Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers with Pepper Jack & Guacamole Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
