Posted October 5, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Elevate your burger night experience with these delectable spinach feta turkey burgers! These turkey burgers are bursting with Greek flavors and are topped with a zesty yogurt sauce, making them a nutritious, high-protein option for both lunch and dinner throughout the year.

If you’re seeking a change from the classic beef burger or looking for a leaner grilling option without sacrificing taste, these spinach feta turkey burgers are an excellent choice.

What’s even better is that they’re straightforward to prepare, and you may already have all the necessary ingredients at home! I’m confident that these spinach feta turkey burgers could become your preferred turkey burger recipe. So, why not give them a try?

What Makes These Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers Special

• Simple – Crafted with just a few ingredients, these burgers are incredibly easy to prepare.
• Flavorful – The addition of spinach and feta infuses the burgers with rich flavors.
• Juicy – They are tender, succulent, and bursting with juiciness.
• Lean – Turkey keeps these burgers lean and low in calories.
• High in Protein – Each turkey burger patty boasts a whopping 24 grams of protein.
• Versatile – Enjoy these spinach feta turkey burgers in a bun, as a lettuce wrap, or on a salad.

Ingredients for Turkey Burgers

To create these spinach feta turkey burgers, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ground Turkey – Opt for extra lean or lean ground turkey. Ground chicken is also an option if preferred.
• Spinach – The recipe calls for fresh spinach, but frozen spinach can be used as well. Refer to the recipe card below for instructions.
• Feta Cheese – Use crumbled feta to enhance moisture and flavor.
• Red Onion – For extra juiciness. White or yellow onions can be substituted if necessary.
• Garlic – Adds an extra layer of flavor. If fresh garlic isn’t available, use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Salt and Pepper – Season the burgers to your liking.

In addition to the burger patties, you can whip up a refreshing yogurt sauce. Detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Note: If you want to extend the ground turkey to make extra burger patties, you can add 1/3 cup of bread crumbs to the mixture, although it’s not mandatory.

Dietary Adaptations

To Make them Dairy-Free: Unfortunately, these burgers require feta, so dairy-free isn’t an option. However, if you can’t tolerate cow’s milk, consider using goat or sheep’s milk feta cheese.

To Make them Gluten-Free: No adjustments are needed for the turkey burger patties as they are naturally gluten-free. Opt for gluten-free burger buns.

How to Prepare This Recipe

Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting these delightful spinach feta turkey burgers:

• Cook the Onion, Garlic, and Spinach – In a warm pan with olive oil over medium heat, sauté the red onion until tender (2-3 minutes), add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then introduce chopped spinach with a pinch of salt and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. (While you can add these ingredients raw to the burgers, lightly cooking them before mixing with the ground turkey enhances both flavor and texture.)
• Prepare the Turkey Mixture – In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked red onion, garlic, and spinach mixture, crumbled feta cheese, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands.
• Shape the Burger Patties – Divide and shape the turkey mixture into four equally sized burger patties.
• Cook the Burgers – Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, then grill the patties for 4-5 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• Assemble to Your Liking – Once cooked, assemble the turkey burgers on toasted buns with your preferred toppings.
• Enjoy!

For detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

Other Cooking Options

While these spinach feta turkey burgers shine on the grill with enticing grill marks, you can also cook them in a cast iron skillet or grill pan if needed. Simply heat your pan to medium-high and grill the turkey burgers for 4-5 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

In addition to serving these turkey burgers on buns, they make a fantastic topping for salads. Fill a bowl with your favorite salad greens, place a turkey burger patty on top, and garnish with Greek dressing, tzatziki sauce, or a lemony Greek yogurt spread for a light meal.

Recommended Toppings

While traditional beef burgers or plain turkey burgers pair well with classic condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish, my favorite toppings for these spinach and feta turkey burgers include:

• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Red Onion
• Cucumber
• Olives
• Arugula
• Sprouts
• Dill
• Tzatziki sauce
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Garlic aioli

Accompaniments for Turkey Burgers

If you’re aiming to create a summer feast with these spinach feta turkey burgers, consider pairing them with the following:

Storage and Reheating

For Refrigeration: Store cooked turkey burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

For Freezing: Freeze raw turkey burger patties by placing them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes. Afterward, wrap each individual patty in plastic wrap and store the wrapped patties in a plastic bag or airtight container for up to four months. Cooked turkey burger patties can be wrapped individually in plastic wrap and then stored in a plastic bag or airtight container for up to four months.

For Reheating: To reheat a cooked turkey burger patty, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the center of the patty is hot. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes or the microwave for 1-2 minutes. If using frozen cooked burger patties, be sure to thaw them before reheating.

Ingredients

Turkey Burgers:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup minced red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Yogurt Sauce (optional):

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of black pepper

To Serve:

• Brioche or whole wheat bun
• Lettuce
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Thinly sliced cucumber

Instructions

• In a medium pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Sauté the red onion until tender (2-3 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Finally, add chopped spinach with a pinch of salt and cook until wilted and tender. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. (Although you can add these ingredients raw to the burgers, lightly cooking them before mixing them with the ground turkey helps to enhance the flavor and texture.)
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked red onion, garlic, and spinach mixture, crumbled feta cheese, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands.
• Once mixed, divide and shape the turkey burger mixture into 4 evenly-sized burger patties.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, then grill the patties for 4-5 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• While the burgers are cooking, prepare the yogurt sauce. Combine Greek yogurt, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Stir until well combined and set aside.
• After cooking, remove the turkey burgers from the grill and assemble them on buns with yogurt sauce and your choice of toppings.
• Any leftover burger patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Notes

Spinach: Although I used fresh spinach in this recipe, you can certainly use frozen spinach if you like. There is no need to cook or reheat the frozen spinach before adding it to the burger, simply thaw 1/4 cup of frozen spinach, then squeeze as much water of the excess water out of the spinach as possible before adding it to the ground turkey.

Turkey: The recipe calls for lean ground turkey, however, you can use any style of ground turkey you like. You can also use ground chicken if needed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 burger patty
• Calories: 235 calories
• Sugar: 1 gram
• Fat: 14 grams
• Carbohydrates: 3 grams
• Fiber: 1 gram
• Protein: 24 grams