Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
Grilling season is almost here. Are you going to make the same boring burgers again this year? Now is a perfect time to step up your burger game and try something totally different. These turkey burgers topped with crisp veggies and a tangy yogurt sauce are an exciting upgrade from the average burger patty. Sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, garlic, and oregano give them Mediterranean flavor in every bite. They might become your new go-to recipe for summer.
One of the secrets that make these turkey burger patties so good, is the spinach that’s mixed in with the meat. It’s dark green leaves add color and lots of phytonutrients, but it’s really there to help keep the meat moist and tender as it cooks. Frozen spinach is a good choice because it’s pre-cooked and you can use only what you need and keep the rest in the freezer for another meal. Thaw it for a few seconds in the microwave, then wrap it in a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much of the excess liquid as you can. (If you use fresh spinach, toss about two cups of it into a heated skillet coated with nonstick spray and stir for a few minutes until just wilted, then squeeze it as described.)
It may be tempting to buy a jar of plump sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, but save yourself the extra fat and calories and choose the dehydrated variety. Simply soak the amount you need in hot water for a few minutes before chopping. Once they’re rehydrated, they’re just as plump and flavorful as the tomatoes in oil, but they have zero fat.
As flavorful as these turkey burger patties are, it’s the toppings that make them stand out from the crowd. The creamy yogurt sauce spiked with lemon, garlic, and dill will make you forget all about ketchup and mustard. Crunchy onions and cucumber, and the surprising addition of sliced beets give them a full serving of vegetables and make them a filling meal with or without a bun. You can buy cooked beets in the produce section or deli of many grocery stores, or look for cooked beets in jars or cans.
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 6 servings
21 Day Fix Containers:
½ Green
1 Red
½ Blue
Ingredients
¾ cup reduced-fat (2%) Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided use
¼ tsp. dried dill weed
1½ lbs. 93% lean ground turkey
1 medium red onion, thinly slice half, finely chop half, divided use
¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, squeeze out liquid using a kitchen towel, chopped
6 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ cup whole grain bread crumbs
1 large egg
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 cooked medium beet, sliced thin
¼ medium cucumber, sliced thin
Instructions
To make yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, and dill in a small bowl; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
Preheat grill or broiler to high.
Combine turkey, chopped onion, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cheese, remaining 1 clove garlic, oregano, bread crumbs, and egg in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well with clean hands. Form turkey mixture evenly into six patties.
Grill or broil patties for about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the middle.
Serve patties topped evenly with yogurt sauce, onion slices, beet, and cucumber.
