Greek Turkey Burgers

The first day of spring always sparks my cravings for more fresh, brighter foods and dreaming of warm summer nights grilling outside that are on the way. But if you live in an area where warm weather really doesn’t start coming around until May like me, those cravings can be quite hard to satisfy since I don’t really love standing out by a grill when it’s 30 degrees F. outside. My solution? Taking these bright, refreshing flavors and using them to create meals that feel and taste like summer but can be made in the warmth of my kitchen. This type of cooking is what I rely on to get me through brisk spring days. One go-to recipe on this list is this delicious Greek Turkey Burger recipe that is packed with fresh ingredients and completely satisfies that burger craving. Honestly, it’s a recipe I make year-round whenever I’m craving a juicy burger but want to keep things light and fresh.

Burgers are a well-known staple in many American diets and if made with nutrition in mind, they can actually be an incredible source of all the key components in the diet. A burger that is made with a lean meat in a whole wheat or homemade burger bun then topped with fresh vegetables and natural cheese is a meal that’s an excellent source of whole grains, fiber, protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. The key to making a nutrient-dense burger is focusing on high quality ingredients and a cooking method that supports nutrition and flavor. The other beauty of burgers is that they are extremely versatile and customizable. You can mix up everything from the type of meat, the herbs and spices, the vegetable toppings, the sauce, and even the way you cook the burger to keep things interesting and cater the flavors to whatever you and and your family prefers. This Greek Turkey Burger is a great example of how versatile this meal can be. Mediterranean flavors are highly ranked for me not only for the delicious taste, but also all of the incredible nutrients that make up a typical Mediterranean diet. These nutrients include heart-healthy fats, lean proteins, nuts and seeds, seafood, whole grains, and lots of colorful fruits and vegetables. So, why not combine these wonderful flavors with amazing nutritional value into our favorite handheld sandwich? It creates a nutritious burger that is so fresh and bursting with natural flavors that truly tastes like a warm summer night.

Another amazing thing about this recipe is that it’s such a quick, easy meal that can be whipped up on a busy weeknight or be meal prepped for the week. All you have to do is mix everything in a bowl, mold it into a patty, then slap it onto a pan and viola! You have a perfectly balanced meal that is filled with flavor and nutrients. If you want to take it a step further and have the time and/or energy, I highly recommend trying this recipe using homemade hamburger buns. Not only does it make the burger taste that much fresher, but homemade goods also contain a lot less ingredients than their store-bought counterpart. Understanding that not everyone has the time or energy to make homemade bread, buying nutrient-dense bread in the grocery store can be a challenge but it’s definitely not impossible. I recommend looking through an ingredient label to find a primarily whole wheat bun with minimal ingredients, a low amount of added sugar, and little to no preservatives. Dave’s Killer Bread is a great option if available, but other store brands can be just as good and more affordable. Whether you choose to make homemade buns or use a delicious store-bought whole wheat bun, these Greek Turkey Burgers are a nutrient-rich, simple, and easy meal that is flavorful and refreshing and can be made all year round.

Nutrition Facts:

• Feta cheese is a soft cheese that can either come in a block or crumbled that originates from Greece and is very popular in Mediterranean dishes. It is most commonly made from either sheep’s or goat’s milk and is a lighter cheese that has less fat than heavier cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar. Like many cheeses, feta packs in a lot of great nutrients including calcium, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, protein, healthy fats, and trace amounts of many more micronutrients. Feta is also a source of probiotics which help support the gut microbiome.
• Ground turkey is a very popular animal-based protein that is extremely versatile and easy to cook. Turkey is one of the leanest forms of animal protein because it contains minimal fat and it’s also a less flavorful meat that easily takes in the flavor of any sauces or spices you use in the dish. Turkey contains many key nutrients including protein, B vitamins, iron, choline, selenium, and many more. Ground turkey can be purchased either using dark meat which will contain more fat and more flavor or using the turkey breast which will be lower in fat.

Servings: 4

Ingredients: Greek Turkey Burger

• 1 16 oz. package of ground turkey
• 1/4 cup red onion (finely diced)
• 2 minced garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano 
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 hamburger buns

Ingredients: Tzatziki

• 1/2 cup unflavored greek yogurt
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1/4 cup pickles or cucumber (finely chopped)
• 2 Tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Put the ground turkey into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add all of the ingredients except the olive oil into the bowl with the ground turkey and combine until well incorporated (I find that using a rubber spatula works well).
3. Form 4 equal balls from the turkey mixture, then using your hands squish each ball into a patty that is roughly ½ inch thick.
4. Heat a pan on medium heat then add the oil to the pan. Heat oil for about 1-minute, then add the patties to the pan.
5. Cook each patty for about 7-8 minutes, flip, then another 7-8 minutes on the other side (the middle should have no pink and they should have a nice crispy layer). If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should be 165 degrees F.
6. While your patties are cooking, make your tzatziki sauce by combining all the ingredients into a bowl and mixing together.
7. Top your burger with 2 Tbsp of tzatziki sauce and any other fresh vegetables of your choice! My favorite combination is a slice of tomato, sliced red onion, and maybe some spinach of lettuce but this is where I recommend free creative reign, make it fun and colorful!
8. Enjoy!