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One of the most rewarding parts of our marriage has been rescuing my husband from a steady diet of plain ground turkey and plain egg whites. Yes — really. That was his go-to meal for far too long.
Plain, plain, plain. How could anyone live that way?
I knew he needed saving before he tried to drown the boredom in ketchup.
Enter the turkey burger. We still use ground beef for the occasional burger, but sometimes a near–fat-free turkey burger is a welcome change: heart-healthy, low in fat, and a lighter alternative every now and then.
Using 99% extra-lean ground turkey breast, I add a mix of seasonings, whole-wheat breadcrumbs, and a touch of olive oil.
Well, not every single spice in the cabinet, but that’s how it felt the first time I tasted his nightly dinner. Out of desperation I threw nearly everything I had into the turkey to cover up that bland, uninspired flavor.
Over the years the recipe has been refined, and now that we have an outdoor grill, the whole process is even better. The smell of plain ground turkey on a George Foreman in our tiny apartment used to be so intolerable that I nearly lost it. Even now, the sight of that grill makes me a little queasy.
Still, I managed to keep my composure, create this turkey burger, and transform my husband’s dinner routine — making him smell and taste vastly better than in those previous, flavorless years.
Once the patties are cooked, we like to serve them on a whole-wheat bun with fresh mixed greens and tomato.
The Best Turkey Burger
Ingredients:
- 1–2 lbs 99% extra-lean ground turkey breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup seasoned whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat a grill or skillet.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix gently until just combined.
- Form into four even patties.
- Cook until heated through and the internal temperature is safe for poultry.
- Serve on whole-wheat buns with fresh spring greens and sliced tomato.
This burger is perfect if you’re sticking to a New Year’s resolution — low-fat, heart-healthy, flavorful, and quick to prepare. And if you do fall off the wagon a couple of weeks in, there are always treats to tempt you back. I’ve got you covered. 🙂