Ground turkey is the standard lean alternative to ground beef--and a good one--but burgers made from it can be dry and bland. These turkey burgers are particularly moist and flavorful because mushrooms are used to extend the ground meat.

From EatingWell:  Summer 2002, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004)

6 servings | Active Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, crusts removed, torn into pieces
• 8 ounces white mushrooms, wiped clean
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, (recipe follows), optional
• 1 pound lean ground turkey breast, (see Ingredient note)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 6 whole-wheat buns, (optional)
• Lettuce leaves & tomato slices, for garnish

Preparation

1. Place bread in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl. Pulse mushrooms in the food processor until finely chopped.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and the mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add to the breadcrumbs and let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if using.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high.
5. Add ground turkey, egg, dill, mustard, salt and pepper to the mushroom mixture; mix well with a potato masher. With dampened hands, form the mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties, using about 1/2 cup for each.
6. Oil the grill rack. Brush the patties with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Grill until no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165°F.) Meanwhile, split buns and toast on the grill for 30 to 60 seconds, if using. Serve burgers on buns, garnished with lettuce, tomato and Scallion-Lemon Mayonnaise, if desired.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 5. Wrap individually and refrigerate for up to 8 hours or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

• Ingredient Note: Lean ground turkey breast has 110 calories and 1 gram fat per 3-ounce serving, compared to 193 calories and 11 grams fat in regular ground turkey (which may include leg meat and skin).

Nutrition Profile

Diabetes appropriate | Low calorie | Low carbohydrate | Low saturated fat | Low sodium | Heart healthy | Healthy weight | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Nutrition
Per serving (without buns or garnishes):

193 calories; 10 g fat (2 g sat, 5 g mono); 95 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein; 2 g fiber; 418 mg sodium; 383 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: 383 mg potassium (19% dv).

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1/2 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat

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