Homemade Turkey Burger Bites

Here is my favorite turkey burger bites recipe, with juicy, seasoned ground turkey formed into small patties and cooked until golden brown, perfect for parties or quick weeknight dinners.

These turkey burger bites are always a hit with my kids and their friends. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so fast. Nothing better than finger food that’s actually good for you, right?

What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?

For these turkey burger bites, you’ll want to pay attention to the fat content when selecting your ground turkey. Ground turkey that’s 85/15 or 93/7 (lean to fat ratio) works great – the 85/15 will give you juicier bites, while 93/7 keeps things on the leaner side. Avoid the super lean 99/1 ground turkey if you can, as it tends to dry out quickly and won’t hold together as well when forming your bites. Most grocery stores carry ground turkey in the meat section right next to the ground beef, and it’s usually clearly labeled with the fat percentage on the package.

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe is great for swapping ingredients based on what you have in your kitchen:

• Ground turkey: You can easily swap ground turkey for ground chicken, lean ground beef, or even ground pork. Just keep in mind that turkey and chicken are leaner, so they might cook a bit faster than beef or pork.
• Feta cheese: Don’t have feta? Try goat cheese, ricotta, or even shredded mozzarella. If using a harder cheese like cheddar, you might want to mix it in while the meat is still warm so it melts nicely.
• Montreal seasoning: No Montreal seasoning on hand? Make your own blend with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and a pinch of salt. You could also use Italian seasoning, garlic powder with salt and pepper, or any all-purpose seasoning blend you like.
• Olive oil: Any cooking oil works here – vegetable oil, canola oil, or even butter if you prefer. Just use whatever you normally cook with.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake with turkey burger bites is overcooking them, since ground turkey can go from juicy to dry and crumbly in just a minute or two – use a meat thermometer and pull them off the heat once they hit 165°F.

Another common error is not letting your pan get hot enough before adding the bites, which leads to sticking and uneven browning, so make sure that olive oil is shimmering before you add the meat.

Don’t pack the turkey mixture too tightly when forming your bites, as this creates dense, tough results instead of tender ones, and be sure to mix the feta cheese gently to avoid breaking it down completely.

Finally, avoid overcrowding the pan since this steams the meat rather than giving you that nice golden crust you’re after – cook in batches if needed for the best results.

What to Serve With Turkey Burger Bites?

These turkey burger bites are perfect as appetizers for parties, but they also make a great light dinner when paired with the right sides. I love serving them with a simple Greek salad since the feta cheese in the bites already gives them that Mediterranean flavor – just toss some cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion with olive oil and lemon juice. For something more filling, try them over rice pilaf or with roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. You can also serve them with pita bread and tzatziki sauce for dipping, which really plays up those Greek flavors from the feta cheese.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: These turkey burger bites keep really well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. I like to make a big batch on Sunday and grab them throughout the week for quick lunches or snacks. They taste great cold or at room temperature too!

Freeze: You can definitely freeze these little bites for up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags or containers. I recommend freezing them on a baking sheet first, then transferring to bags so they don’t stick together. Perfect for meal prep when you want protein ready to go.

Warm Up: To enjoy them warm again, just pop them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or heat them up in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. If they’re frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight first, then warm them up the same way.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 70-80 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 5-10 g

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 tbsp olive oil, for frying
• 5 oz feta cheese
• 1 tsp montreal blend seasoning

Step 1: Mix the Patty Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 5 oz feta cheese
• 1 tsp Montreal blend seasoning

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, crumbled feta cheese, and Montreal blend seasoning.

Mix everything together thoroughly using your hands or a spatula until the ingredients are well incorporated.

I like to crumble the feta finely so it distributes evenly throughout the patties.

Step 2: Form the Turkey Patties

• turkey mixture (from Step 1)

Using your hands, shape the turkey mixture (from Step 1) into small, bite-sized patties.

Try to make them roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Place the formed patties on a plate or tray as you go.

Step 3: Fry the Patties

• 1 tbsp olive oil, for frying
• formed turkey patties (from Step 2)

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Once hot, add the patties (from Step 2) in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Fry each side for about 3–4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Ensure the patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving, as the turkey must be fully cooked.

I recommend letting the patties rest for a couple of minutes after frying to keep them juicy.