If you ask me, breakfast burgers are a brilliant way to start the day.
These protein-packed patties make a hearty morning meal that’s full of savory flavor. Ground turkey seasoned with breakfast spices gets formed into patties and cooked until golden brown.
They’re topped with a runny fried egg and served on a toasted English muffin with crispy bacon. A slice of melted cheese and a dollop of hot sauce help bring everything together.
It’s a filling breakfast that feels like a treat, perfect for weekend mornings when you want something special.
Why You’ll Love These Breakfast Turkey Burgers
- High-protein breakfast – With lean ground turkey and eggs, these burgers pack plenty of protein to keep you full and energized all morning long.
- Sweet and savory flavors – The maple syrup and whole grain mustard create the perfect balance that makes breakfast feel special without being too heavy.
- Healthier than traditional burgers – Using lean turkey instead of beef and whole grain English muffins makes this a lighter option that doesn’t sacrifice taste.
- Weekend brunch worthy – These burgers look impressive enough for hosting but are simple enough to make for your family on a lazy Saturday morning.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prep the turkey patties the night before, so all you need to do is cook them and assemble in the morning.
What Kind of Ground Turkey Should I Use?
For these breakfast burgers, you’ll want to stick with lean ground turkey – somewhere between 90-93% lean works perfectly. The leaner meat helps keep the burgers from getting too greasy, especially since you’re already adding bacon to the mix. If you can only find regular ground turkey (which is usually around 85% lean), that’ll work too, but you might want to drain off any excess fat while cooking. Just avoid the super lean 99% fat-free turkey since it can make your burgers a bit dry and tough. Most grocery stores carry the 93% lean variety, which gives you the best balance of flavor and health benefits.
Options for Substitutions
This breakfast burger recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:
- Ground turkey: If you don’t have ground turkey, lean ground chicken works great too. You could even use ground beef (85% lean) if that’s what you have on hand, though the flavor will be a bit richer.
- White cheddar cheese: Any good melting cheese will work here – try sharp cheddar, Swiss, or even pepper jack for a little kick. Just make sure to grate it fresh for the best melting.
- English muffins: Brioche buns, bagels, or even toasted sourdough slices make tasty alternatives. Just pick something sturdy enough to hold all the toppings.
- Whole grain mustard: Regular Dijon mustard or even yellow mustard can step in if that’s what you have. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
- Arugula: Spinach, mixed greens, or even crispy lettuce work perfectly fine. Pick whatever greens you enjoy or have in your fridge.
- Bacon: Turkey bacon or Canadian bacon are good alternatives, or you can skip it entirely if you want to keep things lighter.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake with turkey burgers is overcooking them, which turns these lean patties into dry hockey pucks – since turkey has less fat than beef, cook them just until they reach 165°F and no further.
Another common error is pressing down on the patties while they cook, which squeezes out all the juices and leaves you with tough, dry burgers instead of juicy ones.
To prevent your burgers from falling apart on the grill, make sure your turkey mixture is well-chilled before forming patties, and create a small indent in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up into a dome shape.
Don’t forget to let the bacon get crispy before removing it from the pan, and save some of that bacon fat to cook your eggs – it adds incredible flavor to the whole breakfast sandwich.
What to Serve With Breakfast Turkey Burgers?
These breakfast turkey burgers are pretty hearty on their own, but I love serving them with crispy breakfast potatoes or hash browns on the side. You could also go with fresh fruit like sliced oranges or berries to balance out all those rich flavors from the bacon and cheese. If you want something lighter, a simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette works great too. For a true breakfast feast, consider adding some roasted tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms alongside your burger.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: These breakfast turkey burgers are great for meal prep! Store the cooked patties in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. I like to keep them separate from the toppings so everything stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked turkey patties for up to 3 months wrapped individually in plastic wrap or stored in freezer bags. I often make a double batch and freeze half for busy mornings when I need a quick protein-packed breakfast.
Warm Up: To enjoy your stored burgers, just warm the patties in a skillet over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, or microwave them for 30-60 seconds. Then fry up a fresh egg and assemble your burger with all the fixings for that perfect breakfast sandwich experience.
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-70 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 90-100 g
- Fat: 80-90 g
- Carbohydrates: 140-160 g
Ingredients
For the turkey patties:
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean preferred)
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- Canola oil, for grilling
For the maple-mustard sauce:
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- Pinch kosher salt
For assembly:
- 4 whole grain english muffins
- 4 large eggs
- Fresh arugula
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
- 4 slices bacon
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and set an ovenproof baking rack on top.
Arrange the 4 slices of bacon in a single layer on the rack.
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until crisp, adjusting the time as needed depending on the thickness of your bacon.
Remove the bacon from the rack and transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
Lightly pat dry to remove any excess grease.
Step 2: Prepare the Maple Mustard Sauce
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- pinch kosher salt
In a small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard, and a pinch of kosher salt.
Whisk until smooth and set aside for assembling the burgers later.
Step 3: Mix and Shape the Turkey Patties
- 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean preferred)
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground turkey, remaining 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard, minced garlic, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika.
Be careful not to overmix, to ensure juicy burgers.
Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties, forming them just until combined so they hold together but aren’t compacted.
Step 4: Grill the Turkey Burgers and Toast the Muffins
- canola oil, for grilling
- turkey patties from Step 3
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 whole grain English muffins
Lightly oil the grill grates with canola oil.
Place the turkey patties from Step 3 on the grill and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, flipping once, until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
In the last minute of cooking, sprinkle the grated sharp white cheddar cheese on top of each patty to melt.
If desired, split the English muffins and lightly toast them on the grill while the burgers finish cooking.
Transfer the cooked burgers to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Step 5: Fry the Eggs
- 4 large eggs
While the burgers rest, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with cooking spray or a touch of oil.
Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook them sunny side up or over-easy, depending on your preference for yolk doneness.
I like my eggs with a runny yolk so it mingles deliciously with the burger!
Step 6: Assemble the Breakfast Burgers
- maple mustard sauce from Step 2
- fresh arugula
- turkey patties with melted cheese from Step 4
- fried eggs from Step 5
- bacon from Step 1
- English muffins from Step 4
To assemble the burgers, start by spreading a bit of the maple mustard sauce from Step 2 on the bottom half of each toasted English muffin.
Top with a handful of fresh arugula, then add one turkey patty with melted cheese from Step 4.
Place a fried egg from Step 5 on top of each patty, then finish with a slice of crispy bacon from Step 1.
Cap each burger with the other half of the English muffin and serve immediately for the best experience.
