These delightful sliders offer a perfect balance of savory turkey and crisp, tart green apple, all nestled in soft slider buns. They’re wonderfully moist, bursting with fresh flavor, and make for an easy yet impressive meal or appetizer.
These tender turkey sliders are a refreshing twist on a classic, featuring bright apple notes and a hint of savory goodness, perfect for any occasion.
Recipe Details
* Flavor Profile: Savory turkey with a sweet and tart crispness from the green apple, complemented by subtle herbs and a hint of sweetness.
* Textures: Tender, juicy turkey patties paired with the refreshing crunch of apple and the soft pillowy buns.
* Total Active Time: 20 minutes
* Difficulty Level: Easy
What You’ll Need
For these wholesome turkey and green apple sliders, you’ll be working with ground turkey and fresh green apples as your stars. You’ll also mix in some binding and flavoring agents like breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings, all coming together to form delightfully tender patties. They’ll be baked to perfection and then nestled into soft slider buns, ready to be enjoyed.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Turkey – This is the lean base for our sliders. Opt for 93% lean or 94% lean for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Green Apple – A Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apple works beautifully here. Its tartness cuts through the richness of the turkey and adds a wonderful crisp texture.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier texture, but regular dried breadcrumbs can also be used.
- Egg – This acts as a binder, helping to hold all the ingredients together in the turkey patties.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a depth of savory, umami flavor that complements the turkey perfectly.
- Slider Buns – Choose your favorite soft slider buns for serving. Brioche or potato buns are particularly delightful.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Cheese: A thin slice of mild cheddar, Swiss, or provolone cheese can be added to each slider patty during the last few minutes of baking for a cheesy delight.
- Herbs: Freshly chopped parsley or chives can be mixed into the turkey mixture for an extra layer of fresh flavor.
- Onions: Finely minced red onion or shallots can be added to the turkey mixture for a subtle oniony bite.
- Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to the turkey mixture if you enjoy a little heat.
How to Make Wholesome Turkey and Green Apple Sliders
Creating these delicious sliders is wonderfully straightforward. You’ll begin by preparing the turkey mixture, then form and bake the patties, and finally assemble your sliders.
- Preheat & Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground turkey, chopped green apple, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough patties. A light touch is key to keeping them tender.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Gently shape each portion into a small, round patty, about 1/2 inch thick and slightly larger than your slider buns, as they will shrink a bit during baking.
- Bake Patties: Arrange the patties on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and the patties are cooked through and lightly golden.
- Assemble Sliders: Once baked, place a turkey patty on the bottom half of each slider bun. Top with your desired toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, or a dollop of your favorite sauce. Place the top half of the bun on each, and secure with a toothpick if needed.
Pro Tip: The key to tender turkey sliders is to handle the mixture as little as possible. Overworking the ground turkey can make the patties dense and tough.
Recipe Tips
- Gentle Mixing: As mentioned, resist the urge to overwork the turkey mixture. Just mix until everything is just combined.
- Apple Size: Ensure your green apple is finely chopped so it distributes evenly and cooks nicely within the patties.
- Doneness Test: The most reliable way to ensure your turkey patties are safely cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a patty to check for 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Uniform Size: Try to make your patties as uniform in size as possible to ensure they bake evenly.
- Resting (Optional but Recommended): Allowing the baked patties to rest for a minute or two before assembling can help them retain their juices.
FAQs
- Can I make these sliders on the stovetop?
While the recipe is written for baking, you could potentially pan-fry the patties over medium heat for about 4–5 minutes per side, checking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Be sure to adjust cooking time based on patty thickness. - How can I make these sliders gluten-free?
To make these sliders gluten-free, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of regular ones. Ensure your Worcestershire sauce is also gluten-free. - How should I store leftover sliders?
Leftover turkey patties can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. It’s best to store the assembled sliders separately from the buns if possible to prevent the buns from becoming soggy. Reheat the patties gently before assembling. - Can I substitute the green apple?
While green apple is ideal for its tartness and crispness, a firm, slightly tart red apple like a Fuji or Gala could work. However, you might miss some of the bright tartness.
Serving Suggestions
These Wholesome Turkey and Green Apple Sliders are fantastic on their own but also pair beautifully with a variety of sides. Consider serving them with:
- A light and crisp coleslaw
- Sweet potato fries or regular oven fries
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- A side of baked beans
- Cucumber and dill salad
Make This Recipe in Advance
Turkey Mixture: The turkey mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Gently form the patties just before baking.
Baked Patties: The baked turkey patties can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them gently in the oven or a skillet before assembling your sliders. This is a great way to have a quick meal ready when you need it.
Print
Wholesome Turkey and Green Apple Sliders
- Total Time: 17 minute
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
Description
These delightful sliders offer a perfect balance of savory turkey and crisp, tart green apple, all nestled in soft slider buns. They’re wonderfully moist, bursting with fresh flavor, and make for an easy yet impressive meal or appetizer. These tender turkey sliders are a refreshing twist on a classic, featuring bright apple notes and a hint of savory goodness, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey (93% lean is ideal)
1/2 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and grated
1/3 cup red onion, very finely minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
For Assembly:
8 small whole wheat slider buns
Mayonnaise or honey mustard
Baby spinach leaves
Sliced cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the apple and onion. Grate the apple and place it on a paper towel, gently squeezing out extra moisture. Finely mince the red onion.
2. Combine ground turkey, grated apple, minced red onion, minced garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
3. Gently mix the ingredients with your hands until just combined to avoid tough patties.
4. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and form into small patties. Press a small dimple into the center of each patty.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
6. Cook the patties in the hot skillet for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through to 165F. Add cheese during the last minute of cooking, if using, and cover to melt.
7. Lightly toast the slider buns.
8. Assemble the sliders. Spread mayonnaise or honey mustard on the bottom buns, add spinach leaves, top with the turkey patties, and then the top buns.
Notes
The most reliable way to ensure your turkey patties are safely cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a patty to check for 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Try to make your patties as uniform in size as possible to ensure they bake evenly.
Allowing the baked patties to rest for a minute or two before assembling can help them retain their juices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
