GF Teriyaki Chicken Burgers

Change up your burger game with these savory Teriyaki Chicken Burgers. Healthier, lighter, and loaded with flavor, they make an easy and delicious meal. Pair with your favorite GF bun, pre-shredded cole slaw, and sweet potato fries and hit repeat!

this recipe!

GF Teriyaki Sauce

I make my own Teriyaki sauce for this recipe because I have yet to find a gluten-free Teriyaki sauce that I like. The sauce is simple to make with pantry staples in about 10 minutes. And if you don’t already have Mirin stocked in your fridge, you will love having it around for future recipes. It adds a lovely amount of sweetness and umami to sauces, like Teriyaki.

Classic Flavors

This Teriyaki Chicken Burgers recipe uses the classic flavor combination of ginger, garlic, and sesame with a touch of sweet Mirin and salty Tamari for amazing layers of flavor. And while the sauce is great with the burgers, it also works beautifully on vegetables, beef, and tofu. I recommend doubling the recipe and saving half in a jar in the fridge for future use.

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• ¼ cup gluten free bread or cracker crumbs
• ? cup Teriyaki Sauce (finding a GF version is difficult, so I make my own- see  recipe below)
• 2 scallions (green onions, sliced)

For the Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce

• 1” piece fresh ginger grated (or ½ teaspoon powdered ginger)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
• ¼ cup Tamari (gluten free soy sauce)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 Tablespoons Mirin (rice wine- adds sweetness and umami to the sauce)
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (or honey)
• ¼ cup water

How to make these tasty burgers:

1. First you will need to make the Teriyaki sauce so that you can add some to the burgers before cooking. You will reserve some for topping the burgers, but feel free to double the recipe and save it in the fridge for future use.
2. Grate the ginger, mince or press the garlic, and then whisk all the Teriyaki sauce ingredients in a small saucepan.
3. Stir the Teriyaki mixture and bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Remove the sauce from heat. It will thicken as it cools.

How to Make and Cook the Patties

1. Add ¼ cup of the Teriyaki Sauce to the ground chicken, sliced scallions, and breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl. Then stir to combine.
2. Divide the mixture into quarters and form it into 4 rounded, flattened patties. For smaller burgers, divide the mixture into 6 patties.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook the Teriyaki burgers for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Serve the GF Teriyaki Chicken Burgers with with a Gluten Free bun (we love Trader Joe’s hamburger buns or Canyon Bakehouse buns!) and a drizzle of the Teriyaki Sauce, or serve over a salad of shredded Napa cabbage, shaved carrots, cilantro, and cucumbers. 

Sauce for Gluten Free Teriyaki Burgers

If you want to take the GF Teriyaki Burgers to the next level, whip up a batch of Yum Yum Sauce to have with it! We like to dip sweet potato fries into it and serve it with the  Teriyaki burgers. So simple and so delicious.

• There are many different ways to make it, but I like this simple version:
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne chili powder (or chipotle for smoky heat!)
• If you’d like to add 1 Tablespoon melted butter, it adds extra richness.

FAQ’s

Can I make this recipe with ground turkey? Yes, it works great with ground turkey, but the turkey tends to have a lower fat content, so I’d recommend adding about 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil, mayonnaise, or smashed avocado to the meat mixture. The added fat will add the necessary moisture.

Can I grill the Teriyaki Burgers? Yes, you can do these on the grill, but be gentle so they don’t fall apart as they cook.

Does this recipe make good meatballs? Yes! And I’m so glad you asked! Roll these into small meatballs and serve them with rice noodles for a delicious twist on spaghetti and meatballs.

Can I freeze these burgers? You can freeze these, but they are best cooked and eaten the same day. If you want to make the Teriyaki Burgers ahead of time, I’d recommend making the Teriyaki meat mixture, shaping them into patties, and freezing them before cooking them. Separate the patties with parchment and place them in a ziplock or airtight container. Then thaw and cook the burgers according to the instructions.

Looking for more delicious dinner recipes? Check out some of these favorites!

• Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
• Pesto Rosso with Pasta
• Creamy Beef and Noodles
• Easy Sheet Pan Dinners