Many folks have tried and loved beef burgers, but really, you can make a burger from any kind of ground protein source. Not only is it a nice way to mix up your diet, it’s also a good way to stay healthy since different protein sources have varying amounts of other nutrients. Try out this Turkey Burger recipe for a little variety and fun!
Comment down below the recipe card and let me know; have you ever tried a turkey burger?
But Why Turkey?
You may be interested in trying this because you’re not the biggest fan of the traditional hamburger, or maybe you just want a change. However, there are undeniable health benefits to eating less red meat. Ground beef naturally has higher levels of saturated fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol and over time can increase the risk of heart disease. Don’t fear, ground beef isn’t the bad guy here, it just means consumption of beef should be in moderation.
Ground turkey is lower in saturated fat and generally can be purchased at a low overall fat percentage, meaning it tends to be a little drier than beef, but it’s lower in calories, making it a good lean protein source for main management.
Other than the health comparison, beef and turkey obviously taste different. Beef is known for having slightly more flavor and moisture, but with proper seasoning and pairings, turkey can be a delicious option as well.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Parsley
- Bread crumbs
- Egg
- Seasonings
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic
. Similar to ground beef, ground turkey can be purchased at varying fat percentages. The lower the percentage on the package, the more fat is in the mixture. I prefer to get extra lean, meaning somewhere about 90%, but any percentage will do for the recipe and remember that the more fat is in your mix, likely the more flavorful it will taste.
. You can get dried or partially dried parsley instead of fresh. I like to try to incorporate at least one fresh item in my recipes, but it’s not necessary.
. Make sure to get the regular seasoned bread crumbs, sometimes labeled as Italian, instead of plain or panko.
. If you don’t have onion salt, you can always use table salt and onion powder instead.
. If you’ve never heard of worcestershire sauce before, thank me later. It’s a super flavorful addition to basically any meat marinade.
How to Make this Burger
Add all the ingredients to a large bowl, then with clean hand, mash it all together until mixed. A little nasty, I know, but in my opinion it’s the best way to get the job done. Once it’s mixed, split into four and form patties with your hands. You can pan fry, barbecue, or bake these patties until they’re cooked through, them make your burger and chow down.
What to Pair with this Burger
To get the same burger as pictured, toast your bun well, then add a bed of arugula, the patty, a sprinkling of plain goat cheese, and my Pickled Red Onions. This burger goes great with fries or homemade potato chips, or even a simple arugula salad with the same ingredients as the assembled burger. If you’re not feeling as fanciful as goat cheese or have a dairy intolerance, try out smashed avocado, arugula or spinach, and tomato slices.
Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley, preferably fresh
- 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp onion salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 3-4 cloves minced garlic
Instructions
- With clean hands, mix together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Once fully incorporated, form four balls.
- With hands, flatten balls into circular patty shapes. Press down on the center of the patty to create a slight indent.
- Cook on prepared barbecue grill for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.