Description
These Greek Turkey Burger Bowls with Tzatziki are a flavorful and healthy meal combining juicy ground turkey patties seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices, served atop a vibrant salad of romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese, finished with creamy tzatziki sauce and a zesty red wine vinaigrette. Perfect for a light, nutritious lunch or dinner, this recipe offers a fresh take on the classic burger bowl with easy stovetop cooking and quick preparation.
Ingredients
Turkey Burger Patties
- 1 pound ground turkey (at least 90% lean)
- ½ cup finely chopped jarred roasted red pepper (patted dry)
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 garlic cloves (minced or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill (finely chopped, optional or 1 teaspoon dried)
- ¼ cup finely chopped jarred pepperoncini peppers (patted dry, optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
- Oil spray (for cooking)
Salad and Garnishes
- 8 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups cucumber (chopped)
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup sliced kalamata olives
- ½ to 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup red wine vinaigrette (or dressing of choice)
- ½ cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: fresh herbs (parsley or dill), lemon wedges, pita chips or triangles
Instructions
- Make the Turkey Burgers: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, roasted red pepper, crumbled feta, minced garlic, dried oregano, diced red onion, fresh parsley, and optional dill and pepperoncini if using. Season the mixture with freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly using clean hands or a rubber spatula until well combined.
- Shape the Patties: Divide the meat mixture into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a large patty and place them on a nonstick surface like wax paper or parchment paper. Sprinkle kosher salt over the top of each patty. If grilling, mist both the burgers and grill with oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Burgers: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and coat it lightly with oil spray. Place the patties in the pan and cook for approximately 6 minutes on one side. Flip the burgers carefully, season the second side with kosher salt, and cook for another 6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the burgers are no longer pink inside. The burgers should have nice caramelized sear marks.
- Prepare the Salad Bowls: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine or mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the salad with red wine vinaigrette and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Assemble and Serve: Divide the salad mixture evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with a warm turkey burger and add a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce on top. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill and serve with optional lemon wedges and pita chips or triangles on the side.
Notes
- For grilling, lightly mist both the burgers and grill with oil spray to prevent sticking and achieve better char marks.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried if fresh is unavailable, but fresh herbs provide better flavor.
- Store leftovers separately to keep burger patties juicy and salad crisp.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade using Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill.
- Adjust salt levels to taste, especially because feta and olives add saltiness.
- Optionally serve with warm pita chips or toasted pita triangles for added crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
