Description
These Greek Turkey Burgers are a flavorful and healthy twist on the classic burger, infused with Mediterranean spices, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and fresh spinach. Perfectly seared on the stovetop and finished in the oven, they offer a juicy and savory meal that pairs well with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives (finely chopped)
- 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup finely chopped and packed fresh spinach
- Pinch of sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For Cooking
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 420°F to get it ready for finishing the burgers after searing.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped spinach, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form Patties: Scoop out a large fistful of the mixture and roll into a ball, then flatten it into a patty about 1 ½ inches thick. Repeat this process to make five evenly sized patties.
- Create Indentation: Press your thumb into the center of each patty to make a shallow indentation. This helps prevent the patties from doming as they cook.
- Preheat Skillet: Place a large oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly spray with olive oil. Wait until the skillet is hot before adding the patties.
- Sear Patties: Add the patties to the hot skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on one side until the edges are nicely browned and seared. Flip the patties over carefully.
- Cook One More Minute: Cook the flipped patties for an additional minute on the stovetop to develop a bit more color.
- Finish in Oven: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake the patties until their internal temperature reaches 165°F, typically between 9 to 11 minutes.
- Alternative Baking Method: Alternatively, you can bake the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil for 8 to 10 minutes at the same temperature.
- Serve: Serve the cooked burgers on toasted whole wheat buns with butter lettuce, cucumber slices, thin red onion slices if desired, sliced tomato, and a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of mayo. They can also be paired nicely with salad, rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables for a low-carb option.
Notes
- Using lean ground turkey keeps the burgers healthy but careful not to overcook them to prevent dryness.
- Creating an indentation in the patties stops them from puffing up and helps them cook evenly.
- The oven-safe skillet method ensures a perfect sear and even cooking balance.
- Substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different flavor and nutrition boost.
- For a gluten-free meal, skip the bun and serve with a side salad or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
