High-Protein Cheesy Turkey Burgers
Two stacked turkey patties with melted cheese on lettuce — ready in 25 minutes
These high-protein cheesy turkey burgers mix ground turkey with a little cheese and herbs, sear the patties until the edges are brown, and stack two with melted cheese on lettuce, like the plate. Each serving has 32 g of protein and 3 g net carbs.
Low carb, sugar-free, and no bun.
Why you’ll love these turkey burgers
- 32g protein per serving
- 3g net carbs
- Two patties a serving
- Ready in about 25 minutes
- Melted cheese
- No bun
Health notes
- Protein: Ground turkey and cheese.
- Low carb: Lettuce under the stack, not a bun.
- Sugar-free: No sweet sauce.
- Keto-friendly: Each serving of 2 patties stays around 3g net carbs.
Key element — do not press the patties
A spatula pressed hard squeezes the juice out. Leave them alone until the edge looks set, so they stay juicy like the stack.
Ingredients
Burgers (4 servings, 8 patties)
- 1½ lb ground turkey
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley or green onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, for the pan
- 4 slices cheddar, for the top
- Lettuce leaves, to serve
Swaps
- Chicken: Same weight of ground chicken.
- Beef: Same weight. Fat rises.
- A bun or sweet sauce: Not in the 3g number.
- No cheese on top: Protein drops a little.
Instructions
| 1 | Mix. Gently mix turkey, shredded cheese, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Do not overwork it. Form 8 thin patties. |
| 2 | Heat the pan. Heat oil in a skillet over medium. A hot pan browns the outside before the center cooks. |
| 3 | Cook. Cook the patties 3–4 minutes a side until browned and cooked through. Do not press them. In the last minute, lay a cheese slice on half of them and cover the pan so it melts. |
| 4 | Stack. Set lettuce on a plate. Stack 2 patties, with the cheese between or on top, like the plate. This batch makes 4 servings. |
Pro tips
- Wet hands keep the turkey from sticking while you form the patties.
- A pressed patty dries out. Leave it until the edge looks set.
- A bun or a sweet barbecue sauce is not in these numbers.
- Cover the pan for 30 seconds so the cheese melts without overcooking the turkey.
- Macros are per serving, 2 stacked patties.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving (2 patties) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Net carbohydrates | 3g |
| Total carbohydrates | 4g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Total fat | 20g |
| Sodium | 520mg |
Estimates based on ground turkey, cheese in the mix and on top, herbs, and lettuce, divided into 4 servings of 2 patties. A bun and a sweet sauce are not included.
Variations
Spice
A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika in the mix.
No cheese on top
Skip the slice. Protein drops a little.
Single patty
Serve one. The card number is two stacked.
Grill
Medium heat, same times. Oil the grate.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 3 days | Store the patties, not the lettuce |
| Reheat | 2 min | Skillet. A microwave softens them |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Freeze raw or cooked patties between parchment |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about these cheesy turkey burgers
1. Protein per serving?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. What is a serving?
4. About how long does this take?
5. What is not in the 3g number?
