Best Cheeses To Accompany Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers are a great alternative to beef burgers, especially when topped with cheese. But with so many cheeses to choose from, which is the best? The answer depends on your personal preference, but there are some cheeses that are better suited to turkey burgers than others.

One option is to mix the cheese into the body of the turkey burger to add texture and flavour. Semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère, gouda, sharp cheddar, feta, or Swiss cheese are great options for this. These cheeses also add necessary fat to the mix, as turkey tends to be drier than beef.

If you're looking to add a slice of cheese to your cooked turkey burger, there are several options that pair well with turkey. Erika Kubick, author of Cheese Sex Death, recommends something very buttery and meltable. Options that fit this bill include American cheese, cheddar cheese, smoked gouda, gruyère, pepper jack, and brie. Feta is another option, but it doesn't melt as well as some of the other choices.

Best cheeses for binding

When it comes to binding turkey burgers, it's important to use a semi-soft cheese that can be easily grated and incorporated into the meat mixture. This adds much-needed fat and flavour to the lean turkey meat, preventing it from drying out. Here are some of the best cheeses to use for binding:

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar is a versatile and popular choice for turkey burgers. It has good melting capabilities due to its neutral pH and adds a tangy flavour to the burger. Opt for a medium cheddar to strike the perfect balance between flavour and texture.

Feta Cheese

Feta is a salty and tangy cheese that adds a creamy texture to turkey burgers. While it doesn't melt like other cheeses, it softens with heat and holds its shape. Crumble feta into the meat mixture for added flavour and moisture.

Gruyère Cheese

Gruyère, a Swiss cheese, was named the Best Cheese in the World at the 2022 World Cheese Awards. It has a buttery texture and a rich, nutty flavour that becomes more assertive with age. Its high water-to-fat ratio makes it an excellent melting cheese, perfect for binding your turkey burgers.

Blue Cheese

If you're looking for a bolder flavour, blue cheese is a great option. Opt for a softer variety, which will add a punch of flavour to your turkey burger without overwhelming it. The zesty, salty flavour of blue cheese pairs beautifully with caramelised onions.

Gouda Cheese

Gouda, a Dutch cheese, is known for its wonderful, buttery texture and high fat content. It's an excellent melting cheese that adds a smoky flavour to your turkey burger when smoked. Smoked gouda, in particular, is a favourite of cheese expert Erika Kubick, who recommends pairing it with bacon, avocado, and tomato.

American Cheese

American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers due to its exceptional melting abilities. The added emulsifiers and oils create a luxurious melt without becoming stringy or oily. While it may be milder in flavour, it can still add a nice touch of nostalgia to your turkey burger.

Melting cheeses

When it comes to choosing a cheese to melt on your turkey burger, there are several options that can add flavour and texture. Here are some melting cheeses that can elevate your turkey burger:

• American Cheese: This classic, processed cheese is a good option for those seeking nostalgia. Its mild flavour and excellent melting capabilities make it a popular choice. The added emulsifiers and oils allow it to melt smoothly without becoming stringy or oily. However, some may prefer a cheese with more flavour to complement the leaner turkey meat.
• Cheddar: A versatile and widely loved cheese, cheddar is a crowd-pleaser. It has a good melting ability due to its neutral pH, and it adds a tangy flavour to the burger. A medium cheddar offers the best balance of flavour and texture, as older cheddars may not provide the desired cheese pull.
• Blue Cheese: For those who want to add a punch of flavour to their blander turkey burger, blue cheese is an excellent choice. Opt for a soft, mild blue cheese to avoid overwhelming the other flavours. Smoked blue cheeses can also complement the grilled flavour of the patty.
• Smoked Gouda: Smoked gouda, especially when smoked over hickory wood, adds a punch of meaty, smoky flavour that pairs exceptionally well with lean turkey. It has a high-fat content, making it an even better melter than cheddar, and its buttery texture makes it a delightful choice.
• Gruyère: This Swiss cheese, named the Best Cheese in the World in 2022, is a fantastic melting option. It has a rich, nutty flavour and a buttery texture that becomes more assertive with age. Its high water-to-fat ratio allows it to melt smoothly, making it perfect for turkey burgers.
• Pepper Jack: Derived from Monterey Jack, pepper jack adds a kick of flavour to milder dishes. It includes sweet and hot peppers, as well as garlic, giving it a unique and spicy profile. It has excellent melting properties and is a great choice for those who enjoy a spicy burger.
• Raclette: Raclette cheese is known for its deep meltability and mild funkiness. Heating the cheese and scraping it onto dishes is a popular way to enjoy it, making it an ideal choice for a gooey, French-inspired turkey burger.
• Brie: Brie is a classic melter, becoming soft and gooey quickly. It pairs exceptionally well with cranberry sauce, creating a sweet and savoury combination reminiscent of Thanksgiving. Opt for double or triple-cream Brie-style cheeses for added richness.
• Taleggio: This Italian washed-rind cheese has a funky, aromatic intensity and a creamy texture. When heated, it melts smoothly and becomes creamy and runny. Taleggio adds a savoury, meaty flavour and is especially delicious when paired with cranberry sauce to balance its assertiveness.

