For years I assumed turkey burgers couldn’t measure up to beef — unfair, since I hadn’t given them a fair chance. Once I tried these Southwest Turkey Sliders, I was pleasantly surprised. They’re bursting with flavor from fresh herbs, bold spices, and a touch of sweet red pepper relish. They make a great change from traditional beef burgers and might even become a new favorite at your table.
These sliders are perfect for anyone looking for a lighter option without sacrificing taste. The ground turkey keeps the patties lean, while ingredients like jalapeño, cilantro, and cumin give them a lively southwest profile. The sweet red pepper relish brings a pleasant contrast that lifts the whole sandwich. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the jalapeño or omit the hot sauce; for more heat, add an extra pinch of cayenne or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.
These sliders work well for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or game-day snacks. They’re easy to scale up for a crowd and adapt to dietary preferences—use turkey bacon or omit bacon entirely for a pork-free version, or serve the patties on full-size buns for a standard burger portion. The patties also grill nicely if you’d rather cook outdoors.
Southwest Turkey Sliders
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 8 | Author: Garnish and Glaze
Ingredients
- 8 sliced hickory smoked bacon (or turkey bacon)
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/3 cup yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2–3 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 4 ounces pepper jack cheese, sliced
- 8 slider buns
- 1/2 cup sweet red pepper relish (found in the condiment aisle)
- Green leaf lettuce, for serving
- Red onion slices, for serving
Instructions
- Fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels. Set aside.
- Carefully drain most of the bacon grease into a heat-safe container and reserve 1 tablespoon for cooking the patties. If using turkey bacon, use a tablespoon of oil instead.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, yellow bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, thyme, cumin, steak seasoning, and hot sauce. Mix gently until ingredients are evenly distributed. Form into 8 equal patties.
- Heat a skillet or grill over medium-high heat and add the reserved tablespoon of bacon grease (or oil). Cook the patties 4–5 minutes per side, until cooked through and lightly browned. Add pepper jack cheese to each patty during the last 2 minutes so it melts.
- To assemble each slider, place a patty on the bottom bun, add a slice of red onion, a piece of bacon (or turkey bacon), a piece of green leaf lettuce, and a spoonful of sweet red pepper relish. Top with the bun and serve immediately.
Tips and Variations
– Substitute turkey bacon or omit bacon for a pork-free version. Using turkey bacon reduces fat and calories.
– If you can’t find sweet red pepper relish, red pepper jelly can be used as an alternative—both add a sweet-savory contrast to the sliders.
– To make full-size burgers, simply form fewer, larger patties and increase cooking time slightly.
– Grill the patties outdoors for smoky flavor, or bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–18 minutes, flipping once.
– Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling.
Recipe Source: Slightly adapted from Rachel Ray.
Nutrition facts shown were calculated using 93% lean ground turkey and regular pork bacon, with a 100-calorie bun. You can lower calories and fat by choosing leaner turkey, turkey bacon, or lighter buns.