Sheet Pan Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potatoes Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before starting, heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Take the ground turkey out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for no more than 30 minutes.

Scrub the sweet potatoes and cut them into even wedges. Have the salt, pepper, olive oil, shredded cheese, and chipotle oil measured and ready. Set out a large bowl for mixing the turkey and a smaller bowl for tossing the sweet potatoes.

Instructions

Prep the Sheet Pan

1. 1Prepare the Pan and Burgers
   Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into 1/2-inch-thick patties, about 4 inches wide. Place the patties on the prepared sheet pan, leaving space between them.
   Look for Patties are evenly shaped, about 4 inches wide, and placed in a single layer on the sheet pan.
   Tip Wet your hands lightly with cold water before shaping the patties to keep the meat from sticking.
2. 2Arrange Sweet Potato Wedges
   Scrub the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1-inch-thick wedges. In a large bowl, toss the wedges with the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the wedges in a single layer on the sheet pan around the turkey patties, making sure they do not overlap.
   Look for Sweet potato wedges are evenly coated with oil and placed in a single layer, not touching.
   Tip For crispier wedges, pat them dry with a paper towel before tossing with oil.

At the end of this phase, the sheet pan holds four evenly shaped turkey patties and a layer of sweet potato wedges.

The patties are about 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches wide, and the wedges are cut into uniform 1-inch pieces. Everything is lightly seasoned and coated with oil, ready for the oven.

Bake and Top

3. 3Bake the Pan
   Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Use a spatula to flip the sweet potato wedges and turn the turkey patties over. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the turkey patties are cooked through and the sweet potatoes are golden and tender.
   Look for The sweet potatoes are lightly browned on the edges and the turkey patties are no longer pink in the center.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip Use a spatula to flip the wedges and patties carefully to keep them intact.
4. 4Add Pepper Jack and Chipotle Oil
   Once the turkey patties are cooked through, remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded pepper jack evenly over each patty. Drizzle the chipotle oil over the patties and the sweet potato wedges. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
   Look for The cheese is fully melted and the oil is shimmering on the wedges.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip If the cheese is not melting quickly, switch the oven to broil for the last minute, watching closely to avoid burning.

After the first bake, the patties are browned on both sides and the sweet potatoes are starting to crisp at the edges. The cheese is melted into a smooth, golden layer over each burger, and the chipotle oil has added a glossy sheen. The kitchen smells smoky and savory.

Rest and Serve

5. 5Rest and Serve
   Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the burgers rest for 3 minutes. Use a spatula to lift each burger onto serving plates, with the melted cheese on top. Serve the sweet potato wedges alongside, with any extra chipotle oil drizzled over if desired.
   Look for The burgers are juicy and the cheese is melted; the sweet potatoes are crisp on the edges.
   Safe temperature 165°F (74°C) internal temperature (poultry)
   Tip Resting the burgers helps the juices redistribute, keeping them moist.

The burgers have rested for 3 minutes, allowing the juices to settle. The cheese is still warm and gooey, and the sweet potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender inside. The pan is ready to be brought to the table for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Common mistakes

One common mistake is overcrowding the sheet pan, which traps steam and prevents browning. Make sure the patties and wedges are in a single layer with space around each piece.

Another is overworking the turkey when forming patties, which can make them dense and tough. Mix just until combined and handle the meat gently. Finally, do not skip the rest time after baking—this allows the burgers to stay juicy and the cheese to set slightly.

How to tell it’s done

The turkey burgers are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part. The sweet potatoes should be tender when pierced with a fork and have golden-brown edges.

The pepper jack cheese should be fully melted and bubbling. After removing the pan from the oven, let the burgers rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

• Ground meat: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part
• Poultry: 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part