This maple turkey burger is served with delicious cheddar, bacon and apple. Fantastic flavors, easy to make, you'll have everyone wanting more.
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I don't know about anyone else, but I am trying to ignore the fact that people have been going around with leaf blowers in the last few days which feels far too much like summer is over.
While I am have to admit I am more of a Fall person, and can certainly live without some of the super hot and humid days we sometimes have, I'd still like to hang on to a few summery things for that bit longer.
One of those is grilling, which we've done a pretty decent amount of this year again. We've managed to have a good variety on the grill, from favorites chicken satay and steak and veg with chimichurri sauce, to chicken gyros, and grilled peaches with mascarpone.
But there have also been some great burgers, and there's always room for (at least) one more, like this maple turkey burger with cheddar, bacon and apple.
The inspiration for this maple turkey burger
The idea for this maple turkey burger came partly from a burger we have made for a few years that's become a bit of a staple at any BBQ we host: bacon gorgonzola burgers. I was also thinking about something that feels that bit more of an end-of-summer burger and uses ingredients from the region.
A few mind jumps later, and the turkey, maple, apple, bacon and cheddar combination was born. It was an instant win with all of us.
How to make maple turkey burgers
The turkey burger itself is fairly well seasoned with herbs and maple syrup and you can really taste all the flavors in the finished burger. There's quite a bit of breadcrumbs in there as these take on the maple syrup flavor in a way the meat alone probably wouldn't, and help the texture as well.
It's worth chilling the burgers for a bit before you cook them, as with most burgers, and you can easily make them earlier in the day and leave them refrigerated for a while.
Cooking the bacon and the apple on the grill can be a little tricky, as both can go from being uncooked to black quickly, but the trick is to have them over lower heat and cook them in a foil packet.
You can also, alternatively, cook them in a pan on the grill, but I don't think they get quite as much of the grill flavor that way.
If you're interested in other ground turkey ideas, try this turkey sliders recipe.
These are some incredibly tasty burgers that bring together some great ingredients that go so well together and make for a whole mouthful of deliciousness in every bite. It may be getting to the end of summer, but we might have to sneak in having these again, and they are certainly on the list for next year.
With Labor Day coming up as a typical 'final fling' with the grill, I'd definitely recommend adding these to the grill list.
Looking for more burger ideas? Try these!
- Lamb burger with minted tomato salsa and feta sauce
- Spinach feta salmon burger
- Halloumi burger
- Asparagus parmesan burger with parmesan crisps
- Plus get more summer recipes in the archives.
Maple turkey burgers with cheddar and bacon
Ingredients
Burgers
- 1 lb ground turkey 450g turkey mince
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh sage finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Toppings
- 4 slices smoked bacon
- ½ apple approx - 8 thin slices
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 slices cheddar smoked or aged best
- 4 burger buns
Instructions
- To make the burgers, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, maple syrup, sage, thyme, salt and pepper until well combined and the herbs are clearly well-distributed - this is usually easiest by getting your hands in.
- Divide the mixture into 4, roll each into a flattened ball and chill until ready to use - at least 20min will help.
- When ready to grill, make a foil packet to hold the bacon - the slices can overlap slightly - and another for the apple slices.
- Whisk together the maple syrup and oil, toss the apple slices in the mixture then put in their foil packet.
- Start by grilling the burgers on a medium-high heat, with the bacon on a lower heat to the side. After a couple minutes, add the apple packet on the lower heat side. Turn all as needed until cooked (the apple may be a little hard to turn as it may stick - that's fine if it more cooks one side than both, just watch it doesn't burn and take off when gently caramelized.
- Once bacon and apple are cooked, remove from the heat. Put the cheddar slices on the burgers and toast the buns for a minute or two - if you have a gas grill, the best way can be to turn off the heat and close the grill.
- Assemble the burgers by putting the cheese-covered burger on top of the base, topped with the bacon and apple, then enjoy.
