Description
I’ve been firing up Mediterranean Turkey Burgers ever since I decided to give our burger nights a healthy, zesty spin. These patties are juicy, packed with feta and herbs, and topped with creamy tzatziki that makes my family go wild. My first batch was a crumbly mess, but now I’ve nailed it, and they’re a weeknight staple. Perfect for a quick dinner or a summer barbecue, these burgers are a flavor explosion!
Ingredients
Here’s what I use to make Mediterranean Turkey Burgers shine. Fresh herbs and quality turkey are key, and don’t skip draining that cucumber for the tzatziki. Everything’s easy to grab at the store.
Burger Patties
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1 lb (450g) ground turkey, 93% lean
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1/2 cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese
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1/4 cup (40g) red onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 large egg, beaten
Optional Tzatziki Topping
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1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt, full-fat
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1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
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1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or mint)
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1/4 teaspoon salt
For Serving
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4 whole wheat burger buns (or lettuce wraps)
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1 cup (30g) fresh spinach
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1 large tomato, sliced
Instructions
Grilling Mediterranean Turkey Burgers is a breeze with my tried-and-true steps. I’ve learned some shortcuts (and mistakes to dodge!) over the years.
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Mix Patties: Combine turkey, feta, onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and egg in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just blended. I overmixed once, and the burgers were tough—lesson learned!
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Form Patties: Shape into 4 patties, about 1/2-inch thick, with a slight indent in the center. This keeps them flat while cooking. I used to skip the indent, and they puffed up like balloons!
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Make Tzatziki: Grate cucumber, squeeze out water, and mix with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and salt. Chill it. I use a towel to wring out the cucumber—keeps the sauce thick.
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Cook Patties: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium with a drizzle of oil. Cook patties 5-6 minutes per side until 165°F inside. I check with a thermometer to avoid dry burgers.
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Toast Buns: Lightly toast buns on the grill or in a toaster. I skip this when I’m lazy, but it adds a nice crunch.
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Assemble Burgers: Spread tzatziki on the bottom bun, add a patty, then top with spinach, tomato, and extra tzatziki. Serve hot. My kids love piling on the toppings!
Notes
Don’t skip the egg—it binds the Mediterranean Turkey Burgers so they don’t crumble (I learned that the hard way!). Squeeze the cucumber dry for thick tzatziki; a watery sauce ruins the vibe. Lettuce wraps work great for low-carb diets. For a smoky kick, grill outdoors—my summer go-to. Store patties and tzatziki separately to keep everything fresh. And don’t overcook, or you’ll end up with hockey pucks (yep, been there!).
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Equipment:
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Large mixing bowl
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Grill pan or skillet
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Grater (for cucumber)
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Meat thermometer
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Toaster or grill (for buns)
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- Prep Time: 15 minutes (a bit more if I’m chopping slowly)
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Burgers
- Method: Grilling, Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Mediterranean Turkey Burgers, healthy burgers, tzatziki recipe, summer grilling