Turkey Reuben Burgers are made with lean ground turkey that’s shaped into burgers and topped with a pile of homemade sauerkraut and swiss cheese for a healty twist on the traditional Reuben sandwich.
This recipe was originally posted in March, 2018. It has been updated for photos and content.
Recipe Higlights
- A healthy version of a reuben sandwich, made with lean ground turkey, healthy fermented sauerkraut and swiss cheese.
- It can be made in a skillet or on the grill.
- A fast and easy recipe with only 6 ingredients.
Here is what you will need
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- Olive Oil
- Ground turkey
- Onions
- Swiss Cheese
- Fermeted sauerkraut, here is my homemade recipe for sauerkraut
- Rye Bread or Rolls
- A Skillet or a grill
- A hand grater
Estimated Time To Make This Recipe: 25 to 35 minutes
How do you make a reuben sandwich healthier?
It’s easy! Ditch the processed meat and replace it with a seasoned organic turkey burger, then top if with fermented sauerkraut. If you are craving a reuben sandwich these burgers the perfect healthy way to satisfy that craving.
Turkey
The best ground turkey to use for these burgers is organic ground turkey. The addition of the onions to the meat, not only adds flavor, but enough moisture so that the burger is not too dry.
Fermented Sauerkraut
If you don’t have homemade sauerkraut on hand to make this recipe, look for sauerkraut that is fermented,not the typical canned sauer kraut that is on the supermarket shelves which has been pasturized. Organic, fermented sauerkraut can usually be found in the refrigerator section of the supermarket. Fermented sauerkraut has more healthy benefits such as probiotics which are not in the pastuerized versions.
Onions
This burger recipe does not contain a large amount of onions, but they add just the right flavor. When the onions are shredded with a hand grater, they almost liquify which adds moisture and flavor to the burger. If you don’t have a hand grater, mince them as small as you can or chop them in a food processor.
Serving suggestions
Turkey reuben burgers taste great with a chopped salad or buffalo cauliflower bites, and homemade zucchni pickles.
We like to serve them on rye bread or rye rolls with a dollop of mustard, but any type of roll will work.
Recipe tips and variations
Make ahead instructions
These burgers are easy to make ahead of time. Mix the ingredients for the burgers together, form them into patties. Store them in the refrigerator for up to one day before cooking them, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Cook the burgers and add the sauerkraut and cheese just before serving.
Storing Leftover Burgers
Leftover rueben burgers can be stored in the refrigerator either already assembled or not for up to three days.
You can also freeze the burgers cooked without the sauerkraut and cheese for up to three months. Reheat the burgers in a skillet, oven or microwave and add the sauerkraut and cheese.
Variations
Ground turkey can be replaced with ground, chicken, beef or pork. Ground meat can also be replaced with roasted turkey slices.
Swiss cheese can be replaced with provolone or Amercian cheese.
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Reuben Turkey Burgers
Turkey burger meets Reuben sandwich in this better for you version of a Reuben Sandwich
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil - for stove top method only
- 1 pound organic ground turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 4 heaping tablespoons sauerkraut
- 4 thin slices organic swiss cheese
- Rye bread or your favorite rolls
Instructions
- Shred the onions using a hand grater or mince the onions and add them to a mixing bowl.
- Combine the onion and meat together and form into four ¼ pound patties
STOVE-TOP METHOD
- pre-heat the oil in a pan over medium heat
- once the pan is hot, add the burgers to the pan and cook for about 7 minutes until they begin to turn brown
- flip them over and cook for three minutes, top with sauerkraut and cheese
- cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes more until cheese has melted and internal temperature has reached 165
GRILL METHOD
- preheat a grill to medium heat
- once the grill is hot, place the burgers on the grill and cook for about 8 minutes and flip
- cook for 4 to 5 minutes then top with sauerkraut and cheese then cover
- cook until cheese melts and turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 - about 4 miniutes more
Serve the burgers on toasted rye or sourdough
Notes
Variations:
Ground turkey can be replaced with ground, chicken, beef or pork. Ground meat can also be replaced with roasted turkey slices.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 burgerAmount Per Serving: Calories: 355Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 319mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 45g
Nutrition information is provided by an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
Nutrition information is provided by Nutrifox, an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
I love lightened up versions of family favorites. Thanks.
You are welcome Wendy!
Love the healthy spin on it. I’ve been trying to serve more ground turkey dishes to my family, and these look great!
Thanks Jolene!
I love that this is on top of a turkey burger. I’m not a huge fan of corned beef so this is totally the way I’d prefe rit.
Thanks Nichole!
I love anything with kraut- always have. So all these fermented recipes make me happy.
I can eat kraut right out of the jar!
Love this idea as both easier and healthier than corned beef.
Thank you!
The Reuben is my absolute favorite sandwich of all time! I would have to put a generous amount of thousand island dressing on mine too. 🙂
Thousand Island works too! I don’t eat mayo though so I’m happy with mustard!
What a great “healthy” take on a Reuben! This sounds delicious.
Thanks Karen!
Now, I can totally eat a Reuben every day for lunch without feeling guilty!!! Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck – Colleen
Thanks!
I love this idea! I shouldn’t check stuff like this out when I’m hungry because now I’m craving a bite (or ten!)
I know how that feels carlee, I try to not looks at food pictures when I’m hungry!
Sounds delicious. I never make reubens at home, but I need to. This recipe is perfect for shaking up my lunch game.
I love when comfort foods get a healthy twist! Yummo!
These burgers sound delicious! Love caraway seeds and saurkraut!
My burgers are so boring compared to this one. Looks fantastic.
This burger sure is mouth watering! If I used some garlic with the turkey to make the patty do you think it was alter the flavor of the recipe too much? Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to make this at home!
Hi Sam! I would think a little bit of garlic would taste great with this! Enjoy!
LOVE the idea of turning a reuben into a burger! That makes it so much easier for some reason. I can definitely do this for dinner without the bread. Thanks for the idea!
Love turkey burgers and even better that you made it a reuben! Such a perfect spring/summer recipe.
Thanks Jean, and we love grilling!
Loving all that fabulous cheese on top! What a great looking burger!
Thanks Linda
i love a good turkey burger and i love ruebens! win/win!
thank you Cynthia!
Wow, such a great idea! I would never have thought to put sauerkraut and swiss on a turkey burger to make a Reuben burger. My hubby will love this on some rye buns!
What a hearty sounding burger! Loving the sauerkraut and caraway seeds in there!