Greek Turkey Burger Recipe

Who can honestly say they've never had a craving for a thick, meaty burger? The very existence of a plant-based burger industry fixated on developing juice-dripping vegan burger options suggests that even the most committed plant-based eaters may occasionally find themselves drawn to meat-like options. But does the healthy choice really have to be a choice between red meat and no meat? 

Not according to health-conscious recipe developer Jennine Bryant of the The Marshside GF Pantry. Bryant is always looking to make good choices about what she puts in her body, as she tells Health Digest, but she's also perpetually on the "hunt," so to speak, for flavorful meal options that are more than mere substitutes for something more flavorful. That's why she came up with her recipe for Greek turkey burgers.  

Although "turkey is a much healthier meat than the standard burger meat," as Bryant points out, this recipe's feta cheese and tzatziki sauce offer a tangy, Mediterranean flavor that's every bit as tantalizing as the traditional burger. Warm and earthy charbroiled turkey contrast with the cool and crisp spinach, cucumbers, and red onions for the perfect burger pairing. Are you ready to try this healthier alternative to red meat? 

Bryant's recipe for Greek turkey burgers is intended to make four "quarter-pounders," so you'll need 1 pound of ground turkey meat (ideally dark meat, such as ground turkey thigh) and 4 buns. You're going to flavor that meat with chopped spinach (Bryant uses the frozen kind, thawed, which is actually quite a bit easier to work with than fresh spinach), chopped kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For cooking the burgers, you'll need just a small amount of olive oil. 

For serving these flavorful burgers, you'll need sliced cucumber, sliced rings of red onion, a handful of fresh salad leaves, and tzatziki sauce, which is likely available pre-made in the dairy case at your supermarket. 

Start by preheating your oven to 425 F. Then, in a bowl, mix together the turkey, spinach, olives, feta, cumin, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper (you can add more after they're cooked, if desired). Divide the mixture into four patties of equal size, and carefully press a shallow indentation into the center of each patty (this will keep them from forming a dome when they cook). 

Spread the olive oil on a baking tray, and place the burger patties on the tray. When your oven has heated to 425 F, slide the tray into the oven for 10 minutes. Flip your burgers over and cook for another 8-10 minutes, until you're satisfied with the color.

When the turkey patties are cooked, remove them from the oven and prepare to assemble your burgers.

To assemble your Greek turkey burgers, start by slicing each bun in half. Add 1 spoonful of the tzatziki sauce, a handful of salad leaves, and the turkey burger patty to each bottom bun. Top with 3 slices of cucumber and a few red onion rings. Finish with the top bun. Feel free to toast the buns before assembling, if desired. Serve immediately, with a salad or with a "a side of chips," as Bryant suggests.