Healthy Smashed Turkey Burgers

This healthy turkey smashed burgers served in lettuce with arugula salad is delicious. The combination of turkey with an umami spice mix and aromatics adds a tantalizing flavor.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Al La Carte, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Easy, Healthy, Mediterranean

Keyword: guild free dining, Healthy Burgers, healthy dinner ideas, healthy lunch ideas, healthy turkey burger recipes, Lean turkey burgers, smashed turkey burgers, Turkey burgers in lettuce wraps

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

Servings: Servings

Calories: 438kcal

Author: Julietkitchen By Chef Yasmin

Equipment

1 12 inch cast iron skillet

Ingredients

For th Umami spice mix

5 small dried porcini mushrooms or 3 large
1 teaspoon juniper berries
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika may substitute sweet paprika

For the Burgers

2 pounds turkey ground meat white or dark
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves finely minced
2 cloves garlic grated
1 - 2 teaspoons homemade umami spice mix recipe included
3 - 4 tablespoons avocado oil for frying
romaine lettuce leaves for serving the burgers

For the Salad

1 - 2 cups organic arugula
4 -5 campari tomatoes sliced
1 small lemon juiced
1 - 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Make the umami spice mix

Add the dried porcini mushrooms, juniper berries, cumin seeds, and red pepper flakes into a small nut grinder. Grind into a powder.
5 small dried porcini mushrooms, 1 teaspoon juniper berries, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Transfer the porcini powder spice mix into a small bowl. Add in the smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly. Use as desired.
Note: The spice mix can be stored for up to three months in a spice bottle. Use to season meats, fish, vegetables and add to soups and even vinaigrette.
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Season and shape the turkey burgers

Add the ground meat to a medium mixing bowl. Add in the olive oil, salt, thyme, garlic and 1 to 2 teaspoons of the umami seasoning mix. Mix well to incorporate.
2 pounds turkey ground meat, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 2 cloves garlic, 1 - 2 teaspoons homemade umami spice mix
Divide the meat into 10 equal portions. Or your desired size. Use the palm of our hand to flatten each portion as flat as desired.
Note: the flatter the better - I usually aim for 1/8 of an inch or less.
1 teaspoon juniper berries
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add in the avocado oil. Carefully add 3 to 4 patties to the hot oil. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the patties to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining patties.
Note: Do not press the patties while cooking because you'll end up squeezing out the delicious juices. And depending on the size of the cast iron pan, you'll need to cook the patties in two to three batches.
3 - 4 tablespoons avocado oil for frying

While the patties are cooking:

Add the salad ingredients to a mixing bowl. Toss to coat the greens.
Note: Only add enough juice and oil to coat the veggies.
1 - 2 cups organic arugula, 4 -5 campari tomatoes, 1 small lemon, 1 - 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Assemble the burgers:

Assemble the burgers by laying a patty on top of one side of a romaine lettuce. Add a heap full of the salad greens to the empty part of the lettuce. To eat and enjoy, flip the side of the lettuce with the patty onto the salad greens side. Enjoy the crunchy, moist and deliciousness.
romaine lettuce leaves for serving the burgers

Nutrition