Here is a simple post to get you ready for Cinco De Mayo. I think my most favorite type of burger to create is a Mexican Turkey Burger. My wife does not eat a regular beef hamburger. We most frequently make burgers using either ground turkey or ground chicken. Ground turkey and chicken provide the same consistency as a beef burger but the meat has so much less flavor. So ground turkey and chicken are such a perfect blank canvass to work with. My development as a home chef, to me, is evident in something as simple as this Mexican Turkey Burger.
Mexican Turkey Burger
I really think about building layers of flavor. The burger gets spiced really well with my cornucopia of Mexican spices. I am in love with my Sunny Oaxaca – chipotle coffee rub. I added this to the outside of this burger. This burger is spiced well with salt, pepper, adobo seasoning and ground guajillo powder. Additional texture is developed with the addition of two flavors of bell peppers and red onions. I do change up how I develop this Mexican Turkey Burger. In recent incarnations, I have sautéed the vegetables and spiced them before adding them to the burger. A good way to get flavor into the meat but it does not add as much texture to the burger.
I really like adding a slaw to my Mexican burgers. It adds such good crunch and I make it creamy and spicy. In this slaw, the base was fat free Greek yogurt to keep it light. I did add a little mayonnaise for flavor. The slaw was kicked up with jalapeno mustard in the dressing and chopped jalapenos mixed with the cabbage. To keep it traditionally Mexican, I chopped up some fresh cilantro and added it as well. The final layer for this sandwich was avocados mashed up and lathered on the bun. No guacamole, just the creamy, chunky texture of the avocados.
The ground turkey and spices and the ingredients shown in the bowl.
Burger Ingredients
Ingredients in Bowl
Jalapenos Added
The cole slaw ingredients and then the building of the slaw.
Cole Slaw Ingredients
Cole Slaw Dressing
Cilantro and Peppers Added
Cabbage Added
Cole Slaw Mixed
The burgers in the skillet and topped with the pepperjack cheese.
Burgers Spices in Skillet
Pepperjack Cheese Added
The final plating of the Mexican Turkey Burger.
Mexican Turkey Burger Plated
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons guajillo powder
- 2 tablespoons adobo seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons Sunny Oaxaca spice
- 8 - 10 slices of pepperjack cheese
- 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil
- 1/2 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Jalapeno mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/2 head red cabbage, sliced
- 1/4 head green cabbage, sliced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 3 tablespoons jalapeno, diced
- 1/2 lemon juice, squeezed
- 2 avocados, mashed
- 4 buns (I went to the cabinet and then freezer to find I had no buns. I used hot dog buns)
- Combine the ground turkey, the spices and the peppers. Mix well.
- Divide into 4 equal parts and form into burgers with your hands.
- Combine the yogurt, mustard, mayonnaise and spices. Mix well.
- Add in the vegetable ingredients and mix well.
- Heat a cast iron skillet on medium high heat.
- Add the oil and warm until shimmering.
- Spice the outside of the burgers with the Sunny Oaxaca spice.
- Add in the burgers and cook for approximately 5 minutes per side.
- In the final minute of cooking, top with 2 - 3 slices of the pepperjack cheese.
- Cover the pot to get a good melt.
- Let the burgers rest for 1 - 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, top the bun with the mashed avocado.
- Add the burger.
- Top with the slaw.
- Serve and enjoy!
Every tie I make turkey burgers they come out so dry. I will have to try your recipe and see what happens. It looks delicious!
I have it down. Just add some liquid – soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, etc. and you will never have a dry turkey burger again.
Another amazing recipe Peter! My partner is not a big fan of turkey but I think this is just the thing to change her mind. Just looking at your ingredient list is exciting! It’s just an explosion of flavours. Can’t wait to try.
You need to convince your partner with a good recipe. I always used beef but my wife only eats turkey for burgers. So I added a lot more flavor and now I eat turkey way more than beef. I also use ground chicken a lot which is moister than turkey.
Such an amazing combination of flavors. That Oaxaca rub sounds perfect.
Tara, I am in love with this oaxaca rub.
I haven’t even had my breakfast and I’m craving meat!!
You are funny Sue. Thx.
This burger looks sooo good! I love how you have layered the flavors here. Ground turkey is a great blank canvas and slaw with burgers is a great idea.
You are so right. It starts with a blank canvas enabling the chef to add and develop the flavors.
The coleslaw looks amazing! I love the mixture of green and purple cabbage!!!
And using part yoghurt part mayo, excellent idea. Lighter on calories which means I can eat more of it 😉
Thx you nailed the underlying features of this dish perfectly.
I love the idea of layering of different chillis to develop the flavour. So much colour, texture and taste in this, burgers really can be gourmet can’t they?
Thx so much Helen.
I agree that ground turkey tends to be a bit on the bland side. I love cooking with adobo seasoning and ground guajillo powder. It adds in such a kick of flavor.
I will say, I never thought to put slaw in my burger, but I will definitely try that out!
Mica, you need to try the slaw. Adds such great texture.
I’m blown away by all the different ingredients going into this one burger. All the flavors mingled together with one big bite. So so good. I’ve never tried chicken and turkey burger before. I think it’s high time I do. Yum!
Thx so much. Do give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
Love every element of this burger!! Cant wait to grill this up!
Apparently I hit a home run with you!
Looks amazing! Such a delicious burger! Nettie
Thx Nettie.
Looks terrific, what a great way to enjoy a burger.
Lots of great ingredients adding some terrific flavor – looks fantastic!
Thx Debra.