Published August 16, 2020

This week’s recipe video was a creative challenge to use fresh zucchini and herbs from my garden in a new way.

I decided to experiment and add these fresh ingredients to a plain flavor like ground turkey, to create light and fresh homemade turkey burgers.

Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Burgers

My goal for this recipe was to use shredded zucchini in a new way. You can customize this recipe based on your preferences. If you have fresh herbs from your garden that you’d like to use, feel free to substitute them for the parsley and basil.

You can also use any toppings for your hamburger when you plate it. I decided to serve half with cheese and half without. I also used fresh spinach since I didn’t have any lettuce. My favorite toppings are fresh tomato and pickles, so I added those to my homemade turkey burger.

How to Make Homemade Turkey Burgers

Tools for the Dish

• Knife and cutting board

  • Bowls for your vegetables

• Medium pan for sautéing the vegetables

• Large bowl for mixing the burgers

  • Plate for burger patties

• Large non-stick skillet for cooking the burgers

  • Metal spatula

Cooking Notes

Turkey Burger Patties

If you’re worried about the water content in your zucchini, make sure to salt them and drain them before adding to your turkey burger patty.

Once formed, the patties will be tacky and difficult to handle. Put them on a plate and stick them in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. Chilling the patties prevents them from tearing or losing their shape as you add them to the pan to cook.

Cooking the Turkey Burgers

I made my turkey burgers in a cast iron skillet on the stove. Feel free to grill yours if you want the grill marks.

Once you place the patties in the pan, let them cook 5 minutes per side without flipping. This helps develop the crust on either side. Don’t panic if you have some resistance when flipping them. They should pull away from the pan without crumbling.

Portions and Serving

This recipe makes four generous sized turkey burgers. When you add toppings and the roll, they’re a meal by themselves.

I would suggest making a light side dish or salad to pair with the turkey burgers. As I mentioned before, you can add any additional toppings that you like — hot sauce, onions, avocado, etc.

I served my turkey burgers immediately. I didn’t add any additional spices or seasoning, just the vegetables and cheese.

Storage

I made 2/4 of the patties. The other two I wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a Ziploc. I wrote the date on the outside of the Ziploc and put it in the freezer.

Make sure to thaw the turkey burger patties before cooking, or they will take much longer to cook.

The Final Product

I was thrilled with how this recipe turned out, especially since I was making up the recipe as I went along.

The zucchini kept the turkey burger patty moist, while the herbs and vegetables added flavor. My cast iron pan made a good crust on the burger, which held up to the fresh veggies and cheese I stacked on top of it.

Despite the amount of ingredients and toppings, the burger was light and satisfying. A perfect dish to make on hot summer days.

Recipe Score

I would give my homemade turkey burger a 10/10 for the following:

• Recipe Level

  • Easy: You don’t have to be a perfectionist when chopping your ingredients, since they’ll be incorporated into the burger patty. To save time, I made my burgers in a cast iron skillet. 5 minutes per side and I had a tasty homemade turkey burger, topped with my favorite toppings.

• Ingredients

  • You can easily find the ingredients for this dish and substitute your favorites. If you want a spicier flavor, use another pepper then the Italian pepper. Add your favorite herbs from your garden and top with your favorite toppings and sauces.

• Prep

  • If you’re using herbs from your garden, make sure you have them picked and set aside before you start cooking.

• Flavor

  • 10/10: A light, juicy patty with fresh ingredients. A soft hamburger roll, melted cheese, sour pickles, and fresh tomato. These homemade turkey burgers are perfect for summer.
    

K. Martinelli Makes Homemade Turkey Burgers

Thanks for Watching

Looking for more recipes? Browse my entrees here.