Gramps' Tomato Turkey Burgers

Tomato Turkey Burger
Photo Credit
Samantha Jones/Vaughn Communications
Written By: The Editors The Old Farmer's Almanac
Yield
Makes 6 servings.
Category
Course
Credit
Paul VanSavage

Meet the burger that built backyard legends—Gramps’ Tomato Turkey Burgers! Juicy, zesty, and loaded with love (and tomatoes), this recipe proves turkey can outshine beef any summer day.

This delicious burger won second place in our 2026 Old Farmer’s Almanac recipe contest!

Seasoning

Ingredients
1 tablespoon kosher salt
4 teaspoons dried sage
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine all seasoning ingredients, then divide into two equal parts.
  2. Set aside.

Burgers

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 ounce cremini (aka baby bella) mushrooms, stemmed and finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/2 onion, finely diced
1/2 sweet apple, peeled, seeded, and finely diced
2 pounds 85% lean ground turkey
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
6 slices American cheese
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha
6 hamburger buns
tomato slices and bread and butter pickles, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook garlic, mushrooms, celery, onions, and apples for 10 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
  3. To the bowl, add ground turkey, sun-dried tomatoes, bread crumbs, Parmesan, and half of the seasoning, and mix thoroughly. Form meat into 6 patties, sprinkle both sides with remaining seasoning, and place on prepared baking sheet. Cook for 15 minutes, or until burgers register an internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer.
  4. Remove from oven, add cheese, then return to oven until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and tent with foil for 5 minutes.
  5. In a bowl, combine ketchup, mayonnaise, and Sriracha.
  6. Place burgers on buns, spread with ketchup mixture, and top with tomatoes and pickles.

About The Author
The Editors

The Editors

The Old Farmer's Almanac

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...