The Turkey Burg
Sometimes you just crave a big, delicious, juicy, burger. But I will be honest, doing to a restaurant to pay $20 for one doesn’t always sound appealing. Especially when I could make 4-6 of them for the same price.
And you know what I almost always have on hand? Ground turkey.
Ah, the classic turkey burger - a leaner alternative to your typical beef burger. Gutless fat content definitely doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
In fact, with a few clever ingredients and techniques, you can make a turkey burger that will rival any beef burger out there. And of course, every topping is totally customizable!
Turkey burgers can be notoriously more dry than a beef burger because it has so much less fat content. This recipe really strives to add in some moisture, and the toppings help so much too!
My personal favorite is a caramelized onion and mushroom blend to add some moisture and make it even more savory!
Here’s my recipe for a truly delicious turkey burger:
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 C breadcrumbs (or crushed up Ritz crackers!)
1/4 C chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
Salt/Pepper
4 Slices of your favorite cheese
4 Buns
Your raw choice of toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, etc.)
Your cooked choice of toppings (mushrooms, onions, chiles, etc
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
2. Add in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined - be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the burgers tough.
3. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties.
4. Heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, its a really great investment. I can recommend one here!
5. In another skillet, add oil to medium heat and sauté your choice of cooked ingredients with some pepper. Ex: Onions, peppers, and mushrooms should have a beautiful golden crust without being mushy, about 4-5 minutes.
6. In the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a slice of cheese and allow it to melt.
7. Toast the buns and assemble your burgers with your choice of toppings.
Voila! A turkey burger that's anything but boring. The breadcrumbs help keep the burger moist and flavorful, while the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce add a tangy kick.
And of course, the melted cheese is the perfect finishing touch.
If you want to add a little extra creativity without doing any extra work, try using different types of buns. Sesame buns, whole wheat, and even pretzel buns make delicious options!
Enjoy!
