Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers with Pepper Jack & Guacamole Recipe

Introduction

These Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers are juicy, flavorful, and packed with melted pepper jack cheese and spicy green chiles. Topped with a refreshing avocado mash, they make a perfect twist on classic burgers for a tasty summer meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 90% lean ground turkey or chicken
• 6 ounces pepper jack cheese, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (mild or hot, as preferred)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill
• For serving, as desired: toasted burger buns, avocado mash (below), salsa, lettuce, etc.
• 2 medium avocados, halved and pitted
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium heat, about 500 degrees F.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with diced pepper jack cheese, diced green chiles, ground cumin, and garlic powder. Season with Kosher salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Gently mix with your hands until the cheese and chiles are evenly distributed, being careful not to overwork the meat.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into four equal-sized burger patties using a burger press or mold. Press firmly but gently to keep the filling inside.
4. Step 4: Just before grilling, brush the grill grates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking by wiping them with a paper towel dipped in oil using tongs.
5. Step 5: Grill the burgers over direct heat for 8 to 10 minutes total, flipping once halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the burgers show grill marks with melty cheese oozing out.
6. Step 6: While the burgers grill, prepare the avocado mash. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados with lemon juice, lime juice, and salt. Add cilantro, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix until you reach your desired consistency and set aside.
7. Step 7: Serve the burgers on toasted buns topped with avocado mash, salsa, lettuce, and other favorite condiments. Enjoy immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use lean ground chicken instead of turkey if preferred, but avoid overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
• If you don’t have a grill, cook the burgers in a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, covered, until fully cooked.
• Add a slice of tomato or pickled jalapeños for extra freshness and heat.
• For a dairy-free option, omit the pepper jack cheese and add extra diced green chiles inside the patty.

Storage

Store leftover cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the avocado mash separate and consume within 1 day to prevent browning. Reheat the burgers gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, then add fresh avocado mash before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these burgers ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the patties and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before grilling. Avoid stuffing the cheese inside until ready to cook for best texture.

What if I don’t have a grill or grill pan?

A heavy skillet or cast-iron pan works well. Cook the burgers over medium-high heat until cooked through, flipping once, and cover with a lid to help melt the cheese inside.

Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers with Pepper Jack & Guacamole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 54 reviews

These Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers are a flavorful twist on classic grilled turkey burgers, featuring melty pepper jack cheese and spicy green chiles stuffed inside. Served with a zesty guacamole-style avocado mash, they’re perfect for a satisfying and juicy meal packed with bold Southwest flavors.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 stuffed turkey burger patties 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Southwestern American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Burgers

• 1 pound 90% lean ground turkey or chicken
• 6 ounces pepper jack cheese, diced into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (mild or hot as preferred)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill

For Serving

• Toasted burger buns
• Avocado mash (see below)
• Salsa
• Lettuce
• Other condiments as desired

For the Avocado Mash

• 2 medium avocados, halved and pitted
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat, approximately 500°F, ensuring it’s hot enough to create a nice sear on the burgers.
2. Form the Stuffed Burger Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey with diced pepper jack cheese, diced green chiles, ground cumin, and garlic powder. Season the mixture with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper if you prefer some heat. Gently mix with your hands just until the cheese and chiles are evenly distributed, taking care not to overwork the meat. Using a burger press or mold, shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties, ensuring the cheese cubes remain inside.
3. Prepare the Grill Grates: Just before grilling, use tongs to swipe a piece of paper towel soaked in vegetable oil over the grill grates to prevent the burgers from sticking.
4. Grill the Burgers: Place the stuffed burger patties over direct heat on the grill. Grill for 8-10 minutes total, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat. Look for beautiful grill marks and melty cheese oozing out.
5. Prepare the Avocado Mash: While the burgers cook, prepare the avocado mash by combining the avocado halves in a medium bowl with lemon juice, lime juice, and kosher salt. Add optional chopped cilantro, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper according to your taste preferences. Mash the avocado mixture to your desired consistency and set aside.
6. Serve: Serve the grilled stuffed turkey burgers on toasted buns topped with the avocado mash, salsa, lettuce, and your preferred condiments. Enjoy your Southwest-inspired meal!

Notes

• Use lean ground turkey (90%) or chicken for the best texture and flavor.
• Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or hot diced green chiles and varying the amount of cayenne pepper.
• Do not overmix the meat to keep burgers tender and juicy.
• Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety — poultry must reach 165°F.
• The avocado mash can be customized with additional spices or herbs to your liking.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free burger buns or lettuce wraps.

Keywords: stuffed turkey burgers, southwest turkey burger, pepper jack cheese burger, grilled turkey burgers, avocado mash, guacamole burger, healthy turkey burgers, summer grilling recipes