Tex Mex Turkey Burger Sliders
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Turkey Burger Sliders are a fiesta of flavor you can hold in one hand! They’re coated with chipotle seasoning and laden with creamy guac, zesty salsa, and cheddar cheese. Served on buttery grilled buns, these are easily the best turkey burger sliders you can make in 15 minutes!
Table of Contents
Turkey Burger Sliders
I mean, really, who doesn’t love sliders? They’re everything you love about a burger but in a cute, handheld size!
Kids grab one, I grab two (or three, or four…), and everyone leaves full and satisfied!
It’s not your average turkey burger sliders recipe, either — these burgers are literally loaded with southwest chipotle flavor!
Next time you’re brainstorming appetizers, a fun new recipe for game day, or just a quick and painless weeknight meal, give this easy recipe for turkey burger sliders a try!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground Turkey – I’m usually grabbing the 93:7 ground turkey because that’s the first thing I see, but the less lean options (90, 85, etc.) are fine to use too.
Substitute the ground turkey with ground chicken — no changes and no problem! - Chipotle Seasoning – Mrs. Dash SW Chipotle Seasoning is my absolute favorite. I put it on everything! But you can use any chipotle seasoning blend you have in your pantry.
And if you don’t have any in your pantry, you can easily whip some up with any chili powder, paprika, onion and garlic powder, and salt that you have lying around. Even better if you can add some dried cilantro and cumin! - Salsa – Use any brand you like! I usually go with Wholly. Mild, medium, and hot are all delicious, depending on your spice preference.
Pico de gallo is also an awesome topping, and it’s a little less moist. Lots of room to customize here! - Guacamole – Again, Wholly is my go-to. But any brand works!
I also have a few guacamole recipes up my sleeve — so whether you like it chunky, healthy as can be, or as close to that Chipotle guac as you can get, I’ve got you covered! - Cheddar Cheese – Has anyone ever been upset to find melted cheddar on their burger? I don’t think so!
Because this recipe for turkey burger sliders has a southwestern theme, some other cheeses include Pepper Jack, chipotle Jack, and Monterey Jack. - Slider Rolls – Brioche, pretzel, sweet Hawaiian, basic buttery slider buns… really, any of them will work!
How to Make the Best Turkey Burger Sliders
- Watch the internal temperature of your patties.
Make sure you’re cooking your poultry long enough that it’s safe to eat!
If you’re used to cooking with beef, you might be thrown off by the safe temperature for turkey: 165°F compared to beef’s 145°F.
Of course, you don’t want to overcook them, either. Using a meat thermometer and not making the patties too large will help a lot with this.
- No grill? No problem!
I usually make this turkey burger sliders recipe on a gas or charcoal grill, but a tabletop grill or even a grill pan that you use on your stove is totally fine.
Honestly, you could make these in any ol’ skillet, too — it’s all about high, even heat!
Preheating is your best friend when it comes to burgers! Let that grill, griddle, or stovetop get nice and hot before you get started.
- Explore other Tex-Mex toppings.
There are loads of mouthwatering Tex-Mex toppings — think of what you’d find at a taco bar — that would make these the best turkey burger sliders you’ve ever had!
The veggies are easy: any fajita vegetables are a no-brainer! Bell peppers, jalapenos, onions, etc.
Pickled vegetables are also awesome for a little acidity and crunch.
Some crispy tortilla strips or Fritos are also spectacular options to give your sliders a little texture.
For some freshness, mango, pineapple, or corn salsa are a few sweeter, juicy alternatives to regular salsa or pico de gallo!
And any crema or queso is great for drizzling onto your sliders to add some moisture.
Prep Ahead
- Portion ground meat
- Season the patties
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Outdoor or Countertop Grill
- Heat-Safe Spatula for flipping the patties and grilling the buns.
- Meat Thermometer – Never second-guess if grilled meats are safe to eat! A quick-read digital thermometer provides fast and accurate results.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this recipe for turkey burger sliders with any and all BBQ and burger sides you have in your arsenal! Potato salad, fries, coleslaw — you name it!
Wouldn’t it be nice to stick to that Tex-Mex theme too? Southwestern pasta salad, mac & cheese, some crunchy nachos, or tangy Mexican street corn all sound good to me!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Turkey burger sliders can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Store the buns separately so that they don’t get soggy — those can be stored at room temperature, but make sure they’re in an airtight container to keep them from getting stale!
Reheat the patties by adding them to a skillet with a little water on medium heat. Cover and let them gently steam to get back to temperature without overcooking and drying out!
You can also do this in a microwave-safe bowl covered with a paper towel.
Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe FAQ
I actually don’t add any binders to my ground turkey sliders! As long as you don’t mess with the meat too much, those patties should stick together no problem.
That’s one of the reasons why I season the outside of the patties rather than mixing it into the meat. Overmixing is a surefire way to make tough sliders that fall apart while you’re grilling.
Well, the first thing to remember is that these do not take a ton of time to cook — just about 3 minutes per side. And overcooking them will dry them out in a flash!
Another common mistake that people make is pressing down on the patties while they’re grilling.
I know it’s super tempting, but this will squish all of the tasty juice of the meat and absolutely result in a dry burger. So leave those patties be to keep your turkey burger sliders nice and juicy.
It sure does! Turkey is an awesome, lean source of protein.
Compared to lean beef (the usual burger protein), it has just as much (if not more!) protein and way less saturated fat. It’s a fabulous protein across the board!
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Press a slight indentation so patties cook evenly
- Don’t press down on the burgers while cooking — you’ll lose juices
- Melt cheese with the lid closed for better coverage
- Toast buns lightly so they hold up to the toppings
- Drain salsa well before adding
- Use a thermometer instead of guessing doneness
- Let burgers rest briefly before assembling
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook| Twitter| Pinterest| Instagram
🔥 TSRI’s Sizzlin’ Summer Ebook
Ready to level up your summer cooking? This exclusive collection of 30 reader-favorite recipes is packed with potluck legends, no-bake treats, and BBQ showstoppers.
👉 Snag your copy today and bring the heat to your summer table!
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) THE QUICK VERSION
- Flavor-packed turkey sliders with Tex-Mex toppings
- Chipotle seasoning brings smoky heat
- Cheddar, guacamole, and salsa make them anything but boring
- Don’t overcook — 165°F is the target
- Drain salsa to avoid soggy buns
- Quick to cook, great for parties or easy dinners
- Works on grill or stovetop
- Simple upgrades make a big difference
Fully Loaded Tex-Mex Turkey Burger Sliders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounces ground turkey, about 1 ½ pounds
- 4 teaspoons Southwest chipotle seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded , (about 1 cup)
- 1 8-oz container salsa, drained
- 1 8-oz container guacamole
- 8 slider buns, split
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- PREHEAT GRILL: Preheat a grill to high heat, about 450°F.
- FORM PATTIES: Divide 24 ounces ground turkey into 8 equal portions (about 3 ounces each). Shape into patties slightly larger than the slider buns and press a shallow indentation in the center of each patty.
- SEASON PATTIES: Sprinkle the patties evenly with 4 teaspoons Southwest chipotle seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper. Gently press the seasoning into all sides of the patties.
- GRILL BURGERS: Place patties on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes until lightly charred. Flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- ADD CHEESE: During the last minute of cooking, sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded over each patty and close the grill lid until melted.
- TOAST BUNS: Spread the cut sides of the 8 slider buns, split with 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened. Place buns butter-side down on the grill and toast for about 1 minute until golden.
- ASSEMBLE SLIDERS: Spread about 2 to 3 tablespoons of 1 8-oz container guacamole on the bottom buns. Place the cheeseburger patties on top, then spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of 1 8-oz container salsa, drained over each burger.
- SERVE: Place the top buns on and serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2012, updated and republished May 2026
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
Welcome!
We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
lovely picture
your pictures could not look any better! This burger is a man's dream come true and I am thinking my mom would really enjoy these for father's day weekend
These turkey sliders have such an amazing tex mex flavor, and are the perfect serving size for company! Making these again very soon!