I was never a big fan of turkey burgers until I tried changing up the recipe.  My big complaint about turkey burgers has always been that they tend to be dry and they are a poor substitution for real hamburgers.  A few years ago, I stumbled upon a recipe in a Weight Watchers cookbook that called for adding vegetables to turkey burgers to keep them moist.  I was skeptical, but after making them according to the recipe I was pleasantly surprised.

I like to tweak recipes.  I often make minor variations to recipes that I find based upon what I actually have in the cupboards and fridge.  That’s how I came to this recipe.

Spicy Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey breast
1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash (grated)
1 small jalapeno (seeded and diced)
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix with your hands (yes cooking involves getting dirty and yes your hands are a tool that you can and should use — just make sure they are clean).  Form the mixture into patties in a size of your choosing (6 – 8 oz are a good size).  Grill the patties on a hot grill until cooked through.  If desired, add a slice of your favorite cheese.

Serve on a roll with condiments of our choosing.  I like to server these with sautéed onions and one of my “special sauces.”

Special Sauce

1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp horseradish
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Variations

I sometimes add 1 tbsp chili powder to this recipe for a slightly different kick.  I also sometimes dice onions instead of using squash.  For an “Italian” flavor, I use oregano and basil instead of cumin and jalapeno, and for an “Indian” flavor, I use curry powder.

Don’t be afraid to mix it up.  The key to this recipe is to add veggies to the meat to keep it moist and to be adventurous.

Enjoy.