Totally Edible Turkey Burgers

We've all had a dry, lackluster turkey burger. I might eat one from time to time in the interest of my health, but until a couple of years ago I never actually enjoyed a turkey burger.  I like the idea of a turkey burger. They’re lower in fat, therefore better for your heart and waistline. I just never tasted a turkey burger that “wowed” me. 

The decision to not serve turkey burgers in our household seemed a fairly easy one.  Despite the fact that was I not a fan of the turkey burger, my husband claimed to despise turkey burgers. I've known him for over 14 years and I learned of his sincere distaste for the turkey burger approximately two weeks into our relationship. As a result, I'd never served him a turkey burger.

Sure, I've secretly mixed turkey with beef into chili or a casserole. And turkey sausage is a different story altogether. Turkey sausage is seasoned well enough that it's easy to sneak into soup or spaghetti sauce. But just a turkey patty on the grill? I wouldn't have dreamed of it.

Then one day, I met a turkey burger that I liked. In the summer of 2009, I traveled to Las Vegas to help one of my sisters celebrate her 30th birthday. While visiting “Sin City”, I looked up a friend whose husband was the chef at a wine bar and bistro just off of the strip. We arranged to meet at his restaurant, The Grape, and because of our “connections” I was able to sample quite a few items on the menu for free! The baked brie, the garlic hummus, and the fresh mozzarella salad were all standouts. But what really caught my attention were the out-of-this-world turkey “sliders”. I couldn’t believe how good they tasted!

I returned to my own kitchen with a new-found respect for the turkey burger and the courage to try again. I found this recipe in Taste of Home magazine and decided to give it a try. These turkey burgers with caramelized onions will make you reconsider your position on the turkey burger if it tends toward the negative. I loved them, and so did my husband. He just didn't know that he was eating a turkey burger…

Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onions adapted from Taste of Home

2 large sweet onions, cut into 1/8-inch slices
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1-1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
salt and pepper, to taste
6 hamburger buns, split
4 tablespoons butter
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

In a large nonstick skillet over low heat, cook onions in oil and butter for 1 hour or until tender, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with the sugar, salt and pepper; cook over medium-low heat for 45-60 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with thyme; keep warm. In a large bowl, combine the green onions, Worcestershire sauce and pepper sauce; crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into six patties. Coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting the grill. Grill burgers, covered, over medium-hot heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 165° and juices run clear. Meanwhile, mix 4 tablespoons butter with garlic. Spread a thin layer over each bun. Toast under broiler. Serve turkey burgers on buns with caramelized onions.

Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Info:
One serving: 1 burger with about 1/3 cup onions (without the bun)
Calories: 311 Fat:12 g Saturated Fat: 3 g Cholesterol:76 mg Sodium:596 mg Carbohydrate:28 g Fiber:2 g Protein:21 g Diabetic Exchange: 3 lean meat, 2 starch