Turkey Feta Burger
Our Turkey Feta Burger recipe is moist and packed with Mediterranean ingredients. Greek-style feta cheese, herbs, green onions, and garlic give this burger tons of flavor. This healthy turkey burger is grilled, then nestled between whole grain burger buns, and accompanied with your choice of toppings.
Our favorites toppings for this Turkey Feta Burger are our Healthier Lemon Mint Aioli, baby arugula, tomatoes, country Dijon mustard, and our Quick Pickled Onions. Without the bun, this recipe is keto friendly! Burgers can be made ahead of time (earlier in the day), and refrigerated until ready to grill. A great recipe for barbecue parties and outdoor entertaining. Read more about this in our Blog Comments & Tips.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
Recipe Updated: 8/22/22
TURKEY FETA BURGER
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add garlic cloves to a garlic press, and press to yield 1 tablespoon (pressed), and set aside. Chop and measure crumbled feta cheese, cumin, oregano, sliced green onions (see Note #1), and chopped parsley, and set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add turkey, egg whites, crumbled feta cheese, cumin, oregano, sliced green onions, chopped parsley, and pressed garlic. Zest lemon into bowl, and strain lemon juice directly into the mixing bowl.
- Wearing protective gloves (or using a large spurtle or wooden spoon), use your hands to mix together all the ingredients until they are well combined. Divide the mixture evenly into 6 sections. Use your hands to shape each section into balls (see Note #2), then form them into equal sized patties. Set the patties onto a foil lined baking sheet, cover with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (up to 8 hours).
- About 5 minutes prior to cooking the turkey burgers, remove the baking sheet from the fridge (to keep them together, they should be fairly cold when placed on the grill). Clean and prepare the grill on medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, place burger patties directly on the hot grill, and do not move them. Cook the burgers with the lid closed for about 4-6 minutes on each side until they are fully cooked (depending on thickness - See Note #3). Transfer grilled burgers to a clean plate, loosely cover with foil, and allow the meat to rest for about 5 minutes.
- While the burgers are resting, open and place 6 whole grain organic burger buns (or your favorite - see Note #1) cut-side down on the grill, on indirect heat. Heat for about 1 minute until they are golden brown, checking every 15 to 30 seconds to make sure they don’t burn. Serve immediately on toasted burger buns with your choice of optional garnishes and toppings.
Notes
- For a keto friendly version of this recipe, replace the green onions with 1 teaspoon onion powder (or to taste), and omit the burger buns from entirely from the recipe.
- To ensure even grilling, we recommend first forming the turkey mixture into balls. Set each one back in the mixing bowl, and once done, double check that they are of equal size. Then start shaping them into equal sized patties (same diameter and thickness).
- Ground turkey tends to dry out very quickly, so use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and do not overcook. Check the burgers after 4 minutes to make sure the bottom looks cooked and has dark brown grill marks. Use a large spatula to carefully flip the burgers, and cook the other side with your grill lid closed. The meat should be cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the juices run clear. Keep in mind that the burgers will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the grill.
- Turkey burger patties can be mixed and shaped ahead of time, and refrigerated for up to 8 hours before grilling.
- Makes 6 servings (5.33 ounces per burger). Nutritional calculations do not include optional ingredients or burger buns.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
222.03Fat (grams)
5.89Sat. Fat (grams)
2.42Carbs (grams)
3.38Fiber (grams)
0.76Net carbs
2.6Sugar (grams)
0.48Protein (grams)
39.72Sodium (milligrams)
242.12Cholesterol (grams)
94.28Nutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods. Nutritional calculations do not include optional garnishes, or burger buns.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
STEP 1
Using a garlic press, press 6 large garlic cloves (1 tablespoon pressed), and set aside. Chop and measure ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, ⅓ cup sliced green onions (see Note below), and ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, and set aside.
Note: For a keto friendly version of this recipe, replace the green onions with 1 teaspoon onion powder (or to taste), or omit entirely from the recipe.
STEP 2
To a large mixing bowl, add 2 pounds 93% lean ground turkey, 2 large egg whites, crumbled feta cheese, cumin, oregano, sliced green onions, chopped parsley, and pressed garlic. Zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest onto the ingredients, and strain 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice directly into the mixing bowl. Then add 1 generous pinch of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
STEP 3
Wearing protective gloves (or using a large spurtle or wooden spoon), use your hands to mix together all the ingredients until they are well combined. Divide the mixture evenly into 6 sections. Use your hands to shape each section into balls (see Note below), then form them into equal sized patties. Set the patties onto a foil lined baking sheet, cover with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (up to 8 hours).
