Pepper-Jack Turkey Burgers

By marck

Best. Turkey burgers. Ever.

This is a recipe that came from a co-worker of my wife's. You'll find the uncooked patties to be a bit more "moist" than you may be used to working with, but in the end, it's all worth it. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 C ricotta cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1-1/4 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 Tbsp vegetale oil or canola oil
• 4 slices pepper-jack cheese
• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
• 4 hamburger buns

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a medium bowl, combine salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ricotta cheese and mustard until blended. Add meat and mix well. Divide meat into 4 portions. Lightly toss one portion from hand to hand to form a ball, then lightly flatten ball with fingertips into 1-inch thick patty. Repeat with remaining portions.

2a. TO COOK INDOORS: Heat a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron or stainless steel with an aluminum core) over medium heat until very hot, 4 to 5 minutes. Swirl oil in pan to coat bottom, then add burgers. Cook over medium heat without moving burgers until bottom side of each is dark brown and crusted, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn burgers over; continue to cook until bottom side is light brown but not yet crusted, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Reduce heat to low, position cover slightly ajar on pan to allow steam to escape, and continue to cook 8 to 10 minutes longer, flipping burgers if necessary to promote deep browning, until center is completely cooked, or an instant-read thermometer inserted from the side of the burger into the center registers 160 degrees. (Add cheese before final flip.) Remove from pan, add sliced avocado, and serve immediately.

2b. TO GRILL: Alternatively, grill burgers over medium-low fire (you can hold your hand about 5 inches above grill surface for 5 seconds) until dark spotty brown on bottom side, 7 to 9 minutes. Turn burgers over, top with cheese and continue grilling 7 to 9 minutes longer or until bottom side is dark spotty brown and center is completely cooked or instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees. Remove from grill, add sliced avocado, and serve immediately.