Description
Succulent Grilled Pesto Turkey Burgers deliver Mediterranean charm straight to summer dinner plates. Herbed turkey patties with fresh basil pesto create a zesty, light meal that’ll satisfy weekend grill enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lbs (567 g) ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs (optional, for structure)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4 burger buns
- Olive oil for brushing grill
- Sliced mozzarella or provolone (optional)
- Tomato slices
- Arugula or lettuce
- Additional pesto or mayo
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground turkey with pesto, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs, mixing delicately to maintain meat’s tender texture.
- Patty Formation: Craft 4 uniform patties, then refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to enhance structural integrity during grilling.
- Grilling Technique: Heat grill to medium-high, lightly oil grates, and cook patties 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, optionally topping with cheese during final minute of cooking.
- Burger Assembly: Lightly toast buns, apply pesto or mayo as a flavor-enhancing spread, layer with crisp arugula, ripe tomato slices, and freshly grilled turkey patty.
- Serving: Present immediately alongside preferred accompaniments for a delectable dining experience.
Notes
- Handle ground turkey mixture delicately to prevent tough, dense burgers – overmixing breaks down protein structure and creates compact, less tender patties.
- Refrigerating patties before grilling helps them maintain shape, reduces crumbling, and allows flavors to meld together effectively.
- Use meat thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temperature, preventing foodborne illness while keeping turkey burger moist and safely cooked.
- Add small amount of olive oil or grated zucchini to ground turkey mixture to prevent dryness, enhancing juiciness and tenderness of burger.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg