Lemon Turkey Burgers with Thyme is a really delicious and easy-to-make recipe. Turkey burgers are always best when “beefed” up with a lot of good savory ingredients. Herbs, peppers, and onions stack these turkey burgers with tons of flavor. The best part of the Lemon Turkey Burger is the zesty lemon that sparks the flavor with a bright taste from the first to your last bite. I know your family will love these turkey burgers.
This delicious Lemon Turkey Burger recipe, comments, and photo were shared with me by Karen Calanchini, Food Stylist and Photographer, of Redding, CA.
- 1.25 pounds ground turkey, lean
- 6 tablespoons bread crumbs
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
- Salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra-virgin
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
- 1/2 of a bell pepper (red or yellow), sliced
- Slices of your favorite cheese (such as Cheddar, Monterey jack, Swiss, etc.)
- Herbed Foccacia Bread or Ciabatta Bread
- 3 large Roma-type tomatoes, sliced*
- Condiments of your choice (such as avocado slices, salsa, and/or green chile sauce)
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In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, bread crumbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Form into two (2) patties the same size as the bread you are serving it on, place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to grill.
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In a large frying pan with olive oil, sautonion until almost caramelized. Add bell pepper and sauttill heated through and softened. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Preheat barbecue grill; brush and oil the grates. Grill turkey patties approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. on your meat thermometer. Top each turkey patty with cheese slices during the last few minutes of cooking to melt.
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While the turkey patties are cooking, cut open the bread the size you want for this open face sandwich, then cut in half for two servings, and butter each half. Grill bread slices, opened end down to form grill marks, or toast in toaster.
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Place one turkey burger on each grilled bread slice. Place tomato slices on top of the melted cheese, then arrange grilled red pepper pieces, and then grilled red onion slices over the top. At this point you can add any condiments you desire.
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Serve with a colorful green salad dressed with vinaigrette of your choice.
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Makes 2 large Open-Face Sandwiches.
* This recipe calls for Roma tomatoes. I roasted mine because winter tomatoes are not very flavorful. Just slice the tomatoes, place on a baking pan lined with non-stick foil wrap. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. You may add some fresh or dried herbs if you like, such as thyme, basil or a combination. Learn how to make Slow-Roasted or Oven-Baked Tomatoes.
I get many readers asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the Thermapen Thermometer. Originally designed for professional use, the Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. I only endorse a few products, on my web site ,that I like and use regularly.
You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.