Maple Thyme Turkey Burgers + Roasted Delicata Harvest Salad

High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Fall-Inspired + Whole-Food Dinner

This might be one of my new FAVOURITE fall dinners. These maple thyme turkey burgers are SO juicy, savoury, slightly sweet from pure maple syrup, and loaded with all those cozy fall flavours like thyme, garlic, paprika, and just a little cinnamon. I use extra-lean ground turkey but add grated sweet onion, egg yolk, and a little olive oil to keep the burgers tender and juicy. Because nobody wants a dry turkey burger!!!

And the roasted delicata harvest salad might honestly be just as good as the burgers. Fresh local greens, caramelized delicata squash, creamy avocado, and the BEST homemade maple Dijon lemon dressing with cinnamon and thyme. Everything has those same cozy fall flavours running through it, so the whole meal just works. It's fresh, colourful, packed with nourishing whole-food ingredients, and proof that eating well doesn't mean sacrificing flavour.

What You Need (Makes 4 Servings)

Maple Thyme Turkey Burgers

1 lb (454 g) extra-lean ground turkey
¼ sweet onion, very finely diced or grated
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
¾ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper 

Optional Maple Dijon Glaze

1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp pure maple syrup 

Roasted Delicata Harvest Salad

1 head fresh local greens, washed and dried
1 medium delicata squash
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried thyme or 1½ tsp fresh thyme
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 large avocado, diced 

Maple Dijon Lemon Dressing

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
2–3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
3–4 garlic cloves, minced or finely grated
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp dried thyme
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste 

For Serving

4 burger buns, toasted, optional
Fresh greens or arugula, optional 

Method

Roast the Delicata Squash

Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Slice the delicata squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and cut into approximately ½-inch half-moons. There's no need to peel delicata squash!

Toss with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sea salt, and black pepper.

Spread into an even layer and roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and caramelized around the edges.

Make the Maple Thyme Turkey Burgers

Add the ground turkey, grated sweet onion, egg yolk, olive oil, Dijon, maple syrup, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, cinnamon, thyme, sea salt, and black pepper to a large bowl.

Using clean hands, gently mix until just combined. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into thick burger patties, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F for approximately 12–16 minutes, or until the centres reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

If using the maple Dijon glaze, whisk together the Dijon and maple syrup and lightly brush over the burgers during the final 2–3 minutes of cooking.

Make the Maple Dijon Lemon Dressing

Add the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon, garlic, cinnamon, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper to a jar.

Secure the lid and shake really well until creamy and emulsified. Taste and adjust the maple syrup, lemon, or seasonings as needed.

Assemble the Harvest Salad

Add the fresh greens to a large serving bowl and top with the warm roasted delicata squash and diced avocado.

Drizzle with your desired amount of maple Dijon lemon dressing and gently toss just before serving.

Serve

Serve the maple thyme turkey burgers alongside a generous helping of the roasted delicata harvest salad.

If serving on buns, lightly toast them before assembling. You can also skip the buns and serve the burgers directly over the salad.

Serving Suggestions

This really is the perfect cozy fall dinner. I LOVE serving the juicy maple thyme turkey burgers alongside a huge helping of the roasted delicata harvest salad with LOTS of that homemade maple Dijon lemon dressing.

For a gluten-free option, use your favourite gluten-free burger bun or skip the bun altogether and serve the turkey burger directly over the harvest salad.

The dressing makes a generous amount, so save any extra for salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or drizzling over roasted sweet potatoes throughout the week. It's especially delicious with roasted fall vegetables because the cinnamon, thyme, and maple complement their natural sweetness SO well.

Notes

The secret to juicy turkey burgers is adding a little extra moisture and fat. Extra-lean ground turkey can dry out easily, so the grated sweet onion, egg yolk, and olive oil make a BIG difference in keeping these burgers tender and juicy.

Be careful not to overmix the turkey. Gently combine everything until just incorporated and shape the patties without packing them too tightly.

The cinnamon in the turkey burgers is intentional! You don't want them to taste like cinnamon. It's just enough to add a little warmth in the background and complement the maple and thyme.

Bake the turkey burgers until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid overcooking them, especially when using extra-lean ground turkey.

Delicata squash doesn't need to be peeled. Just wash the outside well, remove the seeds, slice, season, and roast. The skin becomes beautifully tender in the oven.

Don't skip the cinnamon and thyme in the dressing. These two ingredients really bring the entire fall salad together. The cinnamon adds warmth and enhances the natural sweetness of the roasted delicata squash, while the thyme adds a savoury, herby flavour that balances the maple syrup.

Start with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup in the dressing and add the third if you prefer something slightly sweeter. You still want the fresh lemon and Dijon to come through so the dressing tastes balanced rather than overly sweet.

The maple Dijon lemon dressing makes more than you'll likely need for one salad. Start with enough to lightly coat the greens and store the rest in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Shake well before using.

For meal prep, store the turkey burgers, roasted squash, fresh greens, avocado, and dressing separately whenever possible. Refrigerate the cooked components in airtight containers for up to 3–4 days and cut the avocado fresh when serving.

Recipe by Taylor Robinson | Holistic Health & Wellness Chef | Dishing with Tay