Grilled Turkey Burgers with Coleslaw and Pickles.

We’ve had a couple of days with temperatures in the 70’s….nice warm spring days.  From my kitchen window I can see our gas grille, with its cover still over it, on the back deck,  just waiting to be fired up.   My mouth was watering for a juicy burger, so I decided today was the day for our first cookout of the season.

I frequently use ground turkey to make burgers and I had some on hand so that was I used to make the recipe that follows.  In fact the recipe suggests adding creamy coleslaw and pickles to really dress up the burgers.  I set to work shredding the cabbage for my Creamy Garlic Coleslaw which you can find the recipe for here, then I mixed up the burger mixture.  Instead of a bulky hamburg bun I planned to use Multi-Grain Sandwich Thins, since we are cutting back on carbohydrates (again, sigh), and I added some chopped apple to my burger mixture to help keep them juicy.

As I finished forming the burgers, I looked out the window and noticed that the sun had disappeared, and in its place we now had black clouds rolling in.  You have probably guessed what happened next:  a thunderstorm with pouring down rain.  So much for my cookout!

But you know what I say?  “When the skies turn gray, grill anyway”.  So out came my grill pan and I was still able to make burgers that were grilled, juicy and yummy.  My husband said “you should write about these they are really good.  And so I am.  We topped ours with sliced tomato,  pickle slices, and coleslaw with a thin spread of mayonnaise on the roll.   Perfect in spite of the rain.

GRILLED TURKEY BURGERS

SERVINGS    4

• 1  1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup fresh soft breadcrumbs
• 1/2 small onion minced, or chopped green onion
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley, or 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 cup finely diced apple, optional
• 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted

Assorted toppings:   mustard or mayonnaise, tomato slices, sliced sandwich pickles, creamy coleslaw, thinly sliced apple.

1.  Combine all the above ingredients, except buns, and form into 4  (1-inch-thick) patties.  Do not over mix, and handle lightly or burgers will be mushy. With your finger make a depression in the center of each one.

Make a depression in the center of the burgers to keep them from puffing up.

This keeps them from puffing up, so they retain their shape better. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper, and grill on a lightly oiled rack over medium-high heat 6 – 7 minutes on each side or until done.  Remove from grill, cover loosely and let rest about 5 minutes.

2.  Spread toasted buns with mustard or mayonnaise.  Top with tomato slices, burger, pickle slices and a spoonful of creamy coleslaw.

These were nicely seasoned and very moist.

SOURCE:   Country Living Magazine