Thai Turkey Burgers with Sweet Chili Glaze

Make these Thai Turkey Burgers to elevate a simple burger into something exciting. These juicy, flavorful patties are perfect for the grill at a backyard BBQ or a busy weeknight family dinner.

With a sweet-and-spicy Thai-inspired twist, these burgers balance savory turkey, a creamy peanut glaze, and a crisp Asian slaw. They’re easy to prepare and deliver consistent, crowd-pleasing results.

Side close up shot of thai turkey burger garnished with fresh parsley on a piece of brown parchment paper.

🩵 About This Recipe

Burgers are a favorite any time of year. These Thai Turkey Burgers combine the lighter flavor and lower fat of ground turkey with bold Thai seasonings for a unique, refreshing twist on a classic. The result is a burger that’s bright, slightly sweet, a little smoky, and perfectly balanced with creamy peanut sauce and crisp slaw.

The turkey patties act as a neutral base that highlights the fresh slaw and tangy peanut glaze. The slaw brings crunch and acidity, while the peanut-based sauce adds richness and a hint of red curry heat—think of it as all the best parts of peanut chicken turned into a sandwich.

These burgers work equally well at a summer cookout or a weeknight meal. They’re simple to build in under 30 minutes once you have the components ready: mix and form the patties, cook them to a safe internal temperature, whisk together the sauce, toss up the slaw, and assemble.

🍔 Why I Love This Homemade Burger Recipe

Turkey’s mild flavor lets the Thai ingredients shine. The patties stay tender when you avoid overmixing and include small bits of onion for moisture. The peanut glaze—made with peanut butter, lime, red curry paste, soy, and honey—adds creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy notes that make each bite memorable. Finished with a bright, vinegar-and-lime slaw, these burgers feel gourmet without being fussy.

What readers are saying…

“From the peanut sauce to the slaw — so much flavor! Love this Thai burger recipe!”

– Jaclyn

🧂 Gather Your Ingredients

Overhead shot of burger patties ingredients - ground turkey, chopped onion, minced garlic, red curry paste, and dried cilantro.

Ground turkey — lean protein that lets the Thai flavors stand out.
Onion — finely chopped fresh or frozen to add moisture and flavor.
Garlic — minced, fresh or jarred, for savory depth.
Red curry paste — the key to that Thai heat and aroma.
Cilantro — dried in the patties and fresh for garnish if desired.

Overhead shot of peanut sauce ingredients - honey, red curry paste, lime juice, chunky peanut butter, and soy sauce.

Chunky or smooth peanut butter — chunky adds texture, smooth works fine.
Soy sauce — balances the sauce’s sweetness and umami.
Honey — a touch of natural sweetness.
Red curry paste — doubles in the sauce for depth and spice.
Lime juice — brightens the sauce with citrus acidity.

Overhead shot of slaw ingredients - rice vinegar, broccoli slaw, soy sauce, and lime juice.

Broccoli slaw or shredded cabbage — a crisp base for the dressing.
Lime juice and rice vinegar — for bright tang.
Soy sauce — for savory balance.

🔪 Let’s Make Thai Turkey Burgers!

Overhead view of burger process shot 1 - combine the burger ingredients in a bowl.

Step 1 — Combine Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine ground turkey, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, red curry paste, and dried cilantro. Mix gently—don’t overwork the meat.

Overhead view of burger process shot 2 - mix the ingredients well.

Step 2 — Form Patties

Divide the mixture into four even portions and shape each into a patty. Keep the patties slightly wider than your buns, as they will shrink while cooking.

Overhead view of burger process shot 3 - divide the burger mixture into 4 sections and form each section into a patty.

Step 3 — Grill the Patties

Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high and lightly oil the grates. Cook the patties about 4 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F (74°C) in the center.

Overhead view of burger process shot 4 - place the patties on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side.

Step 4 — Make the Sauce

Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, red curry paste, and lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat as desired.

Overhead view of peanut sauce process shot 1 - combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, chili paste, and lime juice in a bowl.

