Turkey-Mushroom Burgers

From EatingWell: Summer 2002, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

Ground turkey is the standard lean alternative to ground beef--and a good one--but burgers made from it can be dry and bland. These turkey burgers are particularly moist and flavorful because mushrooms are used to extend the ground meat.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I used a quarter cup bread crumbs instead of the torn bread slices. I left off the mayonnaise but added a small piece of havarti dill cheese a minute before it was done cooking. Hungryhippo, Portland, OR "

6 servings

Active Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed, torn into pieces
8 ounces white mushrooms, wiped clean
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, (recipe follows), optional
1 pound lean ground turkey breast, (see Ingredient note)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 whole-wheat buns, (optional)
Lettuce leaves & tomato slices, for garnish

Preparation

Place bread in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl. Pulse mushrooms in the food processor until finely chopped.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and the mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add to the breadcrumbs and let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if using.
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Add ground turkey, egg, dill, mustard, salt and pepper to the mushroom mixture; mix well with a potato masher. With dampened hands, form the mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties, using about 1/2 cup for each.
Oil the grill rack. Brush the patties with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Grill until no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165°F.) Meanwhile, split buns and toast on the grill for 30 to 60 seconds, if using. Serve burgers on buns, garnished with lettuce, tomato and Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 5. Wrap individually and refrigerate for up to 8 hours or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

Ingredient Note: Lean ground turkey breast has 110 calories and 1 gram fat per 3-ounce serving, compared to 193 calories and 11 grams fat in regular ground turkey (which may include leg meat and skin).

Nutrition

Per serving (without buns or garnishes): 193 calories; 10 g fat (2 g sat, 5 g mono); 95 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein; 2 g fiber; 418 mg sodium; 383 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: 383 mg potassium (19% dv).

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1/2 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat