Turkey Smash Burgers
Make light, flavorful turkey smash burgers by searing turkey on a scorching skillet to create a crispy crust and top it with melted American cheese.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground turkey, 80-90%, dark meat
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, coarse ground, to taste
- 6 slices American cheese
- 6 buns, toasted
Instructions
- Use a food scale to portion 4-5 ounces of ground turkey and loosely form them into balls. Then, prepare 2-3 small pieces of parchment paper.
- Warm one tablespoon of butter in a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add one of the turkey balls to the skillet, place the parchment over the top and use a burger press or something heat-safe to press down on the burger until it's ¼ inch thick. Leave it there and let the patty cook for 3-5 minutes, until the edges of the patty change color.
- Remove the press and parchment paper. Flip and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the cheese slice and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Set the burger aside, add another tablespoon of butter and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Notes
Expert Tips:
- Loosely form the ground turkey into balls; there is no need to knead or roll them into perfect balls. Doing so, prevents them from releasing all their juices and forming the crispy bits that make turkey smash burgers so delicious.
- Ensure the cooking surface (pan or griddle) is hot before adding the turkey.
- Lay down a small piece of parchment paper before adding the press and smashing the ground turkey; this will keep the patty from sticking and maintain its juiciness as it cooks.
- Use a burger press, spatula, or heat-safe press to smash the burgers.
- Flip the burger when you see the edges change color, and the top of the burger begins releasing juices.
- Turkey is lean and prone to drying out. For this reason, be sure you don’t overcook the patties. The best way to know the burgers cook all the way through is to use a food thermometer. The safe cooking temperature for turkey is 165°F (73°C).
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Turkey Burger | Calories: 464 kcal | Carbohydrates: 22 g | Protein: 39 g | Fat: 23 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 134 mg | Sodium: 1332 mg | Potassium: 372 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 22 IU | Vitamin C: -35 mg | Calcium: 34 mg | Iron: 17 mg
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