I love making frozen Trader Joe’s turkey burgers in my air fryer for a quick and easy meal! You can customize them with a variety of toppings, and they come out juicy, delicious, and take almost no effort, so they’re perfect for busy weeknights when you really don’t feel like cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Thawing Needed. Cook the turkey burgers straight from frozen, making them perfect for busy days!
- Quick And Easy. The air fryer gets dinner on the table with minimal prep and cleanup
- Juicy And Flavorful. Air frying gives the burgers nicely browned edges while keeping the inside tender
- Great For Busy Weeknights. Keep a box in the freezer for an easy meal whenever you need it. You can do the same thing with beef Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers as well if that’s more your jam!
- Easy To Customize. Add your favorite cheese, sauces, and burger toppings to make them your own!
- Perfect For Meal Prep. Cook a few at once and use the leftovers for easy lunches
- No Grill Required. You can enjoy a satisfying turkey burger without firing up the outdoor grill
- Easy To Cook Year-Round. The air fryer makes these a convenient option whether it’s grilling season or not! You can also make homemade (not frozen) Air Fryer Turkey Burgers for an equally great year round option if preferred
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Ingredients List
- 16 ounce box Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers (4 count)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings as Pictured (All Optional):
- Burger buns (I use brioche)
- Sliced avocado (½ small avocado per burger)
- 1 Tbsp caramelized onion jam per burger
- Chipotle aioli (or burger sauce)
- Fresh arugula
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use other brands of frozen turkey burgers as well, such as Jenny-O, Butterball, or Bubba Burgers. This recipe assumes the use of raw (not fully cooked) patties. Fully cooked take less time since you’re just reheating them
- While Trader Joes does add salt and rosemary extract to their turkey burgers, I personally find it needs more seasoning (at least basic salt and pepper). You can also use: poultry seasoning, BBQ rub, Cajun seasoning, everything but the bagel seasoning, or a blend that you like!
- Toppings can all be adjusted to taste. Lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese are perfect for a “standard” burger, toss with buffalo wing sauce and top with ranch or bleu cheese for a buffalo version, or add marinara and mozzarella for a pizza-inspired burger!
Step By Step Instructions
- Season both sides of the frozen turkey patties with salt and pepper to taste
- Place burgers your air fryer in a single layer, allowing air space between each one (a tiny amount of overlap is OK depending on the size of your basket; they will shrink as they cook)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 10 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 more minutes, until the center reaches at least 165°F. If you want to add cheese, do so during the last minute of cooking just to melt it on, or even just let it sit in the residual heat
- Add burgers to buns and add other toppings and sides as desired (such as sweet potato chips). Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Trader Joe’s turkey burgers make an easy base for a quick burger night. Serve them with classic sides, fresh toppings, and a flavorful sauce for a complete meal!
Classic Sides
- French Fries: A classic burger pairing that’s easy and always satisfying
- Sweet Potato Fries or Chips: Their natural sweetness works especially well with savory turkey burgers
- Potato Salad: Creamy potato salad makes an easy side for a casual burger meal. Try the best of both worlds with my Sweet Potato Salad!
- Coleslaw: Crisp, creamy slaw adds freshness and crunch alongside the burger
Fresh Sides
- Simple Green Salad: A lightly dressed salad keeps the meal feeling fresh and balanced
- Tomato Cucumber Salad: Crisp vegetables and a bright dressing provide a nice contrast to the warm burger
- Corn On The Cob: A simple seasonal side that fits perfectly with a backyard-style burger dinner.
- Pickles: Their tangy crunch cuts through the savory burger and adds plenty of flavor
Toppings & Sauces
- Avocado: Creamy avocado adds richness and works especially well with turkey
- Caramelized Onions: Sweet, savory onions make the burger feel a little more special
- Sharp Cheddar: Bold cheese adds richness and plenty of classic burger flavor
- Garlic Aioli: Creamy garlic sauce makes an easy upgrade from standard burger condiments
- Cranberry Sauce: A surprisingly good option for a fall-inspired turkey burger, especially with sharp cheese!
Drinks
- Lager: Crisp and refreshing alongside a savory burger and fries
- Hard Cider: Especially good for a fall burger night and a natural match for turkey
- Iced Tea: A simple, refreshing choice for a casual meal
- Lemonade: Bright and tart enough to balance a hearty burger
Recipe FAQs
Are Trader Joe’s Frozen Turkey Burgers Fully Cooked?
No, Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers are raw. Make sure to cook them to an internal temperature of at least 165°F measured at the center of the burger.
How Else Can I Cook Trader Joe’s Frozen Turkey Burgers?
Besides the air fryer, you can cook the frozen patties on the stove or grill. A skillet is a convenient option when you want browned edges, while grilling gives them a more traditional burger flavor.
