Turkey Reuben Burgers – Easy, Healthy Dinner in Under 30 Minutes

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A twist on the classic sandwich, these burgers are packed with flavor and ready in 30 minutes.

Turkey Reuben burgers are a lighter, juicier twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. Made with lean ground turkey, shredded onion, and topped with tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Russian dressing—this easy dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.

a turkey burger covered with swiss cheese and sauerkraut on a white plate with a pickle

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What you’ll love about these reuben turkey burgers


  • Quick and easy: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Lighter than traditional Reubens: Ground turkey is lean but still full of flavor.
  • Customizable: Serve them on buns, as sliders, or even low-carb style in lettuce wraps.
the ingredients in white bowls: ground turkey, shredded onions, sauerkraut


Missing an Ingredient? Find a Substitute!

How to make Reuben turkey burgers

Perepare the ingredients: Shred the onions with a box grater or food processor. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Process shot 1 of ground turkey and onions mixed together

STEP 1: In a bowl, combine ground turkey, shredded onion, salt, and pepper. Gently mix.

process shot of turkey burgers cooking in a pan

STEP 2: Form the turkey mixture into 4 patties and place them into a hot skillet coated with olive oil.

process shot of turkey burgers cooking in pan after being flipped over

STEP 3: Cook for 5 to 8 minutes on each side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

process of turkey burgers cooking in a pan with cheese and sauerkraut

STEP 4: Once cooked, top each burger with sauerkraut and a slice of Swiss cheese. Cover the skillet for a minute to melt the cheese. Remove the burgers from the pan and serve on rye bread or your favorite rolls.

Tips for making the best turkey reuben burgers

  • Don’t overmix the meat—handle gently for juicy burgers.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
  • Let burgers rest a few minutes before serving.
  • For probiotic benefits, add raw sauerkraut after cooking.

Be sure to check out the full recipe below

Serving suggestions

Serve these healthy turkey burgers with a little bit of homemade Russian dressing smeared on slices of rye bread or a rye bun.

These juicy turkey burgers also taste great with a side of spinach salad, buffalo cauliflower bites, and homemade zucchini pickles or sweet and spicy refrigerator pickles.

Make it a meal prep win by doubling the batch and freezing the extras.

How to store leftovers

Leftover room temperature turkey burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container or frozen for up to three months. Reheat leftover burgers in a skillet, oven, or microwave, and add the sauerkraut and cheese.

Recipe variations

These flavorful turkey burgers are so versatile; feel free to adjust the ingredients to make your version!

Open-faced – Serve on one slice of bread for fewer carbs.

Sliders – Make the patties smaller and serve them on slider buns for appetizers.

Lettuce wraps – Swap buns for crunchy romaine or butter lettuce leaves.

Spicy twist – Add chopped jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce.

Caramelized onions – Add a spoonful of caramelized onions on top of the burgers with the sauerkraut and cheese.

Can I make these burgers without sauerkraut?

Yes, but the tangy crunch is part of the classic Reuben flavor, try using slaw it you are not a fan.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Sure! Swiss is traditional, but provolone or mozzarella will work too.

Can I grill these instead?

Yes, just grill them over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side until cooked through.

Can I make the burgers ahead of time?

Yes! You can form the patties and refrigerate them up to a day in advance.

Can I chop the onions instead of shredding them?

Yes, you can finely mince the onions if you prefer to not shred them.

Can I skip the onions?

Yes, you can, but they add some moisture to the burgers. If you skip them, add a teaspoon of oil to the meat before forming the patties.

a turkey burger on a roll on a white plate with a bowl of salad in the background
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turkey burger on a roll with sauerkraut and melting cheese on a white plate

Easy Skillet Turkey Burgers with sauerkraut

A twist on the classic sandwich, these burgers are packed with flavor and ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Reuben Burger
Servings: 4 Burgers
Calories: 401kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Easy Skillet Turkey Burgers with sauerkraut

Equipment

Scale this Recipe 4 Burgers

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey breast
  • 2 tablespoons grated onion
  • 4 tablespoons sauerkraut
  • 4 thin slices organic swiss cheese
  • 5 slices Rye bread or your favorite rolls

Instructions

  • Shred the onions using a hand grater or mince them with a knife and place them into a mixing bowl with the ground turkey.
  • Combine the  onion and meat together and form into four 1/4 pound patties
  • Pre-heat the oil in a pan over medium – high 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 the burgers over and cook for three minutes longer, top with sauerkraut and cheese
  • cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes more until the cheese has melted and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees f
  • Serve the burgers on toasted rye, or sourdough or your favorite burger roll

Notes

Variations: 
Ground turkey can be replaced with ground, chicken, beef or pork. 
Store leftover burgers in the refrigerator for up to three days. 
See article above for tips, serving suggestions and more!

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 457mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 268IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 298mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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33 Comments

  1. 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. 🙂

  2. 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!