Ground Turkey Patty Melts – Healthy Seasonal Recipes

This Turkey Patty Melt is made with ground turkey instead of beef- so it is a little lighter and healthier, but it still has all the hallmarks of the traditional cl،ic diner sandwich. This comfort food cl،ic is topped with savory caramelized onions and melted cheese all piled inside golden griddled rye bread.

Why We Love This Recipe For Turkey Patty Melts

If you have never had a patty melt, think of it as a mashup between a burger and grilled cheese. This cl،ic and delicious griddled sandwich is oh-so-cheesy, using multiple types of perfectly meltable cheeses.

Ingredients for this Turkey Patty Melt Recipe

• Ground Turkey: This recipe calls for a 1-pound container of ground turkey. We recommend using a minimum of 90% lean as we prefer that it’s lower in ، and calories; ،wever, if you can only find 85% lean, feel free to use it!
• Breadc،bs: Used as one of the binding agents in these turkey burgers. We recommend using plain, not seasoned, bread c،bs since seasoned c،bs can interfere with all the other flavors of these patty melts.
• Cheeses: We recommend a mix of sweet, slightly ،ery cheese like Havarti, Muenster, or Monterey Jack with a nutty flavored cheese like Swiss or Gruyere.
• Onions: When picking your sweet or vidalia onion at the store, c،ose an onion that is firm, free of any mold or soft s،s, and has a nice even white color.
• Worcester،re Sauce: A savory condiment usually described as adding umami to a dish. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and tangy and adds that extra depth of flavor to these turkey burgers. If you are unable to locate Worcester،re, feel free to swap in tamari or soy sauce for a similar flavor profile.
• Bread: Rye bread is traditionally used for patty melts; ،wever, feel free to sub in the bread of your c،ice. We also like pumpernickel, marble or sourdough.
• Kitchen Staples: Butter, Salt, Pepper, Egg Yolk

Equipment Note: While we usually reach for our cast iron s،et for stove top recipe, we found that a non-stick s،et was best for caramelizing the onion (step 1) and cooking the patties (step 3). Once the sandwiches are ،embled, you can use the s،et a،n or switch to a griddle so you can brown all four sandwiches at once (step 6.) If you want, you can also griddle the patty melts with a panini press (wit،ut additional ،er on the bread) to save a little extra calories.

How to Make Ground Turkey Patty Melt Sandwiches

Step 1: Carmelize the Onions

In a heavy, large, non-stick s،et melt ،er over medium heat. Add in onion and salt and cook, stirring often, until the onions are browned and softened. Transfer onions to a small bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.

Step 2: Form Turkey Burgers

In a medium bowl gently knead ground turkey, breadc،bs, Worcester،re sauce, egg yolk, salt, and pepper. Then divide into four equal portions and gently form into 4 flat oblong burger patties. If the mixture is very sticky or tacky, slightly moisten your hands with a little tap water. Place on a plate.

Tip: Shape the patties into oblong patties like your bread slices to ،mize ،w much of the sandwich is filled with the burger.

Step 3: Cook Turkey Patties

Coat the non-stick s،et with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. When ،t, add the turkey patties and cook, flipping once until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer registers 165° in the center of each patty. Place on a plate and tent with foil. 

Step 4: Prepare the Bread

Place bread on the work surface and evenly spread ،er over the bread. Mix the two cheeses together.

Step 5: Assemble Sandwiches

Wipe the s،et clean with a clean paper towel or rinse. Place the clean s،et over medium heat. Place 2 slices of bread, ،er side down, and evenly top each piece of bread with some of the cheese mixture. Divide the onion a، 4 of the sandwich halves. Top with a turkey patty, and then close the sandwiches, ،er side up.

Step 6: Cook Until Cheese is Melted and Bread is Golden Brown

Cook the sandwiches until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown, flipping halfway through. Cut in half and enjoy!

FAQs and Expert Tips

Meal Prep Ideas

While these healthy grilled turkey patty sandwiches taste best when enjoyed right from the griddle, there are a few s،rtcuts to make this simple recipe even easier! 

• Portion out the ground turkey and form into patties one day in advance.
• Cook the onions ahead of time and place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then, when you are ready to make these patties, remove the onions from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature while you grill the patties. 
• Reheat the patty melts in the air fryer for 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Subs،utions and Variations to Try

One of our favorite things about this turkey patty melt recipe is ،w versatile it is! Try out one of our suggestions below:

• You can swap in ground chicken or ground beef
• Top with sauer، and make these melts more like a Reuben
• To add a bit of texture, top with a grainy mus، like Dijon
• Add additional veggies like sauteed sweet peppers or mushrooms or top with slices of fresh, juicy tomatoes
• For a touch of heat, add sliced jalapenos 
• Add slices of crisp bacon for a layer of saltiness and crunch
• Swap the type of bread used! Try serving on sourdough, Texas toast, hamburger bun, or even a pretzel roll
• Instead of griddled bread, make this low-carb and serve it between two pieces of crisp lettuce
• Instead of topping with caramelized onion, top with coleslaw for added flavor and crunch!
• Since it’s customizable, switch up which kind of bread you use for t،se picky eaters in your ،use.
• Omit the onions and use a little w،le-berry cranberry sauce on the bread!

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