Grilled Guacamole Turkey Burgers
Flavorful grilled turkey burgers become a real favorite when topped with creamy guacamole and sprigs of fresh cilantro. Serve them with spicy oven-fried potato wedges and oil and vinegar dressed cole slaw for a quick, economical weeknight meal.
Grilled Guacamole Turkey Burgers
Well-seasoned turkey burgers, grilled and served on a soft bun, topped with spicy guacamole and sprigs of fresh cilantro make a delicious, economical weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon spicy seasoning blend
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Mexican queso blanco
- 4 soft rolls (onion or hamburger)
- Fresh cilantro sprigs
For the guacamole:
- 2 ripe Haas avocados, peeled and mashed
- 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, minced
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to a medium-high temperature (about 400°F).
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey, garlic, shallot, lime juice, honey or agave nectar, cornmeal, salt, spicy seasoning blend, pepper, chopped cilantro, and shredded cheese.
- Form into 4 equally-sized patties, transfer to a plate and chill for 15 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mashed avocado, chopped tomato, green onions, garlic, minced jalapeños, and lime juice.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Line the grates of the grill with a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil that's large enough to accommodate the burgers with a few inches between them.
- Poke a few small drainage holes in the foil with the tines of a grilling fork, then brush the surface with a bit of vegetable oil.
- Add the burgers and grill until you see juices start to accumulate on the top of the meat, approximately 4 minutes.
- Carefully flip them over and grill until cooked through and the juices are running clear, an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a plate and allow to rest while you prepare the buns.
- To serve, place a burger on each bun, top with guacamole and sprigs of fresh cilantro.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
The secret to great turkey burgers is to make sure that everything is very well seasoned as ground turkey tends to be a bit bland and dry. The small amount of cornmeal in the meat mixture helps to retain moisture during cooking and the grated cheese adds a tender, creamy texture.
Turkey burgers are a little more fragile than beef burgers, that's why we choose to grill them on foil. It prevents them from breaking apart if they stick to the grates.
Spicy Oven-Fried Potato Wedges:
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Quarter some new potatoes and toss them with a bit of olive oil to coat. Season with salt, pepper and your favorite Southwest-style seasoning blend. Roast for about 15 to 18 minutes, until the potatoes turn light golden brown in color and a little bit crispy.
