1 lb. ground turkey breast 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup finely chopped shallot or red onion 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons of the sun-dried tomato oil, divided 1 large sweet onion, peeled, trimmed, halved, halved again and thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
In a large bowl combine the ground turkey breast, 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, 1 teaspoon of the oil from the tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup finely minced red onion or shallot, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands and form into 4 equal sized patties. Make a little indention into the center of each patty to insure even cooking.
For the onions, place the onion pieces into the center of a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the sun-dried tomato oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar, then salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients with your hands to make sure the onions are well coated. Bring the two long ends of the foil together and roll it down until tight, then take the ends and roll towards the center to secure the packet.
Place the onion pack on a medium high grill first, and cover. Let the onions cook by themselves for about 15-20 minutes. Then put the turkey patties on the grill and let them cook about 6 to 7 minutes per side until they are opaque and just firm to the touch. Remove burgers from the grill to a plate, cover, and let them rest for about 5 minutes. While the burgers are resting, lightly toast both sides of your onion rolls or hamburger buns on the grill. Remove onion pack and buns from the grill. Serve burgers on onion rolls or buns, and top with the onions, some fresh arugula and either crumbled blue cheese or soft goat cheese. Garnish with bread and butter pickles, if desired.
Gaby Dalkin creator of the beloved food blog and brand What’s Gaby Cooking has earned her reputation as a master chef through her drool-worthy Instagram posts and must-make recipes. But of all her creations, Gaby’s Guacamole Turkey Burgers stand out as a true legend. These juicy, flavor-packed turkey patties topped with melted pepper jack cheese, creamy guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo have achieved viral fame for good reason – they’re simply sensational!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the secrets behind Gaby’s famous turkey burgers, from choosing the right ground turkey to expert burger grilling tips. Plus, we’ll highlight exactly why these burgers have developed an obsessive Instagram following and cult status among home cooks and foodies alike. After reading this, you’ll gain the skills and inspiration needed to recreate Gaby’s iconic turkey burgers in your own kitchen. So let’s get cooking!
The Foundation: Crafting Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Patties
The starting point for any stellar turkey burger is the patty itself, Gaby’s expertise shines through in how she engineeres turkey patties that are both outrageously juicy and packed with flavor, Here are her secrets
Select the Right Ground Turkey
Not all ground turkey is created equal. For the best texture and moisture, Gaby recommends using a mix of light and dark turkey meat. The dark meat contributes juiciness, while the light meat lends a bit of leanness. Stay away from breast-only turkey, which can dry out.
Load Up on Flavor
Simply mixing ground turkey with salt and pepper does not make for an exciting burger. Gaby takes things up a notch by blending in garlic, shallots, jalapeño, cumin, and other spices. This builds incredible depth of flavor into every bite.
Handle Gently
Overmixing is the enemy of tender, juicy turkey burgers. Gaby gently combines the ingredients without over-manipulating the meat, resulting in supremely moist and delicous patties.
Form Evenly
Shaping the turkey mixture into patties of consistent thickness ensures they cook up evenly. Aim for around 1/2-inch thick.
Elevate with Creative Toppings
While a properly seasoned turkey patty is crucial, the fun toppings are what take Gaby’s burgers over the top. She employs a trifecta of flavors and textures to complement the savory meat:
Creamy, Tangy Guacamole
Gaby’s homemade guacamole recipe, blending creamy avocados with zesty onions, chives, jalapeño, and citrus juice, provides a cool, smooth contrast to the hearty burger patty. It adds a delightful creaminess without overwhelming the other flavors.
Ooey, Melty Pepper Jack Cheese
The mildly spicy kick and melted gooeyness of pepper jack cheese pairs perfectly with the juicy turkey patty. It adds a pleasing hit of saltiness too.
Fresh and Bright Pico de Gallo
A pico de gallo mix of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice lends a refreshing note of bright acidity and crunch. It cuts through the richness beautifully.
Grilling Secrets for the Ultimate Turkey Burger
Now for the fun part – grilling up the burgers! Proper technique is key for achieving charred, caramelized exterior while keeping the interior juicy:
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Don’t skimp on seasoning. Generously season the patties right before grilling to amp up the flavors.
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Sear at high heat. Use medium-high to high heat to quickly brown and caramelize the exterior.
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Flip only once. Flipping repeatedly can lead to dryness. Just flip once halfway through cooking.
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Add cheese at the end. Wait until the last 1-2 minutes of grilling before topping with cheese so it melts perfectly.
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Let rest before serving. Allowing the burgers to rest for 5 minutes after cooking allows juices to reabsorb for ultimate juiciness.
Why Gaby’s Turkey Burgers Have Achieved Legendary Status
So why have these burgers developed an obsessive fanbase and gone viral online? There are several reasons:
Craveable Flavor Combo
The mixture of savory, juicy meat, creamy guacamole, melty cheese, and fresh pico de gallo is an insanely craveable combination. Foodies can’t get enough!