Classic cheeses

Cheddar

Cheddar is a popular choice for turkey burgers, as it has a good melting capability and a tangy flavour. A medium cheddar offers the best balance of flavour and texture, as very mature cheddars can be harder to melt. A sharp cheddar is also a good option for adding some punch to the burger.

Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is a mild, salty cheese that is often paired with sliced turkey in deli sandwiches. It is also a good choice for a turkey burger, adding some necessary fat to the meat.

Feta

Feta is a salty, tangy cheese that can be crumbled into the meat mixture or used as a topping. It has a high acidity, so it doesn't melt like cheddar, but it does soften and become creamy when heated.

American Cheese

American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers, as it melts well without becoming stringy or oily. It has a mild flavour, so it may be better suited to beef burgers, but it can also work well with turkey.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a mild cheese with excellent melting properties, making it a good choice for a turkey burger.

Cheeses for added texture

When it comes to adding texture to your turkey burgers, there are a few cheeses that can help you achieve that. Firstly, let's talk about the role of cheese in binding and adding texture to turkey burgers. Turkey meat is leaner than beef, so it benefits from the additional fat and flavour that cheese provides. Adding cheese to the meat mixture or patty can give your burger a more desirable texture. Here are some cheeses that can enhance the texture of your turkey burgers:

Feta Cheese

Feta is a popular choice for adding texture to turkey burgers. Its salty, tangy flavour and creamy texture when heated make it an excellent option. You can mix crumbled feta into the meat mixture or sprinkle it on top of the patty. Feta pairs well with other ingredients like roasted red peppers, caramelised onions, or thyme.

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar is a versatile option that can be used in various ways to add texture. You can shred, slice, or grate it to incorporate it into the patty or use slices on top of the burger. Cheddar melts well and adds a tangy flavour to your turkey burger.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a bold choice that can add a zesty punch to your turkey burger. It pairs well with caramelised onions and other toppings. When using blue cheese, opt for a softer variety, as it will melt more easily and provide a creamier texture.

Gruyère

Gruyère, a Swiss cheese, is known for its rich, nutty flavour and excellent melting abilities. It makes a great topping for turkey burgers, adding a savoury, tangy touch. Gruyère is a good choice if you want a cheese that will smoothly melt into your burger.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

When adding cheese to the body of the turkey burger patty, look for semi-soft cheeses that can be easily grated or crumbled and incorporated into the meat mixture. Cheeses like Gruyère, Gouda, or a sharp Cheddar can add flavour and the necessary fat to bind the patty together.

Cheeses for added flavour

Turkey burgers benefit from extra fat and flavour. Because turkey is a lean meat, it tends to dry out, so adding cheese is a great way to get the desired texture and taste. Cheese can be added to the body of the burger or as a topping.

Semi-soft cheeses

When adding cheese to the body of the burger, it's best to opt for a semi-soft cheese that can be easily grated and incorporated into the meat mixture. Tangy cheeses like Gruyère or Gouda are a good choice, or you could go for something more classic like sharp cheddar, salty feta, or mild Swiss cheese. These cheeses not only add flavour but also provide necessary fat to the mix.

Pre-grated or crumbled cheese

While it is recommended to grate the cheese fresh into the patty mix, pre-grated cheese from the grocery store can be used. However, these products often contain additives that may affect the flavour. If using blue cheese or feta, crumbling them into manageable sizes is an option as they are softer cheeses.

Binders and fats

To help bind the cheese into the patty, add a few other binders and fats such as mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, miso, soy sauce, or ketchup. Breadcrumbs will also help bind everything into nice, even patties.

Melting cheese

When it comes to melting cheese, there are a few options that work well. American cheese is a classic choice for cheeseburgers due to its excellent melting capabilities. Cheddar is another good option as it has a good melting capability and a neutral pH, which makes it break down more easily. For a more robust flavour, young cheddar is recommended.

Other cheeses

Other cheeses that can be added to turkey burgers include provolone, pepper jack, goat cheese, Havarti, blue cheese, smoked gouda, raclette, brie, and taleggio.

Frequently asked questions