Somewhere -- I think it was SkinnyTaste -- I saw a turkey recipe with zucchini. I don't remember the details but the thought stuck with me. Ground turkey is infamously dry and unlike beef, you can't serve it slightly rare to counteract. Normally I mix in some oats as it helps to hold on to some moisture, but adding zucchini seemed like a great idea too!
I didn't want to turn off The Boys with some crazy concoction I made up (I have a habit of doing that) so I kept the burgers themselves pretty simple. When I was cooking The Husband asked why I wasn't making "regular" burgers to which I said, "Because I want a turkey burger and I'm not making 3 different meals."
That shut him up. 🙂
When we sat down everyone just ate. They didn't poke or prod. No faces or complaints. They just ate. Even this guys had almost a whole patty cut up…
No one said a word so I finally had to ask.
"What did you guys think?"
"Of what"
"The Turkey Burgers."
"Oh! They were good."
"Good?"
"Yea, I like them but not as much as a regular burger."
OK, I can deal with that. I hate when people think of turkey burgers as a beef replacement. It's its own thing! And I love that I can now put them in rotation with our other summer meals. Especially now that I know both kids will eat them. BOTH!
Here's what I did…
- 20 oz Lean Ground Turkey
- ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs (I make my own with bread ends)
- About 1 cup grated zucchini ~125g (1 small-medium size)
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 egg
- Pinch of Kosher Salt and Pepper
Put everything in a bowl.
Mix well and form into 7 patties just over 4 oz each.
Grill 6-7 minutes a side.
I roasted some root veggies and corn along side.
It was a great summer meal!
| Servings | Amt per Serving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 turkey patty | |||
| Calories | Fat | Fiber | WWPs | |
| 145 | 3g | 1g | old: 3 | new: 4 |
| Sugar | Sat Fat | Carbs | Protein | |
| 2g | 0g | 9g | 23g | |
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I actually normally use Rolled Oats in place of breadcrumbs. You can run them through the processor to grind them a bit. Makes a great binder!
Roni,
Do you have a good sub for whole wheat bread crumbs? My husband has to eat low sodium, and bread tends to have a LOT of sodium. We do buy low sodium bread, but it is hard to find and i don't want to waste it on crumbs.
Any good subs for bread crumbs that are low sodium?
Thanks!!
(PS..I'm gonna try adding some Zucchini to my skinny sloppy joe recipe like your "Veg-ed out" sloppy joes to use it up. We have a BUNCH of zucchini right now!)
I used to make turkey burgers all the time but it's been a while and I hav no idea why!! You have totally inspired me to put them back into rotation. I'm loving the addition of the shredded zucchini, great recipe!
Glad your boys both liked them. I put grated zucc's in my turkey burgers too - along with sauteed onions and peppers, egg white, oats, and chili lime seasoning. Never dry....
LOVE feta in turkey burgers. I have this one with spinach... https://greenlitebites.com/2010/07/05/spinach-feta-turkey-burgers/
This looks amazing. I have never even thought about trying zucchini. However, I do use orange, red and green bell peppers and a little bit of feta or goat cheese. It's a favorite at our cookouts!
I tried the hamburgers tonight YUM! Loved them so did my 3 boys 🙂 and I absolutely
Love when I can sneak in veggies and they don't notice. Thanks for the recipe I will
Be using it this summer. Now off to make the banana soft serve.
YUMMY!!!
Made these last night; fabulous!
When I watch a few cooking shows, some of them mention cutting up a apple or pear. This too will give it some mositure.
Frances - I don't know! I was just thinking the same thing. That first year was way too fast!
Looks great! I'd always used oats in my turkey burgers too, but zucchini is a great and healthy idea! Thanks for sharing!
Nice work! I also have a picky husband and two whidgets. I think they would Like this.
they look delicious - but I really wanted to say: when did the baby become a little boy?!! I guess it has been a while 🙂
keep up the good work - mom cook writer - many hats!!
It was 7! Not sure why I said 5.
And yes.. it is awesome! Ryan's been pretty good, he knows better by now not to question what I made but I'm starting from scratch with the bean and the husband will forever be the hardest to please. lol
Those look great! I have one question...you said to form them into 5 patties, but I see 7 on the grill. Are the nutritionals for 5 or 7?
Isn't it awesome when everyone eats and doesn't complain? I'm lucky if I can get one or two meals each week like that.