I’ve been wanting to make a flavorful turkey burger for a long time—one that is juicy, tender, and anything but boring. I recently found the ideal combination of flavors to turn even the most boring ground turkey into a mouthwatering, savory flavor explosion. I started with my mother-in-law’s Ima Burger recipe and added Middle Eastern spices, smoked paprika, and a tiny bit of applesauce. Ima’s original recipe is brilliant because the bread soaked in olive oil gives the lean turkey meat heart-healthy fat. The burgers are moist and flavorful when made with bread soaked in olive oil rather than bread crumbs, which can dry out the meat. To balance out the spices, applesauce adds a bit more moisture and a hint of sweetness. The addition of natural sugar also helps to create beautiful dark grill marks on the burgers. The timing of sharing this recipe with you seemed ideal, especially since the Fourth of July is quickly approaching!
We typically serve our meals mezze-style, with an abundance of salads and dips, so I usually like to make my burgers little sliders. This lets me enjoy a burger without stuffing myself to death so I can eat all the other delicious side dishes. Of course, you can increase the size of the burgers if you’d like. Just use regular-sized buns instead, and each burger should have half a cup of meat mixture.
These spicy bad boys are best served with baby kale, freshly sliced tomato, and a basic lemon herb mayo sauce. Because there are so many fantastic herbs and spices in the mixture, they don’t really need to be “dressed up.” Enjoy a patriotic party in your mouth as you grill these for the Fourth of July! Of course, you can top them with whatever you like—dill pickles, ketchup, mustard, sriracha, or anything else you can think of!
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Are you looking for ways to elevate your store-bought turkey burgers from bland and dry to juicy and flavorful? Look no further! This guide combines insights from two expert sources, “The Secret to Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Burgers” from Southern Living and “Turkey Burger Seasoning Guide: 13 Best Spices for Turkey Burgers” from Hangry Hanna, to provide you with the ultimate toolkit for creating delicious turkey burgers
The Secret to Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Burgers:
This article from Southern Living delves into the key techniques for achieving the perfect turkey burger, focusing on moisture, seasoning, and toppings Here are the key takeaways:
- Don’t overwork the meat: Overmixing leads to dryness. Gently form patties without excessive handling.
- Go bold with the seasoning: Unlike beef, turkey needs a flavor boost. Add garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes for an Italian twist. Get creative with other seasonings like Old Bay or Worcestershire sauce.
- Add a spoonful of mayonnaise: This surprising ingredient acts as a binder and adds creaminess, moisture, and flavor. The mayo melts into the patty during cooking, resulting in a juicy burger.
- Double down on sauce: Elevate the moisture further with a flavorful sauce like ranch, pesto, or aioli. Try a spicy aioli with hot sauce, paprika, chili flakes, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Stack on the condiments: Load up your burger with toppings that complement the lighter turkey meat and your chosen seasoning. Consider options like goat cheese, roasted red peppers, arugula, a sunny-side-up egg, and spicy aioli.
Turkey Burger Seasoning Guide: 13 Best Spices for Turkey Burgers:
This guide from Hangry Hanna provides a comprehensive list of spices to enhance the flavor profile of your turkey burger. Here are the top 13 spices and their unique contributions:
- Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor. Pairs well with cumin and chili powder.
- Cumin: Warm, earthy flavor that complements turkey. Staple in many spice blends, adds depth.
- Garlic Powder: Savory, slightly sweet flavor. Great alternative to fresh garlic, which can be overpowering.
- Onion Powder: Sweet, onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
- Chili Powder: Spicy, smoky flavor. Blend of spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds heat without altering the overall flavor profile.
- Thyme: Subtle, earthy flavor. Pairs well with rosemary and sage.
- Rosemary: Piney, slightly minty flavor. Pairs well with thyme and sage.
- Sage: Slightly bitter, earthy flavor. Pairs well with rosemary and thyme.
- Oregano: Slightly bitter, pungent flavor. Staple in Mediterranean dishes, pairs well with basil and thyme.
- Basil: Sweet, slightly minty flavor. Staple in Italian dishes, pairs well with oregano and thyme.
- Mustard Powder: Slightly tangy, pungent flavor. Adds flavor without adding liquid.
- Black Pepper: Spicy, slightly pungent flavor. Staple in many spice blends, pairs well with cumin and paprika.
Combining the Best of Both Worlds:
By combining the insights from both sources, you can create the ultimate turkey burger experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose your store-bought turkey burger patties. Look for options with minimal additives and a good meat-to-fat ratio for juiciness.
