Heart Healthy Asian Turkey Hamburgers
Submitted by happyzhangbo
Asian turkey burgers mix lean ground turkey with hoisin, ginger, scallions, and crunchy water chestnuts, then grill them juicy and golden. A heart-healthy, flavor-packed alternative to the beef burger.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
8 minCOOK
10 minREADY
25 minLean ground turkey has a reputation for cooking up dry and bland, but these burgers fix both problems at once. Hoisin, fresh ginger, scallions, and toasted sesame oil pack in big savory-sweet flavor, while whole-wheat breadcrumbs and chopped water chestnuts keep the patties moist and add a welcome little crunch.
Don’t be alarmed that the mixture is quite wet, that’s the point, and it’s what guards against dryness. Shape the patties with dampened hands so the sticky mix doesn’t cling to you, and oil the grill rack well, since lean turkey loves to stick.
The most important rule is doneness. Poultry needs to be cooked through, so grill until the centers are no longer pink, but pull the burgers the moment they hit temperature rather than letting them cook on and dry out. A smear of sesame mayonnaise and your favorite toppings turn them into a proper burger.
Pro Tips
- Cook the burgers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C); turkey must be fully done, but don’t push past it or they’ll dry out.
- Shape the patties with damp hands; the mixture is meant to be moist and sticky.
- Oil the grill grates well before cooking, since lean turkey sticks more than beef.
Variations
- Stir a little sriracha or chili-garlic sauce into the mix for heat.
- Serve in lettuce cups instead of buns to keep it low-carb.
- Top with quick-pickled cucumbers, shredded carrot, or a slaw for crunch and tang.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Place bread in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs.
Transfer to a large bowl. Add ground turkey, water chestnuts, hoisin, scallions, ginger, garlic and salt; mix well.
(The mixture will be moist.)
With dampened hands, form the mixture into four ½-inch-thick patties.
Oil the grill rack (see Tip).
Brush the patties with sesame oil.
Grill until browned and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side.
(An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165°F.)
Meanwhile, prepare Sesame Mayonnaise, if desired, as well as your favourite burger toppings, to serve with the burgers.
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