Ben’s parents live on a lake outside of Milwaukee, and their prime spot (and a pontoon boat) means that Ben and I—along with just about every one of their landlocked friends—make an appearance at the Clarke household on summer weekend afternoons (usually with a bowl of this Italian Farro Salad in hand). It’s remarkable how an hour of lying around on a boat can leave one ravenously hungry and parched (even though we’ve been sipping Peach Margaritas all afternoon). Without fail every Saturday afternoon, the post-pontoon hoard descends upon the Clarkes’ kitchen in desperate search of sustenance. Queue the Italian turkey burgers! Today’s healthy turkey burger recipe is MADE for:
Lakeside lunches (alongside this Three Bean Salad).Summer potlucks (before your eat one too many Brownie Bites).Casual Italian dinner nights (alongside or following Homemade Mozzarella Sticks).And weeknight family grill sessions (served with this Healthy Potato Salad).
Not your average turkey burgers, these Italian-style turkey burgers are inspired by those sunny afternoons where Ben’s dad lights up the grill and cooks up army-sized quantities of juicy Italian sausages with grilled peppers and onions. So simple, but so satisfyingly delicious!
How to Make Italian Turkey Burgers
Loaded with Italian seasonings, breadcrumbs, and a juicy blend of lean ground turkey and Italian turkey sausage, these delicious burgers will convert any turkey burger skeptics.
The Ingredients
Ground Turkey. A great alternative to ground beef for burgers, ground turkey is an excellent lean protein source. (Don’t believe me? Try these Chipotle Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers too!)Italian Turkey Sausages. Add richness, zestiness, and just a little extra fat to keep these burgers moist and juicy. You just have to decide if you want mild or spicy!
Panko Bread Crumbs. Because turkey is so lean, turkey burgers can often fall apart easily when grilling. Using breadcrumbs benefits the burgers by working like glue to hold everything together.Herbs and Spices. A blend of basil, oregano, fennel seeds, garlic, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes mirrors classic Italian sausage ingredients.
Asiago and Mozzarella. A perfect marriage between creamy, melty mozzarella cheese and sharp, salty Asiago crowns these Italian turkey burgers.
Bell Peppers. A mix of red and green peppers make these an ode to the Italian flag.
Red Onions. Add a little zip, a little bite, and extra crunch.Buns. These are hearty, hefty burgers so I like to go for a whole wheat bun since I feel they hold up best against all the tasty toppings.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Leftover cooked turkey patties may be stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Freeze. Cooked patties may be kept frozen for up to 3 months. To Reheat. If frozen, defrost cooked turkey burger patties in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet, covered, with a little extra water to help the burgers stay moist.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Grill Set. We love this all-in-one grill set the contains everything we need for a cookout.Mixing Bowls. For mixing the turkey burger patty ingredients.Silicone Grill Mat. Non-stick is perfect for grilling vegetables. It’s reusable and cleans easily in the dishwasher!
Uncooked patties may be frozen on a baking sheet until firm, then transferred to a freezer-safe container for storage for up to 3 months. To cook, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then grill as directed.
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