- Season generously with your chosen spices. Refer to the “Turkey Burger Seasoning Guide” for inspiration and create your own unique blend. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Add a spoonful of mayonnaise to the meat mixture. This will act as a binder and add moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Form the patties gently without overworking the meat. Aim for a consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Cook the patties over medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
- Top your burger with your favorite condiments and toppings. Get creative with the suggestions from “The Secret to Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Burgers” or use your own imagination.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, flavorful turkey burger!
Additional Tips:
- For extra juiciness, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a beaten egg to the meat mixture along with the mayonnaise.
- Toasting the burger buns adds a nice textural contrast and enhances the overall flavor.
- Experiment with different cooking methods like grilling, pan-frying, or baking to find your preferred texture and flavor.
- Don’t be afraid to try new combinations of spices and toppings. The possibilities are endless!
With the right techniques, seasoning, and toppings, you can transform store-bought turkey burgers into juicy, flavorful masterpieces. By following the guidance in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating delicious and satisfying turkey burgers that will please your taste buds and impress your guests.
Keywords:
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Spiced Up Turkey Burgers
- 1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey (1 package)
- 1 slice white bread, crust removed
- Extra virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons (plus extra for brushing the burgers)
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons onion, very finely minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Heaping 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or more to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons applesauce
- Vegetable oil, for frying (optional, if not grilling)
- 10 slider-sized buns for serving
- 1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise (I like Spectrum)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
- Slices of fresh tomato, baby kale or butter lettuce, and dill pickles
- Cut the crust off of your piece of bread. Pour olive oil onto a small plate. Turn the slice of crustless bread once to ensure that it has absorbed all of the olive oil. Place ground turkey in a medium mixing bowl. Add the smashed and crumbled bread, drenched in oil, to the meat along with the smoked paprika, onion, egg, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, and applesauce.
- Using a fork or clean hands, mix the ingredients until the meat is thoroughly combined with the spices and herbs. Form small, thick patties out of the meat mixture using 1/4 cup portions; as they cook, they will thin out to the size of sliders. The patties will be soft when they come off the grill, but they will firm up.
- When grilling, make sure the grill is well-greased before you begin cooking. Cook the patties by grilling or frying (I recommend grilling). To keep the burgers nice and moist while they grill, I like to occasionally brush them with olive oil. Grill for 15 – 20 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Cooking times may vary by grill type.
- I also like to grill the buns. If you’re going to do this, lightly coat the inside of the buns with olive oil and grill them open-side down for two to three minutes, or until the edges are golden crisp and the buns are warm. The burgers can be cooked in a skillet with 1/4 cup vegetable oil if you’d rather not grill them. Olive oil is what I prefer to use, but any oil with a moderately high smoke point will do Over medium heat, heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking. Burgers should be cooked through after 10 to 15 minutes of cooking, flipping them over now and then.
- Present turkey burgers with your preferred toppings and Lemon Herb Mayonnaise on slider-sized buns.
- In a small bowl, thoroughly mix mayonnaise, herbs, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Serve as a sauce for the Turkey Burgers.
Best Ever Juicy Turkey Burgers
How do you spice up a turkey burger?
Chili powder adds a spicy, smoky flavor to turkey burgers. It’s a blend of spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Use 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder per pound of ground turkey. 6. Cayenne Pepper Cayenne pepper adds heat to turkey burgers. It’s a great way to add spice without changing the overall flavor profile.
What spices go well with turkey burgers?
Paprika adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to turkey burgers. It pairs well with other spices like cumin and chili powder. Use 1-2 teaspoons of paprika per pound of ground turkey. 2. Cumin Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor that complements the mild taste of turkey. It’s a staple in many spice blends and adds depth to your burgers.
How do you add garlic to Turkey Burgers?
Garlic powder adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor to turkey burgers. It’s a great alternative to fresh garlic, which can be overpowering. Use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder per pound of ground turkey. 4. Onion Powder Onion powder adds a sweet, onion flavor to turkey burgers. It’s a great way to add onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
Is smoked paprika a good seasoning for turkey burgers?
Smoked paprika is made from chili pepper, and the generic version is usually quite mild. It is a good seasoning for turkey burgers because it adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor that complements the mild taste of turkey. It also gives the burgers a beautiful reddish-brown color that makes them more visually appealing.