Red-Neck Turtle Burgers

4.8
(13)
11 Reviews
7 Photos

This turtle burger recipe is a great kid's favorite, whether grilled, fried, or baked; it works for all types of hot dogs and hamburgers. If you make smaller patties, you can use hamburger buns.

Submitted by Darryl Canady
Updated on June 13, 2025
close up view of a Turtle Burger wrapped with bacon, served on a burger with tomato slices and lettuce on a burger on a white plate
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
4 burgers
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 pounds ground beef

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh chives

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard

  • 4 slices sharp Cheddar cheese

  • ½ cup chopped sweet onion (such as Maui)

  • 12 hot dogs, halved crosswise

  • 12 slices bacon, cut in half crosswise

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  2. Mix ground beef, chives, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard together in a large bowl; divide into 4 thick oval-shaped burgers. Top each burger with a slice of cheese and about 2 tablespoons onion.

  3. Create turtle-shaped burgers by poking 3 holes in the long ends of each burger. Insert cut ends of hot dog, about 1 1/2 inches into each hole to make heads and arms, and tails and legs. Press ground beef around hot dogs to secure. Cut 2 small slits, about 3/4 inch long, into ends of legs to make toes.

  4. Wrap 6 bacon halves around each burger between heads, legs, and tails, enclosing cheese and onion inside to simulate turtle shells. Secure with toothpicks.

  5. Place a baking rack into a large roasting pan; lay burgers onto the rack and cover lightly with foil.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until burgers are no longer pink in the middle and hot dog ends are browned, 20 to 30 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a burger should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

553 Calories
42g Fat
4g Carbs
37g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 553
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 17g 87%
Cholesterol 134mg 45%
Sodium 1382mg 60%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 37g 74%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 122mg 9%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 479mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.