Note: To ensure even grilling, we recommend first forming the turkey mixture into balls. Set each one back in the mixing bowl, and once done, double check that they are of equal size. Then start shaping them into equal sized patties (same diameter and thickness).
STEP 4
About 5 minutes prior to cooking the turkey burgers, remove the baking sheet from the fridge (to keep them together, they should be fairly cold when placed on the grill). Clean and prepare the grill on medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, place burger patties directly on the hot grill, and do not move them. Cook the burgers with the lid closed for about 4-6 minutes on each side until they are fully cooked (depending on thickness - See Note below). Transfer grilled burgers to a clean plate, loosely cover with foil, and allow the meat to rest for about 5 minutes.
Note: Ground turkey tends to dry out very quickly, so use a meat thermometer to check the temperature, and do not overcook. Check the burgers after 4 minutes to make sure the bottom looks cooked and has dark brown grill marks. Use a large spatula to carefully flip the burgers, and cook the other side with your grill lid closed. The meat should be cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the juices run clear. Keep in mind that the burgers will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the grill.
STEP 5
While the burgers are resting, open and place 6 whole grain organic burger buns (or your favorite - see Note below) cut-side down on the grill, on indirect heat. Heat for about 1 minute until they are golden brown, checking every 15 to 30 seconds to make sure they don’t burn.
Note: For a keto friendly version of this recipe, omit the burger buns from entirely from the recipe.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve immediately on toasted burger buns with your choice of the following optional garnishes and toppings:
Baby arugula
Beefsteak tomatoes, thick sliced
Country Dijon mustard
Healthier Lemon Mint Aioli (a must try recipe for this turkey feta burger!)
Quick Pickled Onions (a must try recipe!)
Avocado (Try adding avocado slices to make a California-style turkey burger!)
Notes:
Turkey burger patties can be mixed and shaped ahead of time, and refrigerated for up to 8 hours before grilling.
Makes 6 servings (5.33 ounces per burger). Nutritional calculations do not include optional ingredients or burger buns.
VIDEO
How to Make Healthy & Delicious Turkey Feta Burgers!
Blog Comments & Tips
Healthy, Moist & So Flavorful!
Unlike many other turkey burgers, our Turkey Feta Burger recipe is especially moist and packed with flavor. Our recipe is a pleasant change from other turkey burgers that are often dry and quite bland. This Greek-style turkey burger is brimming with Mediterranean ingredients.
Filled with a combination of fresh and dried herbs, feta cheese, and a burst of freshness from lemon, these burgers will surprise you from the first delicious bite! Our secret is that we added egg whites to keep them extra moist and healthy.
Although we love a juicy beef burger at PMR, this lean turkey burger is definitely a healthier and yummy alternative to beef burgers, which are full of saturated fat. With all the choices of wonderful toppings, why not add one more?! A few slices of avocado taste great and make it more of a California-style burger.
How do you ensure the best results from our recipe?
Our 4 tips to making a great Turkey Feta Burger:
High quality ingredients, and fresh organic produce for your mix-in ingredients and toppings.
For ground turkey, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. These burgers are easy to undercook and overcook, so keep a close eye on them and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
You can use your favorite burger buns, but we love the nutty flavor and healthy ingredients used in Dave's Killer Bread whole grain organic burger buns.
Don’t forget to try our Healthier Lemon Mint Aioli, and our Quick Pickled Onions, which really kick this burger up a few notches!
It’s time to customize and Pimp Our Recipe.
Pimp Our Recipe:
Make it Spicy: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the ground turkey, and mix it in with all the other ingredients.
Make it Milder: You can omit the green onions and fresh garlic, and substitute with a smidge of onion powder and garlic powder instead. Although the onions and garlic get cooked inside the burger while on the grill, it will still have a little bite. The powders will give the burgers flavor, without the bite of “raw” onion or garlic. Try using ¼ or ½ teaspoon of onion powder, and ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for a very mild flavor.
Make it California-Style: Top with avocado slices, heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula (or butter lettuce), country Dijon mustard, Healthier Lemon Mint Aioli, and our Quick Pickled Onions.
Enjoy and let us know what you think by commenting below, rating our recipes, subscribing, following, and liking us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to check the burgers with a meat thermometer when you think they are ready, and before removing them from the grill. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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