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Try these other ideas for a summer party:
Sides and Starters
- Foil Pack Grilled Potatoes by Hardly A Goddess
- Four Bean Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Pasta Salad with Baby Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Simple and Savory
- Sausage and Peppers Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Shelly’s Pasta Salad by Soulfully Made
- Thai Spiced Shrimp Cabbage Coleslaw by Food Lust People Love
- Zucchini Parmesan Foil Packets by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Delicious Entrees
- Malaysian Chicken Satay by Sprinkles and Sprouts
- Grilled Hasselback Fajita Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Pork Spiedini Hoagies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sous Vide Sirloin Steak with asparagus by Our Good Life
- Sriracha Deviled Crab Sandwich with Key Lime-Bacon Slaw by Gourmet Everyday
- Tom’s BBQ Spare Ribs with North Carolina BBQ Sauce by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Vietnamese Grilled Steak Salad by Palatable Pastime
Luscious Desserts
- Blueberry Crisp Bars by Pies and Plots
- Fudgy Brownie Trifle with Chocolate Mousse by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Watermelon Treats by The Freshman Cook
Remember to pin for later!
Joy says
Have you tried with panko or suggest only regular bread crumbs?
Caroline's Cooking says
I haven't tried but don't really see a reason why it wouldn't work, it just might impact the texture a little as they don't soften quite as easily.
Aleka Shunk says
Oooo I love the idea of maple in a burger WITH bacon!! How can this be bad!? I will def. try it next time I am grilling burgers! 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree hard to be bad with that combination 🙂
Laura says
This is an original burger recipe, a great way to get the maple syrup and the turkey mix together. The breadcrumbs definitely help to keep the flavor together. I will try them
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, the breadcrumbs definitely help with getting the maple to work, I feel. And it's all delicious!
Brian Jones says
What a great sounding burger, the seasoning sounds spot on and the addition of apple is genius!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Brian, it all goes so well!
Charlie says
Hi Caroline:
I can't believe how juicy these look!
I don't eat turkey but can surely substitute chicken.
These I will definitely try.
Thanks for sharing!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you, yes they should be great with chicken as well. Enjoy!
Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings says
I love how you seasoned the turkey. I can't wait to try it!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it gives lots of great flavor to it!
anne says
THis looks delicious! I love the addition of apple - perfect for end of summer
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Anne - absolutely, that was where my mind was going!
Liz says
Wow, what great toppings!! These burgers look fabulous!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Liz, it's a delicious combination!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
These are beautiful burgers Caroline! I absolutely love Apple, Cheddar and Bacon together but that Turkey Maple burger?? I must have it!! So delicious! 😀
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Dini - I hope you give them a try, they are delicious (I think they are on the menu for us again tomorrow 🙂 )
James says
These look and sound great. Also, love the backsplash in your kitchen - I'd love something like that in my own kitchen someday.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, James. Actually the backsplash is inherited from the previous owner - one of the few things I like in the kitchen 🙂
Johanne Lamarche says
This might be the best looking burger ever! Brilliant! Love the camera shot of the cross section. Drooling and it's only breaksfast time!!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Johanne, it is really tasty - we need to have it again soon, I think!
Liz says
Maple sounds like a great combination with the turkey and bacon, fall flavors indeed. Looks delicious.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Liz, they are all great flavors together.
Ginger says
End of what Summer? We are still waiting for ours to start 😉 Those burgers look absolutely mouthwateringly delicious - I'll have to pin them for future reference!
Ginger
Caroline's Cooking says
Ah yes, I have heard form friends and family that it hasn't been good this year. The joys of British summers, very unpredictable. But these burgers are still good any time - hope you manage to give them a try some time!
CakePants says
These burgers look delicious! For me, maple reminds me of autumn, so these burgers that combine maple and grilling seem like the perfect food for the summer-to-autumn transition. I too am looking forward to slightly cooler weather but am not quite ready to let go of summer!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, yes maple syrup is that bit more autumnal and so it definitely feels a bit more of a burger for this time of year (although it's really good so I can see us still having it earlier in the summer next year!)
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
That looks like one delicious burger! Plenty of grilling time left...I'd definitely like to try that!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Michelle, I hope you manage to give it a try and enjoy!