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    Home » Recipes » Sandwiches

    Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzadiki Sauce

    Published: Jun 10, 2021 · Modified: Jul 14, 2025 · by Renée B. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach, Feta & Tzadiki Sauce

    These Greek Turkey Burgers are bursting with Mediterranean flavor and topped with fresh veggies, creamy homemade tzatziki, and tangy feta. A quick, healthy weeknight meal the whole family will love—on the table in about 30 minutes!

    Close-up of a Greek Turkey Burger on a tray, with spinach leaves, feta around base.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Greek Turkey Burgers
    • How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers
    • Burger Tips, Swaps & Variations
    • What to Serve with Greek Turkey Burgers
    • Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzadiki Sauce

    Savory, juicy, and loaded with Mediterranean flair, these Greek Turkey Burgers are one of our favorite fast, flavorful dinners. With fresh herbs, tangy feta, and a generous dollop of cool, garlicky tzatziki sauce, they offer a lighter, healthier take on classic burgers—without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Best of all? You can have them ready in under 30 minutes, and both the patties and tzatziki can be prepped ahead to make dinnertime even easier.

    Ingredients for Greek Turkey Burgers

    Turkey burger ingredients arranged on an old baking pan.

    For the Burgers

    • Ground turkey: This recipe calls for 85% lean ground turkey, which means the turkey contains 15% fat. You can use a lighter ground turkey (i.e., 93% lean/7% fat), but your burgers won’t be as flavorful, and they won’t hold together as well.
      • After making these burgers with a variety of ground meats, we highly suggest using store-ground over the kind that comes in the round prepackaged chubs-o-meat. The store-ground has more air in it, which will result in a lighter, airier burger. Moreover, we have found that meat packed in chubs is generally of lesser quality and contains more water, which also directly affects the flavor and texture of the burgers.
    • Greek yogurt: We suggest using full fat greek yogurt. Lower fat yogurts will make for runny tzadiki.
    • Spinach: You can use fresh or frozen. If you use frozen, defrost it first, and squeeze out the moisture. 
    • Cavenders All-purpose Greek Seasoning: This is one of our favorite everyday seasonings! 
    • Feta: Use plain of seasoned feta, crumbled.
    • Grated red onion: Red onion has the right combo of sweet-hot flavor. You can also use a sweet onion.
      • No amount of chopping will give you the same result as grating the onion. Squeeze the grated onion in the palm of your hand to drain off some of the onion juice before using.
    • Spinach: Use fresh spinach.
    • Egg: Use a large or extra large egg.
    • Garlic: Go ahead a double the garlic if you love it.
    • Oregano: Dried or fresh.
    • Bread crumbs: Use fresh breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs. Do not use seasoned bread crumbs. Bread crumbs are added to balance the moisture in the meat mixture.
    • Buns: Use Store-bought buns, or make your own. (We love these burgers with homemade buns seasoned with roasted garlic and Cavenders All-purpose Greek Seasoning.

    For the Tzadiki Sauce

    Tzatziki is a cool, creamy Greek yogurt sauce made with cucumber, garlic, lemon, and mint or dill. It’s the perfect topping for these Mediterranean-inspired burgers.

    • Greek yogurt: Use a whole-milk yogurt. The extra moisture in non-fat yogurt will make the burgers mushy.
    • Cucumber: Use a regular or English cucumber. Use a spoon to remove the seeds.
    • Garlic: Double if you love it.
    • Cavenders Greek Seasoning
    • Mint: Use fresh mint!
    • Lemon juice: Use fresh, frozen or bottled lemon juice.
    • Olive oil

    How to Make Greek Turkey Burgers

    Make the Tzatziki Sauce First

    Give your sauce time to chill and the flavors time to meld.

    Start by peeling, seeding, and grating the cucumber. Then squeeze out excess water (by hand or using paper towels) before mixing it with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs.

    Tzadiki ingredients unmixed in glass bowl. Half a lemon and two garlic cloves on parchment square.

    Stir gently to combine, cover, and refrigerate until serving.

    Prepared tzadiki in a glass bowl, garnished with cucumber and lemon slices.

    Mix & Form the Turkey Patties

    TIP: It is important to keep burger ingredients cold until you are ready to cook them. This especially applies to the ground turkey. If the meat starts at room temperature, the heat of your hands will melt the fat as you are working with it, which may result in a dense, dry burger. 

    Combine the ground turkey with spinach, grated onion, garlic, feta, egg, and seasonings. Mix gently—just until combined—to avoid overworking the meat.

    If the mixture is too loose, add ¼–⅓ cup breadcrumbs and let it sit for 5 minutes to firm up. Keep everything cold for the juiciest burgers.

    Burger ingredients unmixed, in glass bowl.

    Use a burger press if you have one, or form patties by hand about ½-inch thick. This recipe makes 8 standard burgers (5 oz each) or 16 sliders (2½ oz each).

    Red burger press on parchment covered old baking tray with turkey burgers and balls of burger mixture.

    How to Avoid Burger Shrinkage: Turkey burger patties tend to shrink by about 20-25% when cooked. Make them slightly bigger than the buns you want to use so that burger-and-bun will fit together nicely when they are cooked. 

    Best Way to Cook Turkey Burgers: Broil!

    After much experimenting, we found that broiling is the best way to cook these burgers, with grilling coming in a distant second. 

