Savory Fajita-Inspired Turkey Burgers
Elevate your burger night with these savory fajita-inspired turkey burgers, perfect for grill enthusiasts and health-conscious eaters alike. This recipe brings together lean ground turkey and a medley of colorful bell peppers and onions, all spiced with a vibrant fajita seasoning blend. Topped with a fresh tomatillo salsa, creamy avocado, and bright cilantro, these burgers burst with flavor. Perfect for summer barbecues or a quick weeknight dinner, serve them on toasted whole wheat buns with a variety of toppings like fresh lettuce and tomatoes for an enjoyable and nutritious meal. Using pre-chopped vegetables can make this dish even quicker to prepare!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tomatillo salsa
1/4 cup (None)
Avocados, chopped
2 tablespoons (Chopped)
Fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon (Chopped)
White bread
2 slices (None)
Onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Fajita seasoning mix
2 teaspoons (Divided)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (Divided)
Tomato paste
1 tablespoon (None)
Ground turkey
1 lb (None)
Egg white
1 (None)
Whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
4 (Toasted)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, mix together the tomatillo salsa, chopped avocado, and cilantro. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
2
Place the slices of bread into a food processor and pulse about 10 times until you achieve coarse crumbs, measuring about 1 cup.
3
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray.
4
Add the finely chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet, sautéing for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are tender.
5
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of the fajita seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon of salt, mixing well. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cooled onion and bell pepper mixture, the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of fajita seasoning, the other 1/8 teaspoon of salt, the tomato paste, ground turkey, and egg white. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
7
With damp hands, divide the turkey mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a patty approximately 3/4 inch thick.
8
Reheat the skillet over medium heat, spraying again with nonstick cooking spray if necessary.
9
Cook the patties in the skillet, allowing them to brown for about 4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
10
To serve, place one turkey patty on the bottom half of each toasted whole wheat bun. Top each burger with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the tomatillo salsa mixture, then add the top half of the bun. Customize with your choice of additional toppings like lettuce, tomato, or onion.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Fajita-Inspired Turkey Burgers?
These are lean turkey burgers mixed with a medley of bell peppers, onions, and fajita seasoning, topped with a fresh tomatillo and avocado salsa.
How do I prepare the salsa topping for these burgers?
Mix 1/4 cup tomatillo salsa with 2 tablespoons of chopped avocado and 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro, then set it aside to let the flavors meld.
What is the best way to make breadcrumbs for this recipe?
Place 2 slices of white bread into a food processor and pulse about 10 times until you achieve coarse crumbs, measuring approximately 1 cup.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the finely chopped onion and bell peppers in a nonstick skillet for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are tender.
How should the fajita seasoning be divided?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of the fajita seasoning for the sautéed vegetables and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons for the turkey patty mixture.
How should the salt be divided in this recipe?
Use 1/8 teaspoon of salt when seasoning the vegetables and the other 1/8 teaspoon when mixing the turkey patties.
What ingredients are used to bind the turkey patties?
The patties are bound using coarse white breadcrumbs, tomato paste, and one egg white.
How thick should the turkey patties be shaped?
Divide the turkey mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a patty that is approximately 3/4 inch thick.
How do I keep the turkey mixture from sticking to my hands?
Using damp hands while shaping the turkey mixture into patties will help prevent sticking.
What is the cooking time for the turkey burgers in a skillet?
Cook the patties for about 4 minutes on each side over medium heat until they are no longer pink in the center.
Can these turkey burgers be grilled?
Yes, the description notes these burgers are perfect for grill enthusiasts as well as skillet cooking.
What kind of buns are recommended for this recipe?
Toasted whole wheat hamburger buns are recommended to complement the health-conscious nature of the meal.
How much tomatillo salsa mixture goes on each burger?
Top each cooked burger with approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of the prepared tomatillo and avocado salsa mixture.
What are some suggested additional toppings?
You can customize your burger with additional toppings such as fresh lettuce, sliced tomato, or raw onion.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as a quick meal, and using pre-chopped vegetables can speed up the preparation even further.
How many burgers does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to produce four equal turkey burger patties.
What type of bell peppers should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup each of finely chopped red bell pepper and green bell pepper.
Why is tomato paste included in the patty mixture?
Tomato paste adds moisture and a concentrated savory flavor to the lean ground turkey.
Is this recipe low in fat?
Yes, the use of lean ground turkey and an egg white instead of a whole egg helps keep the fat content lower.
Should the vegetables be cooled before adding to the turkey?
Yes, you should allow the sautéed onion and peppers to cool slightly before mixing them with the raw ground turkey.
What kind of onion works best for this burger?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of finely chopped white onion.
Does this recipe use oil for cooking?
Instead of liquid oil, the recipe uses nonstick cooking spray to coat the skillet.
Can I use store-bought breadcrumbs instead of making them?
While the recipe suggests making coarse crumbs from white bread, you can substitute about 1 cup of store-bought coarse breadcrumbs.
How do I know the burgers are finished cooking?
The burgers are done when they are browned on both sides and the meat is no longer pink in the center.
Is the cilantro used in the burger or the topping?
The fresh cilantro is used in the tomatillo salsa and avocado topping mixture.
What heat setting should I use to cook the patties?
The patties should be cooked in a skillet over medium heat.
Can I prepare the salsa mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can set the salsa mixture aside early to let the flavors meld while you prepare the burgers.
Are these burgers spicy?
They are spiced with fajita seasoning, which provides a vibrant flavor without necessarily being high in heat.
What is the primary protein in this dish?
The primary protein source is 1 pound of ground turkey.
Can I use different types of salsa?
The recipe specifically recommends tomatillo salsa for its bright flavor, but you could substitute other varieties if needed.