Step 5 — Make the Slaw

Toss the broccoli slaw (or shredded cabbage) with lime juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Let it sit a few minutes so the flavors meld, then drain any excess liquid so the slaw stays crisp on the burger.

Overhead view of slaw process shot 1 - combine the broccoli slaw, lime juice, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce in a medium bowl to make the slaw.

Step 6 — Assemble

Place a warm patty on a toasted bun, drizzle generously with peanut sauce, top with slaw, and garnish with fresh cilantro if you like. Serve immediately.

💡 Expert Tips and Tricks

Use an instant-read thermometer and remove patties at 165°F to ensure they are safe and juicy.
Preheat the grill and cook on medium-high for a good sear; avoid too-high heat that chars the outside before the center is cooked.
Keep mixing gentle—overworking the meat can yield dense burgers.
Finely chopping or using frozen chopped onion helps keep turkey patties moist.
Let the slaw rest briefly after dressing and drain excess liquid so it stays crisp on the burger.

❔ FAQs

Why is my homemade slaw soggy?

The soy sauce in the dressing can draw moisture from the slaw. Let it sit a few minutes, then drain any excess liquid before assembling the burgers to keep the slaw crisp.

How do you know when Asian turkey burgers are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer and check for an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

How can I keep my burgers juicy?

Avoid overcooking. Remove patties as soon as they reach the minimum internal temperature; they will retain heat and remain moist if not left on the grill too long.

📝 Substitutions and Variations

Swap ground beef for turkey for a richer, more traditional burger flavor.
Stir sriracha or chili paste into the peanut sauce for extra heat.
Use shredded cabbage in place of broccoli slaw if preferred.
Add chopped scallions or extra purple cabbage to the slaw for more color and flavor.
Mix fresh chopped cilantro into the patties for a bright herb note.

Kristin’s Kitchen Tip

If you can find a slaw mix with purple cabbage, use it—the color and flavor really boost this Thai turkey burger.

🥡 Storage and Reheating

Store leftover cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Keep peanut sauce and slaw separate for best texture.

Reheat patties gently in a skillet or microwave. Use the slaw and sauce straight from the fridge when assembling.

⏳ Make Ahead Instructions

Form patties a day ahead and wrap individually or separate with parchment. Refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze for 3–4 months. Thaw before cooking for even results.

Keep It Handy

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🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

Serve these Thai Turkey Burgers with sweet potato fries, crisp raw veggies, coconut rice, or a simple cucumber salad. Extra peanut sauce also makes a great dip for sides.

😋 More Easy Homemade Burger Recipes You’ll Love

Turkey Burger Sliders — great for gatherings and easy to serve.
Cheeseburger Soup — a comforting, savory bowl that tastes like a burger in soup form.
Hamburger Casserole — a family-friendly casserole with classic burger flavors.
Pizza-Style Burgers — for when you can’t decide between pizza and burgers.

Side close up shot of thai turkey burger garnished with fresh parsley.

Asian Turkey Burgers

⭐ Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out—please leave a rating or review!

📋 Recipe Card

Thai Turkey Burgers — Serves 4

For the burgers

1 pound ground turkey
1 small onion, finely chopped (or 1 cup frozen chopped onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 tablespoon dried cilantro

For the peanut sauce

2/3 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons red curry paste
2 tablespoons lime juice

For the slaw

4 cups broccoli slaw or shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Combine the burger ingredients in a bowl and mix gently until just combined. Form into four patties.
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates. Cook patties about 4 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and keep warm.
Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, red curry paste, and lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Toss slaw with lime juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Let rest briefly, then drain any excess liquid.
Assemble burgers on buns: patty, peanut sauce, slaw, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix the turkey to avoid tough burgers.
Use an instant-read thermometer to pull burgers at 165°F for best texture.
Make the patties ahead and refrigerate or freeze for easy meal prep.

Nutrition (approx.)

Calories: 488 | Carbohydrates: 29 g | Protein: 43 g | Fat: 25 g (per serving, estimate)

Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2019 and updated with tips, step-by-step photos, and a recipe revision in February 2026.

Thanks for reading! Happy cooking—enjoy these flavorful Thai Turkey Burgers with family and friends.