Caramelized Onion & Whipped Ricotta Turkey Protein Sliders with Balsamic Glaze

These gourmet-style turkey sliders are exploding on Pinterest for their incredible flavor-to-effort ratio. Sweet caramelized onions meet creamy whipped ricotta on a juicy, high-protein turkey patty, all finished with a tangy balsamic glaze. They deliver restaurant-quality taste with simple pantry ingredients and come together in one skillet, making them the ultimate viral weeknight win.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6 sliders

Ingredients

• For the Caramelized Onions & Glaze:
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• For the Turkey Patties:
• 1 lb (450g) 93% lean ground turkey
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• For Assembly:
• 6 small slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, toasted
• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Microgreens or arugula for garnish

Instructions

1. 1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-18 minutes until deeply golden brown and soft.
2. 2. Make the Glaze: Push onions to one side of the skillet. Add balsamic vinegar and honey to the empty space. Let simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened, then stir into the onions. Remove onion mixture to a bowl.
3. 3. Mix Turkey Patties: In a medium bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, panko, minced garlic, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. 4. Form & Cook Patties: Using the same skillet (increase heat to medium), shape the turkey mixture into 6 equal-sized patties, slightly wider than your buns. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and browned.
5. 5. Whip the Ricotta: While patties cook, add ricotta, lemon juice, and parsley to a small bowl. Whip with a fork until smooth and slightly fluffy.
6. 6. Toast Buns: Lightly toast slider buns or rolls in a toaster or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden.
7. 7. Assemble Sliders: Spread a generous layer of whipped ricotta on the bottom bun. Top with a hot turkey patty.
8. 8. Add Toppings: Spoon a heap of the caramelized onion mixture over the patty. Drizzle with any remaining balsamic glaze from the bowl.
9. 9. Garnish & Serve: Top with a few microgreens or arugula leaves and the top bun. Secure with a skewer if desired. Serve immediately.

Chef's Note

Don't rush the onions! Low and slow cooking is the secret to deep, sweet caramelization without burning. Adding a pinch of salt at the start helps draw out their moisture.

Make-Ahead Tips

Caramelized onions can be made 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Whipped ricotta can be made 1 day ahead. Patties can be shaped, placed on a parchment-lined tray, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Substitutions

Ground chicken or lean beef can replace turkey. For dairy-free, use a thick, plain plant-based yogurt instead of ricotta. Maple syrup can replace honey.