    Uncooked burgers on black broiler tray.
    1. Preheat broiler for 5 minutes.
    2. Place patties on a broiler pan and season with Cavender’s or salt & pepper.
    3. Broil 5–6 minutes, flip, and season again.
    4. Broil another 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through.

    Greek Turkey Burgers can also be skillet-fried on the stovetop, grilled on the barbecue.

    Alternate Cooking Methods

    Grill Method: Grill over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side. Generously oil the grill before putting the burgers on: turkey is lean and sticks easily.

    Stovetop Method: Cook over medium heat in a well-oiled skillet for 5–6 minutes per side. *If the center needs more cooking time, finish the burgers in a 400°F (205°C) oven for 3–4 minutes.

    In all cases, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165° (74 °C).

    Cooked turkey burgers on broiling pan.

    Assemble Your Greek Turkey Burgers

    Toast the buns to keep them from getting soggy. Layer on:

    • sliced red onion
    • sliced tomatoes
    • fresh spinach
    • fresh feta crumbles
    • a generous dollop of tzadiki sauce
    Prepping cooked burgers on old baking tray.

    Burger Tips, Swaps & Variations

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Ground Meat: Swap in ground chicken or beef. If using extra-lean meat, add a tablespoon of olive oil, more breadcrumbs, and an extra egg.
    • Herbs: If you don't have any Cavenders on hand, you can substitute in ½ teaspoon each: kosher salt, basil, oregano, and freshly ground pepper.
    • Mint: If you don't have fresh mint, you can use a teaspoon or two of dried mint, or use fresh or dried basil.
    Small, palm-size Greek turkey burgers with a small bamboo skewer poked down through the middle for added structure.

    Slider Version

    Slider-size Greek turkey burgers are perfect for parties & game-day celebrations! Simply buy or make slider-sized buns and you're set to go!

    Try a Different Sauce

    Not in the mood for tzatziki? Try it with Feta-Dill Sauce or Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip for a delicious twist!

    Close-up of Greek Turkey Burger with spinach and feta around it.

    What to Serve with Greek Turkey Burgers

    A few easy pairing ideas:

    • Greek Salad – Use leftover veggies (cucumber, tomato, onion, feta) to whip up a quick salad with olive oil and balsamic.
    • Stuffed Grape Leaves or Spanakopita – For a heartier Mediterranean platter.
    • Greek Fries or Pita Chips – Seasoned with oregano and lemon zest.
    • Fresh Fruit or Grapes – For a refreshing finish.
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    Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach, Feta & Tzadiki Sauce

    Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzadiki Sauce

    These Greek Turkey Burgers are bursting with Mediterranean flavor and topped with fresh veggies, creamy homemade tzatziki, and tangy feta. A quick, healthy weeknight meal the whole family will love—on the table in about 30 minutes!
    Print Pin Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Greek
    Prep Time:15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time:15 minutes minutes
    Total Time:30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 burgers
    Calories: 175kcal
    Author: Renee
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    Equipment

    • 1 broiler pan

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    Tzadiki Sauce
    • 12 ounces Greek Yogurt
    • 1 medium cucumber seeded & grated
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1½ teaspoons Cavenders All-purpose Greek Seasoning *or ½ teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    • 2-3 sprigs fresh mint OPTIONAL. Chiffonade herbs; you can all use fresh basil
    • 1½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    Turkey Burgers
    • 20 ounces ground turkey 85% lean
    • ¾ cup feta cheese crumbles
    • ⅓ cup grated red onion ~ 2.5 ounces
    • 2 ounces fresh spinach coarsely chopped (about 2 loose cups)
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1½ teaspoons Cavenders All-purpose Greek Seasoning * ½ teaspoon each: kosher salt, basil, oregano, and freshly ground pepper.
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ⅓ cup soft bread crumbs or panko crumbs (optional)
    Serving & Garnish
    • 8 hamburger buns
    • spinach or lettuce
    • tomato slices
    • red onion slices
    • feta cheese crumbles

    Instructions

    • Make Tzatziki: Grate cucumber, squeeze out liquid,and mix with yogurt, lemon, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. Chill.
    • Mix Patties: Combine turkey, spinach, onion, garlic, feta, egg, and seasonings.
      If the mixture seems too loose, mix in ¼-⅓ cup bread crumbs and allow the mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes before proceeding.
    • Form Burgers: Shape into 8 regular or 16 slider-size patties.
    • Broil: Preheat broiler.
      Place burgers on broiling pan. Season with Cavendar’s Greek Seasoning, or kosher salt and pepper. 
      Cook burgers 5–6 minutes per side or until internal temp reaches 165°F.
    • Assemble: Toast buns. Top burgers with thinly sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, fresh spinach, and fresh feta crumbles, and the tzadiki sauce.

    Notes

    Tips for Success:
    • Keep burger ingredients cold until you are ready to cook them. 
    • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165° [74 °C].

    Nutrition information includes only values for actual turkey burger. Nutrition information does not include values for hamburger buns or toppings. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1burger | Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 1mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!
    Healthy Greek Turkey Burger with Tzatziki Sauce on toasted bun.

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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    Hi, I'm Renée!

    Welcome to The Good Hearted Woman — a cozy corner of the internet where comfort food meets modern life. From heirloom recipes and easy weeknight dinners to seasonal dishes, homemade breads, and potluck favorites, we share the kind of food that brings people together.

    When we’re not in the kitchen, you’ll find us hosting guests at Parkside Acoustic Bed & Breakfast, our music-themed B&B in Ashland, Oregon — where good food and warm hospitality go hand in hand.

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