Does Trader Joe’s Have Fresh Turkey Burgers?
Trader Joe’s has offered fresh turkey burger options, but product availability can change by store and season, with fall being the most common time to see them pop up.
Tips For the Best Frozen Turkey Burgers
- You can cook directly from frozen with no need to thaw the burger patties
- The burgers will be browned on the edges during cooking without needing to add any oil to them at all!
- Based on my cooking in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer without preheating, 17 minutes total is perfect. If you do preheat, you can usually cut about 2 minutes off cooking time. Time naturally varies between air fryers and different brands of frozen burger, so adjust as needed in small increments to get yours cooked through
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Keep Uncooked Burgers Frozen. Store unopened Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers in the freezer; use within 2-3 months for best results
- Refrigerate Leftovers. Transfer cooked burgers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. I do not recommend re-freezing them after they’ve been cooked
Reheating Tips
- Air Fryer: Reheat at about 350°F until warmed through, usually around 3-5 minutes depending on thickness.
- Skillet: Warm leftover burgers over medium-low heat with a splash of water and cover the pan to help keep the burger moist
- Microwave: Cover the burger with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30-second intervals until hot
- Avoid Overheating! Since turkey burgers are relatively lean, heating them too long can make them dry
- Refresh Your Burger: Add fresh cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, or your favorite toppings and sauce after reheating to make leftovers feel more like a freshly made meal
More Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
- Turkey Stir Fry
- Small Turkey Breast
Trader Joe’s Turkey Burger Review
I enjoy Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers as a quick weeknight meal option! There’s something about having a food that goes directly from frozen to the dinner plate in under 20 minutes that makes it extra appealing to me, and why I like to have options like this on hand.
TJ’s turkey burgers are very simple, containing just 3 ingredients: turkey, salt, and rosemary extract. On their own, I will note that they very much have “Thanksgiving turkey” flavor in a patty form.
Typically, I do add my own salt and pepper, or sometimes get creative and add other seasoning blends to it to give them more “weeknight meal” and less “Thanksgiving table” vibes, though they’d definitely be great for a small holiday option too.
The air fryer does a great job of getting browned edges and keeping the meat juicy. I think the fact that TJ’s uses both dark and light meat also helps to add moisture. Definitely try to avoid overcooking them though, as they can dry out easier than a whole breast or thigh.
Overall, they’re a solid option for a busy night, but I definitely think you need to add toppings to really make them shine. On their own, they’re a bit bland and plain to me, but that makes a great base to build off of! This combo of caramelized onion jam, avocado, chipotle mayo, and some fresh greens all on a brioche bun is one of my favorite ways to serve them!
Final Thoughts
Air fryer Trader Joe’s turkey burgers go from frozen to fantastic in under 20 minutes! They cook directly from frozen, require very little tending, and come out juicy with nicely browned edges.
You can serve them up a variety of ways, stacked like a classic burger, piled high with toppings, or even doused with gravy or served in a rice bowl. There are lots of creative ways to customize them to your tastes and add a little fun!
Katie’s tip
For more great easy meals, check out all of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for lots of savory, convenient, and delicious options!
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Frozen Turkey Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounce box Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers (4 count patties)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- 4 Brioche burger buns
- Sliced avocado (½ small avocado per burger)
- 1 Tbsp caramelized onion jam (per burger)
- Chipotle aioli (or burger sauce)
- Fresh arugula
Instructions
- Season both sides of the frozen turkey patties with salt and pepper to taste. Place burgers your air fryer in a single layer, allowing air space between each one (a tiny amount of overlap is OK depending on the size of your basket; they will shrink as they cook)16 ounce box Trader Joe’s frozen turkey burgers, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 10 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 5-7 more minutes, until the center reaches at least 165°F. If you want to add cheese, do so during the last minute of cooking just to melt it on, or even just let it sit in the residual heat
- Add burgers to buns and add other toppings and sides as desired (pictured: sweet potato chips). Enjoy!4 Brioche burger buns, Sliced avocado, 1 Tbsp caramelized onion jam, Chipotle aioli (or burger sauce), Fresh arugula
Notes
- You can use other brands of frozen turkey burgers as desired. This recipe assumes the use of raw (not fully cooked) patties. Fully cooked take less time since you’re just reheating them
- Trader Joes does add salt and rosemary extract to their turkey burgers, but I find they need more seasoning. Beyond salt and pepper, you can also use: poultry seasoning, BBQ rub, Cajun seasoning, everything but the bagel seasoning, or any blend that you like!
- Toppings can all be adjusted to taste. Lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese are perfect for a “standard” burger, toss with buffalo wing sauce and top with ranch or bleu cheese for a buffalo version, or add marinara and mozzarella for a pizza-inspired burger!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only (it only represents the burgers themselves)
Nutrition
