Add some Mediterranean flair to your next burger night with these Greek inspired spinach feta turkey burgers! A breeze to make and packed with protein, these burgers are a healthy twist on a classic favorite. Serve with a dollop of lemon dill yogurt sauce for ultimate yums!
New favorite burger alert! My husband is literally getting the grill ready to go as I write this so it's definitely time for some summer food fare. Let's start the season off strong with a batch of spinach feta turkey burgers! Now what makes these burgers so tender, juicy, and delicious? Scroll down to find out ๐.
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Why You'll Love Them
These spinach feta turkey burgers are a great alternative to traditional beef burgers, offering up a leaner option that doesn't skimp on taste. The combo of spinach, feta cheese, and kalamata olives adds a Mediterranean flair that sets these burgers apart from the rest. Not only are they absolutely delicious, but they're also a cinch to whip up - perfect for a weekday meal or the star of your next BBQ!
What You'll Need
Grab these key ingredients to make the patties. Scroll down to the recipe for a full list of extra add ons and an optional lemon dill yogurt sauce!
- Lean ground turkey - I used a 93% lean, free-range brand. Try to avoid the kind that comes in a tube. In my experience, those have a little too much liquid.
- Handful of fresh spinach - I prefer baby spinach but regular will also work.
- Crumbled feta cheese - Do yourself a favor and skip the already crumbled feta. Get a feta block, and crumble it yourself. SO much more flavor!
- Kalamata olives - The secret ingredient ๐. Chop 'em up small, throw 'em in, and trust me.
- A couple minced garlic cloves, because obviously.
- Pinch of Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley
- A little coarse salt and some ground black pepper
Tips and Tricks
For perfectly tender, juicy spinach feta turkey burgers:
- Avoid over-mixing the meat. When you combine your ground turkey with all those delightful Mediterranean ingredients, gently fold everything together until just combined. This keeps the meat tender and juicy.
- Resist the urge to press down on them with a spatula, as it squeezes out those precious juices you worked so hard to keep in the patties!. You're looking for a nice golden-brown crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165ยฐF.
- Speaking of which, be careful not to overcook them. Turkey can dry out quickly, so cook the burgers until they just reach an internal temperature of 165ยฐF. I actually prefer to remove from heat at 160หF and let them rest under foil for 5 minutes to cook the rest of the way.
What to Serve With These Burgers
For a complete Mediterranean experience, serve your spinach feta turkey burgers with a dollop of lemon dill yogurt sauce, some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and a handful of crisp lettuce on lightly toasted, whole wheat hamburger buns.
Psst...I also like to top mine with a few quick-pickled red onion slices for extra flavor! If you're interested, instructions for these zingy add-ons are included in the recipe notes ๐ค๐ป.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Just be sure to thaw and squeeze out the excess water before mixing it into the turkey.
Absolutely. You can prep the turkey burger patties up to one day before. Store them tightly wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Sure! Once they've thoroughly cooled, wrap them individjually very securely in cling wrap. Place in a ziploc bag and store in the freezer up to one month.
Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 large burger patties 1x
Description
Add some Mediterranean flair to your next burger night with these Greek inspired spinach feta turkey burgers! A breeze to make and packed with protein, these burgers are a healthy twist on a classic favorite. Serve with a dollop of lemon dill yogurt sauce for ultimate yums!
Ingredients
For the Turkey Burgers
- 1 lb ground turkey, 93% lean
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- ยผ cup kalamata olives, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, roughly minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Lemon Dill Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, roughly minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving
- Whole wheat hamburger buns, lightly toasted
- English cucumber, thinly sliced
- Roma or heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- Bib lettuce, roughly torn
- Extra feta cheese crumbles
- Dijon mustard
- Quick pickled red onion if desired*
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat an outdoor grill or aย grill pan rubbed with a little oil.*
- Make the lemon dill yogurt sauce (optional): In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.ย
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the turkey burgers.ย ย Divide meat into four large and round equal portions to make the patties. Flatten to the approximate size of your burger buns. Press your thumb into the center of each patty, forming an indent, to allow for even cooking.
- Place burger patties on the prepared grill surface or in a large non-stick pan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the burgers until they just reach an internal temperature of 165ยฐF, about 5 minutes per side.ย
- Remove from heat and let rest under foil for a couple minutes. Serve with a dollop of lemon dill yogurt sauce (if using) and all the fixins as desired!ย
Notes
For the quick pickled red onion: Combine 1 large red onion (very thinly sliced), 1 cup apple cider vinegar, ยฝ cup water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, and 1 teaspoon sea salt in a sealable container (32 ounce mason jar works well). Making sure it's well sealed, give it a good shake and place in the fridge to chill for at least 10 minutes. Keep chilled until ready to use.
Don't want to grill? No worries! These burgers also work great cooked up on the stove in a large pan (non-stick pan, cast iron skillet, any kind really) drizzled with a tablespoon of olive oil. Instructions for cooking remain the same.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Burgers
- Method: Grilling/Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean/American
Tad Gielow says
Just made this. Substituted pita bread for the hamburger bun. Sooooo delish!!