BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw Recipe

Meet your new cookout favorite: BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw! Juicy, flavorful turkey patties, a sweet-tangy coleslaw, and all the fixings piled on a soft bun—this recipe is summery, satisfying, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser whether it’s weeknight dinner or weekend grilling time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw recipe keeps things refreshingly simple—each ingredient pulls double-duty for flavor, juiciness, or crunch. Here’s why they matter, and a little know-how for the best results.

• Lean ground turkey (1 lb., 93% lean): The perfect blend for juicy, flavorful patties that stay tender but never greasy.
• Prepared BBQ sauce (¼ cup): Infuses smoky-sweet flavor directly into the meat, making the burgers unforgettable.
• Shredded cheddar cheese (¼ cup): Adds pockets of melty goodness—feel free to play with the cheese type or skip if you’re dairy-free.
• Paprika (1 tsp): Gives the burgers a subtle, earthy warmth and a touch of that smoky BBQ magic.
• Onion powder (½ tsp): Layers in savory undertones without the fuss of chopping onions.
• Kosher salt (¼ tsp) & Black pepper (¼ tsp): Because every great burger starts with perfect seasoning.
• Canola oil (1 tbsp): Ensures patties cook up golden and juicy—avocado oil or olive oil also work great.
• Pre-shredded coleslaw mix (1 bag, 12 oz.): All the color and crunch you want, without any prep—bonus points for pretty purple cabbage.
• Mayonnaise (½ cup): The creamy base for the slaw—use regular or low-fat, whatever’s in the fridge.
• Granulated sugar (2 tbsp): Sweetens the slaw, rounding out the acidity and making it utterly irresistible.
• Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp): Gives the slaw that characteristic twang; white vinegar also gets the job done.
• Yellow mustard (1 tsp): A pop of color and zip to wake up the slaw—and your tastebuds!
• Kosher salt (½ tsp) & Black pepper (¼ tsp): Essential for slaw balance and bite.
• Burger buns (4): Soft yet sturdy enough to hold all the saucy, slaw-topped deliciousness.
• Optional toppings: Sliced cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickled red onions, extra BBQ sauce, or ketchup—go wild!

Variations

One of the joys of BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw is how easy it is to make it your own. Mix and match according to what’s in the fridge or tailor it for food allergies, spice lovers, or picky eaters—everyone’s happy!

• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños to the turkey mixture or use a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce for a little heat.
• Dairy-Free: Omit the cheese and use vegan mayo for a perfectly creamy, plant-based slaw and burger.
• Low-Carb: Swap out the buns for lettuce wraps or serve the burgers over a giant slaw salad for a carb-smart twist.
• Cheese Swap: Monterey Jack and pepper Jack both add a new layer of flavor and melt beautifully into the patties.
• Extra Veggies: Tuck in sliced avocados, cucumbers, or shredded carrots for color and crunch.

How to Make BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw

Step 1: Mix Up the Zesty Coleslaw

Start by whisking mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until the sugar’s dissolved and everything is creamy and smooth. Fold in the coleslaw mix and stir until every shred is coated. Let this chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes; the flavors infuse and the crunch gets even better.

Step 2: Prepare the BBQ Turkey Burger Patties

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, BBQ sauce, shredded cheddar, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a fork first to gently bring everything together, then switch to your (clean!) hands for just a few folds—overworking makes the burgers tough, so keep it light.

Step 3: Shape and Cook the Burgers

Divide the turkey mixture into four patties of even thickness. Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium heat or fire up a well-oiled grill. Cook the burgers for 6–7 minutes on one side, flip, and go another 5–6 minutes, until the edges are crisp and the centers are cooked through. Add sliced cheese after flipping if you love that extra melt!

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Toast your burger buns if you’d like, then build your BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw: patty first, a mountain of slaw, and all your favorite toppings. Smear on extra BBQ sauce or ketchup, pop on that fluffy bun top, and you’re ready to dig in.

How to Serve BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw

Garnishes

Just before serving, make your BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw really pop with extra fresh garnishes—think freshly cracked black pepper, thin-sliced green onions, or a few slices of ripe tomato. A sprinkle of chopped parsley or a tiny hit of flaky sea salt on the slaw takes these burgers from great to wow.

Side Dishes

Is there anything better than burgers and fries? Serve these beauties alongside crispy sweet potato wedges, grilled corn on the cob, or a simple summer salad for freshness. For grown-up gatherings, offer up a pitcher of lemonade or cold beers to seal the deal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful spin, make slider-sized BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw for party platters, or stack the burgers open-faced with a generous spoonful of slaw for a knife-and-fork affair. Feeling extra? Layer everything in a tortilla and turn it into a BBQ turkey burger wrap—picnic perfection!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Stash leftover burger patties and slaw in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The burgers keep well for 3–4 days, while the slaw stays crisp and tangy for 2–3—just give the slaw a quick toss before serving again.

Freezing

Freeze the cooked BBQ turkey patties (without slaw) by wrapping them individually and sealing in a freezer bag. They’ll keep their juicy flavor for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the burger patties in a covered skillet over medium-low with a splash of water or BBQ sauce, or microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through. The slaw is best cold or at room temperature—just stir before serving!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a burger that brings big flavor, crunch, and a little Southern twang, BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw are your next must-make. Try them at your next backyard get-together or weeknight family meal—you’ll get rave reviews and probably a request for seconds!

BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 96 reviews

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Grilling, Pan-Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

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Description

These BBQ Turkey Burgers with Slaw are a delicious twist on the classic burger, featuring juicy ground turkey patties infused with BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese, served on buns with a tangy coleslaw.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the burgers:

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey (such as 93% lean)
• 1/4 cup prepared BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

For the coleslaw:

• 1 (12 oz.) bag of coleslaw
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (low-fat is fine)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or plain vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For serving:

• 4 burger buns
• Optional toppings: sliced cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, pickled red onions, BBQ sauce or ketchup, etc.

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Instructions

1. To make the coleslaw: Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well to combine and dissolve the sugar. Add the coleslaw and stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, to allow the flavors to combine.
2. To make the burgers: Combine the ground turkey, BBQ sauce, cheese, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir first with a fork to mix, then use your hands to finish combining the ingredients. Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties. Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through. Alternatively, grill the patties on a well-greased grill over medium-high heat. Add cheese on top of the burgers if desired.
3. Serve: Place the cooked burgers on buns, add desired toppings, and top with coleslaw.

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Notes

• Cheese: You can skip or substitute the cheddar cheese in the burger patties with Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 burger with coleslaw
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 80mg