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Southwest turkey burger stacked with cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and lettuce on a whole-grain bun

Zesty Southwest Turkey Burger Deluxe

A flavorful, juicy Southwest-style turkey burger packed with smoky spices, creamy guacamole, and melted pepper-jack cheese — perfect for grilling season or quick dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Southwestern
Servings 4 burgers
Calories 355 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Grater
  • Skillet or Grill
  • Spatula
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
  • ¼ cup grated zucchini moisture squeezed out
  • 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
  • 1 jalapeño minced, seeded if mild heat desired
  • 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp whole milk Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp olive oil for brushing

Toppings and Assembly

  • 4 pepper-jack cheese slices
  • 4 whole-grain burger buns toasted
  • ½ cup prepared guacamole
  • ¼ cup pico de gallo
  • shredded lettuce for layering

Instructions
 

  • Bloom cumin, paprika, and chili powder in 1 tsp hot olive oil; cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, cooled spice oil, grated zucchini, red onion, jalapeño, chipotle, Greek yogurt, salt, pepper, and panko. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Form into 4 equal patties, ½-inch thick, making a slight indent in the center of each. Chill patties for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high (about 425°F). Brush patties lightly with olive oil.
  • Grill or cook patties for 4 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Add cheese slices, cover, and cook 1 minute more until melted and patties reach 165°F.
  • Remove from heat and let patties rest 2 minutes before assembling.
  • Assemble burgers: Place lettuce on bun bottoms, top with burger, spread guacamole, spoon over pico de gallo, and cover with bun tops. Serve immediately.

Notes

To ensure juicy burgers, don't overmix the turkey. The grated zucchini and Greek yogurt help retain moisture. Toasting the buns prevents sogginess from juicy toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 27gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 760mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 15mg
Keyword Easy Dinner, Healthy Burger, Southwest Burger, Turkey Burger
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