Serving Up Smashburger Perfection: Why a Turkey Serving Tray is Your Best Bet

Smashburgers are a delightful dish, perfect for casual weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings. Their crispy edges, juicy patties, and customizable toppings make them a crowd-pleaser every time. But have you ever considered the best way to present and serve these mouthwatering creations? While the focus is often on the burger itself, the serving aspect is just as important for a complete and enjoyable dining experience. Enter the unsung hero of burger presentation: the Turkey Serving Tray.

You might be thinking, “A turkey serving tray? Isn’t that for Thanksgiving?” And while it’s certainly designed to handle a large roasted turkey, its size and versatility make it an exceptional choice for serving a variety of dishes, including, you guessed it, smashburgers! Let’s dive into why a turkey serving tray could be the unexpected star of your next burger night.

turkey smashburgers with fries on serving tray

The Homemade Smashburger Sensation

Before we delve deeper into serving solutions, let’s quickly recap what makes these homemade turkey smashburgers so irresistible. This recipe takes lean ground turkey and transforms it into flavorful, cheesy smashburgers that rival any restaurant version. Forget dry, bland turkey burgers – these are packed with savory spices, melty cheddar, and a tangy homemade burger sauce that elevates every bite. Inspired by the desire for a perfect homemade burger, this recipe is surprisingly simple and quick, making it ideal for busy weeknights when takeout temptation strikes.

What Goes Into a Great Turkey Smashburger?

smashburger ingredients

The magic of these smashburgers lies in the quality of ingredients and the smash technique. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Key Ingredients:

Ground Turkey: Opt for ground turkey thighs for a richer flavor and juicier burger.
Savory Spices: A blend of onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika creates a robust, savory profile.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Thin slices of sharp cheddar melt beautifully over the hot patties, but feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese.
Homemade Burger Sauce: This simple sauce, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, relish, and spices, adds a tangy, creamy element that perfectly complements the burger.
Brioche Buns: Fluffy brioche buns are the ideal vessel for these juicy burgers, providing a touch of sweetness and soft texture.

ground turkey with spices

Ingredient Swaps & Variations:

Turkey Alternatives: Dark meat ground turkey or even traditional ground beef can be used based on preference.
Cheese Options: Dairy-free cheese or mashed avocado can be substituted for dietary needs or preferences.
Bun Customization: Use your favorite burger buns or go bunless with lettuce wraps for a lighter option.

Essential Tools for Smashburger Success

balls of ground turkey for patties on sheet pantwo ground turkey smash burger patties in cast iron skillet

To achieve that perfect smashburger texture and flavor, a few key kitchen tools will come in handy:

Large Skillet or Griddle: Cast iron is ideal for even heat distribution and achieving a crispy sear.
Burger Press: A burger press is crucial for smashing the patties thin and evenly.
Parchment Paper: Used to prevent sticking when smashing the patties.
Spatula: A sturdy spatula is needed to scrape the thin patties from the skillet.
Mixing Bowl: For combining the ground turkey and spices.

Mastering the Turkey Smashburger: Step-by-Step

Getting Started:

Gently mix ground turkey with spices in a bowl, being careful not to overmix.
Divide the mixture into 8 equal balls (about 2 ounces each).

Smashing and Cooking:

Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a touch of oil.
Place 1-2 turkey balls in the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd.
Cover with parchment paper and smash thin with a burger press.
Cook for 2-3 minutes, scrape, and flip.
Top with cheese and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Assembly and Serving:

Remove patties and assemble burgers on toasted brioche buns.
Generously spread burger sauce and add your favorite toppings.
Repeat until all patties are cooked.

burger sauce in bowl with spoon

Top-Tier Toppings for Your Turkey Smashburgers

The beauty of smashburgers is in their customizability! While the sauce and cheese are essential, the toppings are where you can truly personalize your burger experience. Some classic and delicious options include:

Homemade Burger Sauce: The tangy, creamy base.
Thinly Sliced Red Onion: Adds a sharp bite and visual appeal.
Crisp Green Leaf Lettuce: Provides freshness and texture.
Juicy Sliced Tomato: Classic burger staple.
Tangy Sliced Pickles: Adds crunch and acidity.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with other toppings like caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, avocado, or different types of cheese.

