As an alternative to red meat/ground beef hamburgers, turkey burgers offer a different texture and flavor. However, turkey burgers need ingredients, seasoning, something. Ground turkey can be very bland even with traditional burger toppings. Mixing the flavor into the meat creates a juicy, flavorful bite!

Fontina cheese has an unbelievable meltability! Perfect for burgers!
Fontina cheese has an unbelievable meltability! Perfect for burgers!

I made Ina Garten’s pesto the other day- minus the walnuts, double the Parmesan cheese- it proved to be a great addition to turkey burgers!

Pesto is a quick and easy marinade or sauce for pasta, chicken, and fish!
Pesto is a quick and easy marinade or sauce for pasta, chicken, and fish!

Here is the recipe:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pesto-recipe.html

Pesto Turkey Burgers
Makes 8 burgers

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. ground white meat turkey
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 eggs
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Ina Garten’s pesto (minus the walnuts, double the parm)
2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
Salt/pepper

Directions:
Preheat grill to 350 degrees.

Wash hands.

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix with hands until well blended.

Throw all of the ingredients in the bowl and mix!
Throw all of the ingredients in the bowl and mix!

Mixture should be slightly sticky and able to hold form.

Make a burger patty by taking a small ball, flattening it and pressing the edges while turning until firm.

Make sure to clean your hands and work surface with a disinfectant after working with the raw ground turkey.
Make sure to clean your hands and work surface with a disinfectant after working with the raw ground turkey.

Grill the patties for 5 mins. Flip over and grill another 3-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Roasted Corn is always a beautiful compliment to grilled meats. Remove silk from corn. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. Roast on top shelf of grill for approx 8 mins. Or until a kernel pops with the fork test.
Roasted Corn is always a beautiful compliment to grilled meats. Remove silk from the corn, while leaving the leaves attached. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. Roast on the grill’s top shelf for approx 8 mins or until a kernel pops with the fork test.

I topped the burgers with sliced fontina cheese for approximately one minute until melted, and served the burgers on wheat hamburger buns with our favorite burger toppings! The pesto was not overpowering, it was perfect!

Ciao!