Barefoot Contessa turkey burger recipe is a satisfying combination of richness of flavor, juiciness of texture, and ease of preparation. This turkey burger has a gourmet flair that makes it so much more than your typical burger and proves that healthy choices can still be decadent, too — thanks to a recipe from Ina Garten. Her simple but beautiful cooking style makes her recipes with their focus on fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and techniques that elevate from simple to sublime.
Turkey burgers can be dry and dull, but thanks to some clever ingredient combinations from Ina, this recipe produces a moist, tender, and flavorful result. Whether you’re throwing a summer barbecue, making a family dinner, or wanting a healthy burger option, this recipe is for you.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (93 percent lean, if possible)
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- 4 burger buns
Optional toppings: leaf lettuce, tomato slices, red onion, sliced avocado, cheese, or your favorite condiments.
Procedure
Preparing the Turkey Mixture
In a mixing bowl, add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and Dijon mustard to ground turkey. Combined, these ingredients give a tart, smoky base, anchoring the penetration of moisture to help keep the turkey burgers from drying out. The umami richness of Worcestershire sauce improves the subtle flavor of the turkey, ketchup lends sweetness, and Dijon mustard gives a little peppiness.
Then, add the grated Parmesan cheese. This not only provides a wonderful, savory, cheesy flavor, but it also helps to hold the meat together. While those are cooking, the cheese melts beautifully, and you will end up with a juicy and rich burger.
Finely minced parsley brings brightness, cutting through all of the cheese and the accompaniments’ richness. Add some seasoning to the mixture (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper). These critical seasonings keep the turkey from tasting bland and create layers of flavor.
With your hands or a spatula, quickly mix the ingredients until they are just combined. You want to avoid overmixing the turkey mixture, as this will give you dense, tough turkey burgers, so go for a light touch and an even texture.
Shaping the Patties
Divide turkey mixture into 4 portions. With your hands, form each portion into a patty roughly 3/4-inch thick. To promote even cooking, use your thumb to push down lightly into the center of each patty, making a shallow indentation. This is to avoid the burgers blowing up like balloons as they cook and to help them cook evenly.
Cooking the Turkey Burgers
In a large skillet or grill pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Go on and very, very gently add the turkey patties once the oil is hot. Cook for approximately 5-6 minutes each side. The burgers will develop a golden-brown crust but will still be moist and tender inside.
For added flavor, brush the patties with more Worcestershire sauce as they cook. If you want to add cheese, place a slice of your favorite kind of cheese on top of each patty for the last minute of cooking, covering the pan to help it melt.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature—it should be 165°F (75°C) for a fully cooked and safe turkey.
Toasting the Buns
Toast the burger buns while you’re cooking the burgers to add some texture and flavor. Butter the cut sides of the buns and place in a skillet or on the grill until golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. In addition to this, this simple step makes a big difference for the texture overall and prevents the buns from getting soggy when topped with juicy patties.
Assembling the Burgers
Set each turkey patty on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Top with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato slices, red onion rings, or creamy avocado, if desired. For extra flavor, spread onto the top bun a slick of mayonnaise, aioli, or spicy mustard onto the top bun before sealing up the burger.
Serving Suggestions
Barefoot Contessa’s turkey burgers are versatile and work well with many sides. Pair these with such ideas for a full gourmet experience:
- Sweet potato fries: Their sweetness works well with the smoky flavors of the turkey burger.
- Grilled Vegetables: Bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus набивають up color and nutrition.
- Crispy Coleslaw: A tart slaw gives crunch and cuts the richness of the burger.
- I’ll have the Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes to repeat myself, but Parmesan in the turkey patties.
- Mixed Green Salad: A light salad dressed with vinaigrette helps balance the decadence of the burger.
Cooking Tips For The Perfect Turkey Burger
- Choose the Right Turkey: For maximum juiciness, use turkey with a mix of light and dark meat (93 percent lean). Fat-free turkey tends to be dry.
- Do not overmix: Use gentle mixing to keep the turkey tender. Overworked meat can be tough.
- Getting Overcooked? Turkey Overcooks Fast. Use a meat thermometer so you hit 165° (the safe temp for poultry) without overcooking it.
- Rest the Patties: After cooking, let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to migrate throughout the meat so that the bite is tender and flavorful.
Variations to Try
- Mediterranean Turkey Burgers: Mix crumbled feta, chopped olives, and a sprinkle of oregano into the turkey mixture. Top with tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean-themed spin.
- Spicy Chipotle Burgers: Blend in chipotle powder, minced jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime juice. Top with pepper jack milk for a bold kick.
- BBQ Turkey Burgers: Swap ketchup for barbecue sauce and stir in caramelized onions for a smoky-sweet finish.
Nutritional Information
Without any toppings or omelet buns, a regular Barefoot Contessa turkey burger has about:
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
For fewer calories, omit the cheese or use reduced-fat Parmesan. For a low-carb version, serve the burger on a bed of greens or in a wrap in lettuce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Seasoning: Turkey meat is milder than beef, so it needs a good amount of seasoning; otherwise, it’s very bland.
Cooking Too Sudden On High: Overheating turkey burgers too completely has led to an inside that is undercooked in the deepest; the outside has cooked. Keep the heat medium for nice, even cooking.
Skip the Thermometer: Unlike beef, turkey burgers need to be cooked through for safety. A thermometer lets you know when your burger logs in at 165 degrees F — no guesswork.
Why This Recipe Stands Out?
Ina Garten’s recipes on her Barefoot Contessa gig are known for their simplicity, elegance, and use of fresh ingredients. Her turkey burger recipe embodies this philosophy, mixing bold flavors with a leaner alternative. Blending in Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard, this recipe both amplifies the flavor of the turkey and helps keep it moist, which, with so many turkey burger recipes, is where they go wrong.
Whether you’re having guests or just a weeknight meal, this recipe delivers gourmet quality with very little effort. But thanks to Ina Garten’s signature touch, each bite is juicy, flavorful, and well seasoned.
Conclusion
Barefoot Contessa turkey burgers are a master class in how to balance flavor and texture and sound simple to make. This stuffed turkey burger is great for any gathering with its rich, savory profile and endless topping options. Whether served on its own or alongside fresh sides, it’s a satisfying alternative to old-school beef burgers. Make this recipe today and indulge in every juicy, succulent bite!
