Spicy Turkey Burgers with Sriracha Mayo

Prep: 15 minCook: 27 min4 servingsmediumAmerican
Spicy Turkey Burgers with Sriracha Mayo

Juicy ground turkey burgers blended with celery, green onions, and sriracha for a bold kick, finished with a spicy mayo spread. The meat is seared on stovetop then finished in the oven for even cooking and a light crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, this version combines classic burger technique with Southeast Asian heat. Serve with fresh tomato slices on brioche buns for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that's ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 1 pound ground turkey
    ground chicken1:1poultry

    neutral

    Full guide →
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
    panko1:1textureadds gluten

    crispier exterior

    Full guide →
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 whole green onions, sliced
  • 4 teaspoons sriracha, divided
    hot sauce1:1condiment

    flavor varies by brand

    Full guide →
  • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided
    Greek yogurt1:1dairy_freeadds dairy

    tangier

    Full guide →
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 whole brioche buns
    whole wheat1:1bread

    denser

    Full guide →
  • 2 whole tomatoes, sliced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400F.

  2. 2

    Combine ground turkey, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, celery, green onions, 3 teaspoons sriracha, and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise in a large bowl. Mix with hands until just combined.

  3. 3

    Form mixture into 4 patties.

  4. 4

    Whisk remaining sriracha and mayonnaise together in a small bowl.

  5. 5

    Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add patties and cook 7 minutes per side.

  6. 6

    Transfer skillet to oven and cook 10 minutes more.

  7. 7

    Spread sriracha mayo on brioche buns. Top with burger patties and tomato slices.

Tips

Tip 1

Don't overmix the turkey mixture or patties will become dense and tough. Mix just until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Tip 2

Use an oven-safe skillet with a heat-resistant handle. If yours isn't oven-safe, transfer seared patties to a baking dish before finishing in the oven.

Tip 3

For extra flavor, toast brioche buns lightly in a dry skillet before assembling burgers.

Good to Know

Storage

Keep cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 300F oven wrapped in foil.

Make Ahead

Prepare and refrigerate patties up to 24 hours before cooking. Assemble sriracha mayo up to 2 days ahead and store in the fridge.

Serve With

Serve immediately while patties are warm and buns are still fresh. Pair with fries, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Overmix turkey mixture to avoid dense, rubbery patties that don't hold together or cook unevenly.

Watch

Skip preheating skillet to avoid cold spots causing uneven browning and sticking.

Watch

Don't press down on patties while cooking to avoid squeezing out moisture and flattening the burger.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

mayonnaise
Greek yogurt1:1dairy_freeadds dairy

tangier

Full guide →

General Alternatives

ground turkey
ground chicken1:1poultry

neutral

Full guide →
bread crumbs
panko1:1textureadds gluten

crispier exterior

Full guide →
brioche buns
whole wheat1:1bread

denser

Full guide →
sriracha
hot sauce1:1condiment

flavor varies by brand

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these burgers ahead and freeze them?

Yes. Form patties, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking, or add 3-4 minutes to skillet time if cooking from frozen.

What if I don't have an oven-safe skillet?

Sear patties in any skillet, then transfer to a baking dish or sheet pan before placing in the oven. Cooking time remains the same.

How long do cooked burgers keep in the fridge?

Store cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out. Assembled burgers are best eaten immediately.