Description
A flavorful and healthy Greek-inspired turkey burger recipe featuring lean ground turkey mixed with fresh herbs and spices, topped with homemade tzatziki sauce, and served on toasted whole wheat or brioche buns with fresh vegetables and optional feta cheese. Perfect for a quick and nutritious meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Turkey Burgers
- 1½ lbs (680 g) ground turkey (93% lean)
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup cucumber, finely grated and drained
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt, to taste
For Serving
- 4 whole wheat or brioche burger buns, toasted
- 1 cup arugula or baby spinach
- 1 tomato, sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, and salt. Mix well until smooth, then cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the burgers.
- Form the Turkey Patties: In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, finely chopped red onion, parsley, dill, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Gently mix the ingredients together without overworking the meat, then divide and shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.
- Cook the Turkey Burgers: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the turkey patties in the skillet and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) indicating the burgers are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Toast the Buns: While the patties cook or immediately after, lightly toast the burger buns either in a separate skillet or in the oven until golden and slightly crispy.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spread a generous amount of the chilled tzatziki sauce on both the top and bottom halves of each toasted bun. Layer with arugula or baby spinach, place a cooked turkey patty on the bottom half, add slices of tomato and thinly sliced red onion, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese if desired. Close with the top bun and serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the grated cucumber well to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Feel free to substitute fresh herbs based on availability; mint can add a nice twist to the tzatziki.
- For a lighter option, use whole wheat buns and skip the feta cheese.
- Leftover tzatziki can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and used as a dip or sauce for other dishes.
