Salsa Verde Turkey Burger
Savory Salsa Verde Turkey Burgers have a southwest flair and are so juicy and delicious that you’ll forget they’re a better-for-you option!
Oh, how I love a good burger! Meaty, cheesy goodness on a warm, fresh bun…YUM! If you love burgers like I do, you have got to try these Salsa Verde Turkey Burgers. With ground turkey, avocado, sour cream, pepper jack, green salsa, and tons of seasonings, the tasty Tex-Mex flare is an excellent recipe for your next grilling night!
Salsa Verde Turkey Burgers are Full of Flavor!
In the past, turkey burgers have been “hit or miss” for me. Sometimes, they can be dry and bland – but not these! This is the best turkey burger recipe ever!
The ground turkey burger patty is blended with bread crumbs, salt, salsa, and cilantro, making it so moist and tasty! The burger is garnished with pepper jack cheese, ripe tomatoes or a little red onion, and a killer sauce made from avocado, sour cream, garlic, and cilantro. OH MY. So many layers of delicious flavors!
Other Recipes to Serve with Salsa Verde Turkey Burgers
- Fried Green Tomatoes, need I say more? They are a perfect side dish (or appetizer!) for these luscious turkey burgers!
- Make this fresh Southwest Corn Salsa for dipping chips, and your kids will never miss French fries!
Ingredients
Patties: The ground turkey is mixed with bread crumbs, salt, green salsa, and a little cilantro for maxed-out flavor! If you’re one of the 17% who think cilantro tastes like soap, feel free to substitute here!
Sauce: The sauce is what MAKES this burger! It’s a glorious blend of avocado, sour cream, minced garlic, and fresh cilantro.
Extras: Of course, every great burger deserves a great bun, and this recipe calls for pepper-jack cheese and ripe red tomatoes as toppings. Colby jack would also be tasty, as well as thinly sliced red onion or pepperoncini peppers.
How to Make Salsa Verde Turkey Burgers
STEP ONE: Mash the avocado, sour cream, garlic, and cilantro together until everything is blended but still a bit chunky. Season the sauce with salt to taste and chill in the fridge until you’re ready to build the burgers.
STEP TWO: In a medium mixing bowl, mix the ground turkey, salt, cilantro, bread crumbs, and salsa verde. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and then form them into four patties.
STEP THREE: Place in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
STEP FOUR: After 5 minutes, flip the burgers and add a slice of cheese on top of each one. Cook the patties for another 5 minutes.
STEP FIVE: Place each turkey cheeseburger patty on a bun with some sliced red onion, a couple of slices of tomato, and a generous dollop of avocado sauce. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Steam the hamburger buns for a few seconds. It makes all the difference in the feel of a good, juicy burger!
- Lime, cumin, and dill all make good substitutes for cilantro.
- Overcooking the burgers will dry them out. Ten minutes will be plenty, but you’ll know the burgers are done when the juice runs clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
What is Salsa Verde?
Salsa verde is a green salsa made from tomatillos instead of tomatoes. Now, tomatillos are NOT just unripe, green baby tomatoes. Tomatillos are small fruits that grow in rough, leafy husks. They are slightly less sweet than vine-ripened tomatoes but denser and less watery. Tomatillos have a fantastic tart, acidic quality, making them perfect for salsas.
Is Turkey Healthier than Beef?
Regarding flavor, it’s hard to beat 70/30 ground beef! Still, it’s very high in calories and saturated fat. On the other hand, ground poultry – especially turkey – is lean and loaded with protein. To compare, a 1/4 pound beef patty contains nearly 300 calories, and 68% of those calories come from fat. On the other hand, a 1/4 pound turkey burger contains only 170 calories, with just 42% of those coming from fat. Clearly, turkey is a superior choice for weight management and heart health.
Other Tasty Turkey Recipes!
- Turkey Meatballs
- Turkey and Chorizo Enchilada Casserole
- Roasted Turkey Tenderloin with Stuffing
- Monte Cristo Turkey Sandwiches
- Turkey Meatloaf
- Skillet Turkey Cornbread Casserole
*This post was originally posted on 08/28/2012.
Salsa Verde Turkey Burger
Equipment
Ingredients
Avocado Sauce
- 1 avocado pitted and skin removed
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt to taste
Burgers
- 1 ¼ pounds 85% lean ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- ½ cup salsa verde
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 small tomatoes sliced
- ½ red onion peeled and sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mash the avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and garlic together with a fork until combined but still a bit chunky. Season with salt to taste. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, salt, cilantro, salsa, and bread crumbs until evenly combined. Use your hands to divide into 4 equal portions and then form into burger patties.
- Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burger patties and cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip the burgers. Then top each one with a slice of pepper jack cheese. Cook for another 5 minutes until the burgers are cooked through, and the cheese has melted.
- To serve: Add a couple of slices of red onion on the bottom burger bun. Then add the turkey burger, a couple of tomato slices, and then a big dollop of the avocado sauce. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can add some pepperoncini on top of the turkey burger for a little extra zip if you like.
- For a low-carb option, skip the burger bun and layer the onions and tomatoes on top of the patty before topping with sauce. Then grab a fork and knife and dig in.