Serving Suggestions: Presenting Your Smashburgers with Flair on a Turkey Serving Tray

Now, let’s circle back to our star serving solution: the turkey serving tray. Why is it so ideal for smashburgers?

Ample Space: Turkey serving trays are typically large, providing plenty of room to arrange multiple smashburgers without overcrowding. This is especially useful when serving a group.
Designated Sections: Many turkey serving trays come with divided sections or wells. These are perfect for separating burger components – you can arrange the cooked smashburger patties in the center, and use the surrounding sections for toppings like sliced onions, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce, and even bowls of burger sauce. This creates an organized and visually appealing burger bar.
Keeps Food Warm: Some turkey serving trays are designed to be oven-safe or come with warming stands, which can help keep your smashburger patties warm if you’re preparing them in batches or serving buffet-style.
Elevated Presentation: A dedicated serving tray elevates the presentation of your smashburgers, making them feel more special and less like a rushed weeknight meal. It’s perfect for casual gatherings where you still want to impress your guests with your attention to detail.
Versatility Beyond Burgers: Investing in a turkey serving tray means you have a versatile serving piece that can be used for much more than just burgers. Think roasted chicken, grilled vegetables, appetizers, or even desserts.

To create a stunning smashburger presentation on your turkey serving tray:

Arrange the patties: Place the cooked turkey smashburger patties in the center of the tray.
Organize toppings: Fill the surrounding sections or bowls on the tray with an array of toppings in an organized and colorful manner.
Add buns: Place a stack of toasted brioche buns on one side of the tray for easy access.
Include sides: Don’t forget side dishes! French fries, onion rings, coleslaw, or potato salad can be arranged around the burgers or in separate serving dishes placed alongside the tray.
Burger Sauce Station: Place a bowl of burger sauce with a serving spoon directly on the tray or nearby for easy self-service.

smashburgers with burger sauce and fries

Make-Ahead Tips and Serving Freshness

Smashburgers are best enjoyed fresh and hot. However, here are a few tips to help with prep and serving:

Prep Burger Mix: The ground turkey mixture can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Cook Patties to Order: For the best quality, cook the patties just before serving.
Keep Patties Warm (Optional): If needed, cooked patties can be kept warm in a low oven before assembling.
Toast Buns Ahead: Buns can be toasted ahead of time to save a step during assembly.
Burger Sauce in Advance: The burger sauce can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Elevate Your Burger Game with a Turkey Serving Tray

This Homemade Turkey Smashburger Recipe is a guaranteed hit, offering incredible flavor and ease of preparation. And by taking a moment to consider your serving presentation, especially by utilizing a versatile turkey serving tray, you can elevate your burger night from simple to spectacular. So, next time you’re planning smashburgers, reach for that turkey serving tray and get ready to serve up a truly memorable meal!

If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below! You can also snap a photo and tag @allthehealthythings on Instagram. Your feedback helps support content creation and allows for continued recipe development.

Recipe Description

This Homemade Smashburger recipe features lean ground turkey, melty cheese, tangy burger sauce, and your favorite toppings on fluffy brioche buns. Quick and easy enough for weeknights, yet delicious enough to rival your favorite burger joint!

Ingredients

Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

1 pound ground turkey, dark meat preferred
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
Avocado oil, for cooking
8 thin slices sharp cheddar cheese
4 brioche buns, toasted

For Serving:

Burger Sauce
Thinly sliced red onion
Green leaf lettuce
Sliced tomato
Sliced pickles

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika. Gently mix with your fingers, being careful not to overmix.
Divide the turkey mixture into 8 equal portions, approximately 2-ounces each. Form into balls.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of avocado oil. Place 1-2 turkey balls onto the hot surface (avoid overcrowding).
Cover each patty with parchment paper and use a burger press to smash it thin. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned. Use a spatula to scrape the patty from the surface and flip.
Immediately top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the burger reaches 165°F.
Remove from heat and assemble your smashburgers on toasted brioche buns. Top with burger sauce, red onion, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, or your favorite toppings. Serve immediately.

Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Eat Love Eat