives were dry turkey or chicken burgers.

Today, there are lots of tips for making chicken or turkey into the juiciest, best burgers.

The seasonings and ingredients used for making the patties is key.

Read on for the secret to delicious juicy burgers. Your taste buds will thank you.

Simple ingredients for turkey burgers

To make delicious turkey burgers, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ground turkey or chicken: Start with lean ground turkey meat. Ground chicken is also a great alternative to ground beef.

Breadcrumbs: These help bind the mixture together.

Egg: Acts as a binder.

Onion: Finely chopped for flavor.

Garlic: Minced for extra taste.

Fresh vegetables. Finely diced to add to the ground meat mixture. Vegetables like zucchini, squash and mushrooms are examples that add moisture to every bite.

Salt and black pepper: Season to your liking.

Herbs and spices: Consider adding dried oregano, thyme, or paprika.

Oil or cooking spray: For grilling or pan-frying.

Burger buns: To serve your turkey burgers.

While there are many ways to cook turkey burgers, I like to use the stove top and oven to make healthy turkey burgers when the weather is colder.

In the summer months when the whole family is home, I like to cook outside.

There are many different ways to cook turkey burgers.

Grilled Burgers: Grill them outdoors for a smoky flavor. Use a grill pan or barbecue grill. Serve on whole wheat buns with your favorite toppings.
Skillet Burgers: These juicy burgers are cooked in a cast iron skillet with a well-browned crust.
Air Fryer Turkey Burgers: Cook fresh or frozen turkey burgers in an air fryer for a quick and crispy option.
Oven-Baked Burgers: Place them on a baking sheet and bake in the oven until fully cooked.

Two cooked chicken burgers in an air basket.

How to make juicy turkey burgers

This healthy turkey burger recipe is simple to make and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

First preheat the oven.

Next, shred some vegetables using an old fashioned cheese grater or small food processor.

Mix together with the ground turkey or chicken, spices, egg, onion and breadcrumbs.

Mold the mixture into chicken or turkey burger patties.

On medium to medium-high heat in a skillet, sear the patties for 3-4 minutes a side in a little olive oil.

Once each burger patty is golden, transfer the turkey patties to a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8 minutes.

Add cheese to the top of each patty and bake for 2 minutes longer.

Finally, serve these easy turkey burgers on your favorite hamburger buns with your favorite toppings.

A ranch seasoned chicken burger on a wooden board.

Add your favorite toppings

The burger toppings for chicken and turkey burgers are endless. Try a few of these variations.

Avocado slices and fried crispy bacon.
Tzatziki sauce with Greek yogurt or bbq sauce.
Cheddar, mozzarella or Swiss cheese.
Chipotle mayonnaise or garlic aioli.
Sweet honey jam, fig spread or fruity jalapeño jam adds the best flavor.
Lettuce, red onion and tomato. Or try a lettuce wrap. Skip the cheese and buns and serve on lettuce leaves with a dollop of your favorite jam.

What is the difference between a turkey burger and chicken burger?

Turkey burgers are made from lean ground turkey meat, which tends to be lower in fat than chicken.

Chicken burgers, on the other hand, are typically made from ground chicken.

Both options offer a healthier alternative to beef burgers, but turkey burgers are often leaner and have a milder flavor.

Try one of these easy sides

Here are the best healthy side dishes to complement your burgers.

BAKED BBQ SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Sweet and spicy, sweet potatoes are made into chips and tossed in a barbecue seasoning and baked to perfection. Or grab a bag of your favorite sweet potato fries from the frozen food aisle of the grocery store.

EASY ASIAN SLAW

This crunchy Chinese slaw recipe with ramen noodles is sweet and delicious and ideal for a side dish alongside a good burger.

PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

This Italian pasta salad combines summer’s favorite vegetables with chopped salami, black olives, rotini noodles and tangy Italian dressing.

EASY COUSCOUS WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES, LEMON & GOAT CHEESE

This couscous with grilled vegetables features zucchini, squash, asparagus, red peppers and mushrooms and is tossed with lemon and goat cheese for delicious flavor.

CHEESY EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

This cheesy eggplant and zucchini casserole recipe celebrates the flavors of summer and. Use up your garden veggies in this hearty dish sprinkled with Italian seasoning.

A spoon nestled in a eggplant and zucchini casserole pan

EASY REFRIGERATOR DILL PICKLES

This easy refrigerator dill pickles recipe (small batch) is made using fresh cucumbers in a flavorful brine – no canning required.

EASY WATERMELON ARUGULA SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE

Sweet watermelon, juicy cucumber and salty feta cheese are the perfect flavor combination nestled on top of peppery arugula.

A watermelon and arugula salad with feta cheese

TOMATOES CAPRESE SALAD

A classic Italian salad of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh picked basil is drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar glaze for the ultimate summer side dish.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH A TOMATO CAPRESE

Another family favorite that uses fresh tomatoes, eggplant and mozzarella that is easy to make on the grill.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH PANKO AND PARMESAN

Cauliflower dredged in panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and roasted until nutty brown transforms this bland vegetable into something irresistible that no one can turn down.

A pan of roasted panko crusted cauliflower

GRILLED FRUIT KABOBS

Have your ever grilled fruit kabobs? Grill your favorite fruit like peaches, watermelon, strawberries and kiwi and drizzle them with mint and balsamic glaze for a delicious dessert or side dish.

EASY ANCIENT GRAINS SALAD WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES

Made with roasted vegetables, mild sorghum, protein- packed quinoa and whole grain brown rice, this side dish is tossed with goat cheese. It’s one of our favorite healthy side dishes.

A bowl of grilled vegetables over ancient grains

FRESH SWEETCORN SALAD

Enjoy summer’s bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables with a corn salad featuring sweet cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, fresh mozzarella and homegrown basil.

A sweet corn salad with tomatoes and sweet peppers.

EASY BAKED LEMON RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Enjoy dinner with the tangy flavor of lemon in a baked lemon risotto featuring asparagus and peas.

A bowl of lemon risotto with asparagus and peas.

THE BEST GRILLED ZUCCHINI WITH FETA & PINE NUTS

This recipe of grilled zucchini with feta and pine nuts makes grilling out easy and delicious.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA SALAD

Bring home the flavors of the Mediterranean in this easy and healthy chickpea salad.

TOMATO, FRESH MOZZARELLA AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

This tomato arugula salad is loaded with sweet summer tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh grown basil.

Overhead view of a tomato salad with arugula and mozzarella cheese balls

EASY PINEAPPLE PICO DE GALLO SALSA RECIPE

Enjoy the sweet flavors of the tropics with this homemade fresh Pineapple Pico de Gallo recipe. Eat it with chips, on the side or spoon it over your favorite grilled turkey or chicken burger.

WILD RICE SALAD

This wild rice salad with carrots, toasted pecans, crunchy pepitas and sweet cranberries can be ready in 20 minutes served warm or cold.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

Each spoonful is bursting with the sweet and tart flavor of fresh tomatoes and the salty smoky flavor of bacon.

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