Swap Beef for Turkey
This is the turkey (or chicken!) burger you have been looking for. It’s full of flavor and moisture from fresh herbs, ginger, and garlic. Also, it is quick and easy enough to throw together at the end of the day. If you are not a cilantro person, feel free to substitute it with flat-leaf parsley. And if you don’t want to use an egg, substitute it with thick Greek-style yogurt, or leave it out. I forgot the egg once, and the mixture was a bit tender but still hung together well.
Kebabs, patties, meatballs, meatloaf, and burgers are all cousins in the world of ground meat. And there are so many ways you can put your stamp on these burgers. Use ground turkey, chicken, or even pork if you prefer. As for toppings, I am partial to caramelized onions and a simple cabbage slaw that I’ve included here. But there are always tomatoes, lettuce, red onion rings, pickles, and cheese. Serve with a bun, or go bun-less.
Get Saucy
My favorite burger sauce is simple but savory from the vlogger Sam the Cooking Guy. I love watching him because he is fun and he knows how to make flavorful food. His sauce is a mix of mayo (you could use thick yogurt), ketchup, yellow mustard, and chopped dill pickles. Of course, as usual, you should tailor this burger sauce to your taste.
Also, I think that cilantro and mint chutney mixed with thick yogurt or mayo would be tasty. Or purée some Indian pickle and add a little yogurt (or not) and spread on the toasted buns. I just mail-ordered my favorite store-bought pickle: Mother’s Recipe Mild Lime Pickle or make your own lime pickle. It is perfect smeared on a crispy toasted bun to sandwich this turkey burger.
Happy cooking!
~ Alonna
PS For another ground turkey comfort recipe, try my Indian turkey sloppy Joes!
See the Notes below before you cook.
Indian-ish Turkey Burger
Ingredients
Burger
- 1 pound ground turkey ~ Ideally dark meat, or ground chicken or pork
- 1/2 cup onion ~ Finely minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala ~ Or your favorite curry blend
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri ground red chili ~ Or 1/2 tsp cayenne; substitutions
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste ~ Or 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic and ginger each
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ~ Optional
- 1/2 cup cilantro ~ Chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves ~ Chopped, more to taste
- 1 large egg ~ Optional, see Notes below
- 1 teaspoon sea or table salt ~ Or at least 1 1/2 teaspoons of Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons ghee or oil ~ Divided for burger & optional buns
- 4 burger buns ~ Optional
Simple Cabbage Slaw - Optional
- 3 cups green or red cabbage ~ Thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 scallions, green part ~ Thinly sliced or 1 tablespoon red onion minced
- salt and pepper ~ To taste
Sam's Simple Burger Sauce - Optional
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons dill pickle ~ Chopped
- 2 teaspoons dill pickle liquid
- salt and pepper ~ To taste
Instructions
Burger
- Gather all the burger ingredients.
- In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. If you would like to double-check the seasonings, fry a small amount of the meat to taste.
- Divide the mixture into 4 portions and shape the burgers.
- In a large frying pan over medium to medium-high heat cook the burgers. You are wanting a nice sizzle when your burger hits the pan. But be careful, if the heat is too high the tender meat will burn on the outside before it cooks on the inside. Cook on each side for about 5 minutes. Check doneness using an instant-read thermometer and look for 165°F (75°C).
- While the meat is cooking, toast the buns using ghee or butter, if you are using bread. Also, see Notes below on a low-carb option.
- Serve hot with chips and/or a salad. See some garnishing ideas below.
Cabbage Slaw - Optional
- Mix all the ingredients together and set aside. If you are not using buns, double to this slaw recipe and use as a bed for the burger.
Sam's Simple Burger Sauce - Optional
- Mix all the ingredients together and taste for salt and pepper.
Garnish as You Wish
- Here are my favorites: caramelized onions, green chutney, Sam's burger sauce, tomato, lettuce, masala potato chips, and cabbage slaw.
Notes
- Heat? If you want a decent amount of heat, finely mince a green chili or two and mix in.
- Toasting the buns is optional but it makes a big difference with this their buttery, crispy edges.
- This mixture makes a perfect appetizer. Shape small patties and serve with your favorite chutney. You could also tuck them into little slider buns for additional cuteness.
- If you are not eating eggs, add a quarter cup of thick yogurt as a substitute, or skip both. I forgot the egg the first I made these turkey burgers and they were fine.
- If gluten-free, serve the turkey burger on a bed of the simple cabbage salad recipe I’ve included above, or any other salad situation you love.
- If you are able to grill, grilling these burgers would add additional flavor.
Leave a comment, let us know what you think. ~Alonna