Turkey burgers & fries with lemon-garlic broccoli

YES

These turkey burgers are fabulous! If you give me the choice between beef or turkey, I’ll probably choose beef 9 times out of 10. It’s really hard to beat an Angus burger! But if you’re looking for a healthier option that still has tons of flavor, this turkey burger is it!

These turkey burgers are juicy, not dry, and they’re jam-packed with flavor from lots of spices and condiments inside the burger patty — genius!

And the lemon-garlic broccoli? To die for. The flavor is all in the method— the broccoli is pan-seared first, then doused in lemon juice and garlic just when it needs to absorb some moisture. The end result is juicy and tender, savory and a little sweet.

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Turkey Burgers & Fries with Lemon-Garlic Broccoli
Total time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

For Dietary Restrictions

• Gluten free: use gluten-free buns, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, and gluten-free breadcrumbs

• Dairy free: omit cheese or use dairy-free cheese

Kids Can Help

• Measure & mix burger ingredients; break apart broccoli florets; peel garlic

Ingredients

For the turkey burgers:

• 1 lb ground turkey

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1½ Tbsp ketchup

• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• ⅓ cup plain bread crumbs

• 1 egg

For the broccoli:

• 3 large broccoli crowns

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided (1 tsp x 3)

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• 3-5 garlic cloves

• 1 ½ Tbsp lemon juice

To serve:

• 4 hamburger buns

• 4 slices Swiss, Havarti, or Gouda cheese

• Condiments of choice: ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce

• Toppings of choice: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles

• 1 28 oz bag of frozen french fries

Tools

• Small baking tray or a dinner plate

• Parchment paper

• Large baking tray

• Large mixing bowl

• Large griddle, cast-iron skillet, or other large heavy-bottomed pan (for the burgers)

• A second large skillet with a lid (for the broccoli)

• Cutting board

• Paring knife

• Chef knife

• Large spatula for flipping burgers & fries

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Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375. 

Step 2

Line a small baking tray or a dinner plate (whichever will fit in your freezer) with parchment paper.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground turkey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1½ Tbsp ketchup, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard,1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, ⅓ cup plain bread crumbs, and egg together until just combined. (The mixture will be really wet, but that’s what makes a juicy burger!)

Step 4

Shape the mixture into 4 burger patties that are about ½ inch thick and a bit wider than the bun. Press a shallow divet into the center (this will help the burger cook evenly) and lay on the parchment-lined tray. Freeze patties for 20 minutes (to help the burgers hold their shape); meanwhile, spread the french fries evenly on a large baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.

Step 5

While the french fries are cooking and the patties are are in the freezer, prep the broccoli: wash the broccoli crowns, cut off the thick stem from each broccoli crown, and break the broccoli into florets. Peel and mince the garlic.

Step 6

After 20 minutes, remove the burgers from the freezer; flip the fries and bake for 10-15 more minutes until they are tender and just starting to brown. Once you have flipped the fries, move immediately to step 7.

Step 7

Heat a large griddle, cast-iron skillet, or other large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a bit of oil, just enough to coat the surface. Place the patties in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Set aside to rest for a few minutes while you cook the broccoli.

Step 8

Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a large saute pan with a lid until quite hot but not yet smoking. Add the broccoli florets and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green and toasted but not yet tender; add 1-2 additional teaspoons of oil as needed if the pan gets dry. 

Step 9

Add the garlic and saute 1-2 more minutes. Add the lemon juice and stir well, then cover; cook 1-2 more minutes until broccoli is just fork-tender. Serve immediately with the fries and the burgers, with the condiments and toppings of your choice.