Satisfying Yet Healthier
Turkey burgers offer a satisfying, meaty burger experience that’s leaner and healthier than beef. People love this smart swap.
Instagram Eye Candy
Beautiful food photography capturing these burgers in all their glory attracts attention on Instagram and Pinterest. No one can resist their vibrant colors and textures!
Gaby’s Star Power
Gaby Dalkin has become a celebrity chef in her own right, lending credibility and drool appeal to all her recipes. Her fame draws people to this burger recipe.
Suits All Diets
These burgers can be easily modified to fit a range of diets – go bunless for gluten-free, hold the cheese for vegan, etc. Their versatility satisfies diverse needs.
Tips for Personalizing Your Turkey Burgers
While Gaby’s original recipe is perfection, there are endless ways to adapt these burgers to suit your personal taste:
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Substitute ground chicken or a beef/mushroom blend for the turkey.
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Swap in your favorite melty cheese – cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack.
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Craft your own signature guacamole or salsa.
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Add bacon, fried eggs, or caramelized onions for bonus flavor.
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Serve on pretzel buns or Texas toast for fun twists on the classic bun.
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Make turkey slider patties for easy appetizers.
So get creative and have fun making these insanely delicious turkey burgers your own!
Take Your Turkey Burger Obsession a Step Further
Ready to fully indulge your turkey burger addiction? Here are some helpful resources:
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Check out more of Gaby’s drool-worthy recipes on her website, Instagram, and cookbooks!
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Follow @WhatsGabyCooking and #WhatsGabyCooking to see her latest food pics and inspiration.
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Browse other famous food bloggers’ turkey burger recipes for more tasty ideas.
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Watch cooking videos breaking down turkey burger techniques.
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Stock up on burger recipe e-books for endless patty inspiration.
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Invest in a meat grinder to create your own custom turkey blends.
With Gaby’s Guidance, You Can Grill Turkey Burger Greatness!
There you have it – everything you need to understand the hype, master the method, and join the turkey burger fan club. Gaby Dalkin has shown us all the way by sharing her signature patty secrets, genius toppings combos, and pro grilling strategies. Now you can sink your teeth into these famously delicious, Instagram-famous turkey burgers and taste the magic for yourself! So fire up those grills and get ready to become a turkey burger convert.
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This recipe is from the post: Go Grill! Sun-dried Tomato Turkey Burgers, that is…
Serves 4
1 lb. ground turkey breast 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup finely chopped shallot or red onion 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons of the sun-dried tomato oil, divided 1 large sweet onion, peeled, trimmed, halved, halved again and thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
In a large bowl combine the ground turkey breast, 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, 1 teaspoon of the oil from the tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup finely minced red onion or shallot, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well with your hands and form into 4 equal sized patties. Make a little indention into the center of each patty to insure even cooking.
For the onions, place the onion pieces into the center of a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the sun-dried tomato oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar, then salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients with your hands to make sure the onions are well coated. Bring the two long ends of the foil together and roll it down until tight, then take the ends and roll towards the center to secure the packet.
Place the onion pack on a medium high grill first, and cover. Let the onions cook by themselves for about 15-20 minutes. Then put the turkey patties on the grill and let them cook about 6 to 7 minutes per side until they are opaque and just firm to the touch. Remove burgers from the grill to a plate, cover, and let them rest for about 5 minutes. While the burgers are resting, lightly toast both sides of your onion rolls or hamburger buns on the grill. Remove onion pack and buns from the grill. Serve burgers on onion rolls or buns, and top with the onions, some fresh arugula and either crumbled blue cheese or soft goat cheese. Garnish with bread and butter pickles, if desired.
Recipe ©2011 Betsy Burts. All reproduction rights reserved.
Engineering the Perfect Turkey Burger | What’s Eating Dan?
FAQ
How long are cooked turkey burgers?
What holds turkey burgers together?
Can you cook turkey burgers in the oven?
Because the turkey mixture is soft and wet, it’s not ideal for grilling, and baking them in the oven will result in dryer burgers, without the nice sear you get from stovetop cooking. Don’t Cook Before Freezing. To keep them from drying out, it’s best to freeze turkey burgers before cooking them.
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
How do you cook turkey burger patties?
Set them on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet with the turkey burger patties to the freezer. Chill for at least 20 minutes. Grill prep: Meanwhile, as the turkey burger patties chill, prep the grill. Prepare the grill for medium-high direct heat grilling, about 450-500 degrees F.
How do you cook a turkey burger on a grill?
Cook the patties in the skillet, turning once, about 15 minutes. Grill: Lightly oil and preheat the grill. Place turkey burgers on the grill, turning once, about 10 minutes. Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the patties on the baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.