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    Home » main course » poultry » Gobble Gobble: Jerk Turkey Burgers

    Gobble Gobble: Jerk Turkey Burgers

    Jun 13, 2012 · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Jerk Turkey Burger

    Now that the weather's properly warmed up, I seem to be on a bit of a burger binge.

    Every week, I've thrown some kind burger on the grill - regular ol' beef burgers, rosemary-scented lamb burgers, curried chicken burgers, and my newest favourite, these wonderful turkey burgers flavoured with fiery jerk sauce.

    Jerk Turkey Burgers

    The Inspiration for this Recipe

    The inspiration for this recipe came by way of a bottle of banana ketchup I brought home from my trip to Puerto Rico back in April.

    I didn't even know that ketchup could be made with anything but tomatoes, but as it turns out, you can use all sorts of other fruits.

    It was love at first sight. As soon as I tasted the sweet and spicy bright yellow sauce in a little shop in Old San Juan, I knew I needed to take some home to slather onto a jerk-flavoured burger.

    Jerk Turkey Burgers

    Nevermind that my suitcase was bursting at the seams, or that it was stupidly overpriced because we were in a touristy area. That ketchup was coming home with me.

    And I'm ever so glad I grabbed it, because the combination of jerk burgers and banana ketchup is exactly as glorious as I assumed it would be.

    Obviously, I assume that most of you don't have the option to stroll down to Old San Juan just to pick up a bottle of ketchup, but never fear - you should be able to pick some up at your local West Indian market, or you try making your own.

    (...or just skip it and use your favourite ketchup, or some mango chutney, or pretty much any other sweet-and-sour-and-spicy condiment you happen to favour.)

    Jerk Turkey Burgers

    How to Serve Jerk Turkey Burgers

    For best results, round out the meal with a fresh salad and a big pile of sweet potato fries.

    Admire all the pretty colours on your plate. Pretend they're an intentional homage to the bright pastels of Old San Juan, or perhaps some other brightly-coloured Caribbean island that your heart holds dear.

    Then crack open a beer, find a sunny spot to kick back, and eat your dinner while picturing waves crashing onto sandy beaches and palm trees swaying in the balmy breeze beneath a bright blue sky.

    Granted, it's not quite as relaxing as a West Indian vacation, but it's also a heck of a lot cheaper (and way less fattening). :)

    Jerk Turkey Burgers

    My Secret Ingredient for Juicy Burgers

    One last note... You'll probably notice I'm using oatmeal instead of the usual bread crumbs in this recipe.  I know this might seem a little weird, but I actually do this quite often with burgers and meatloaves.

    That's because the oatmeal soaks up all the juices, which makes for a juicier and more flavourful burger, and blends right into the burger without any noticeable oatmealy taste or texture.

    Plus, it also adds a healthy dose of heart-healthy fiber, which is always a plus in my books.

    That said, if you are feeling a little skeptical, feel free to substitute with an equal amount of panko or breadcrumbs. To each their own, after all!

    //

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    Jerk Turkey Burgers

    Jerk Turkey Burgers


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Isabelle Boucher (Crumb)
    • Total Time: 25 mins
    • Yield: 4 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These fiery hot burgers deliver all the deliciousness of Jamaican jerk chicken, but with a fraction of the effort. Serve with a big dollop of banana ketchup and sweet potato fries for an island-inspired twist on the usual burger and fries dinner.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 lb lean ground turkey
    • 2-3 tbsp Jamaican-style jerk paste
    • ¼ cup quick-cook oatmeal
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
    • ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
    • Pinch salt and lots of black pepper

    Toppings:

    • Banana ketchup
    • Leaf lettuce
    • Tomato slices
    • Avocado slices

    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Using hands, mix together until the seasonings are evenly distributed, then divide into four equal parts and shape into ¾" thick patties.
    2. Preheat a lightly oiled grill on High heat. Arrange the patties on the grill, and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side or no longer pink in the middle. (For those of you with a meat thermometer, you should be aiming for an internal temperature of 165F.)
    3. Serve immediately on toasted buns with toppings of your choice.
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 15 mins

    Did you make this recipe?

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    Comments

    1. Martina Wilson says

      December 17, 2020 at 10:59 am

      Can I leave out the onions because I am allergic? If so could I add some kind of peppers and what kind do you suggest?

      Reply
      • Isabelle Boucher says

        December 17, 2020 at 9:32 pm

        Yes, you can definitely leave out the onions! There's plenty of flavour from the jerk seasoning, so you won't miss them at all. If you'd like to add some peppers, I'd suggest adding some very finely chopped red pepper, or even a jalapeno if you want to add a little extra kick.

        Reply
    2. Geraldine Saucier says

      June 15, 2012 at 8:38 pm

      Thanks for the great post on Turkey Burgers. The ones I have grilled in the past were somewhat bland tasting. I can't wait to try yours with the Jerk Paste. Thanks for the great post and have a nice weekend:)

      Reply
    3. DB-The Foodie Stuntman says

      June 15, 2012 at 12:09 pm

      Congratulations on making the foodbuzz Top 9!

      Reply
    4. Stacey says

      June 15, 2012 at 9:34 am

      Congrats on the Buzz! We love all things jerk in South Florida :) can't wait to make these burgers. Thanks for the simple recipe!

      Reply
    5. TastefullyJulie says

      June 15, 2012 at 9:18 am

      Congrats on the top 9, these look delish! I didn't see any banana ketchup in Puerto Rico. :(

      So, tell the truth, how much mofongo did you eat there?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Isabelle says

        June 15, 2012 at 9:41 am

        Not gonna lie, I ate my fair share of mofongos... and mallorca sandwiches... and fried cheese with guava sauce... and deep-fried pork... and tostones... and taquitos.
        I'm shocked I didn't come home 20 lbs heavier, honestly. :)

        Reply
    6. mireia says

      June 15, 2012 at 4:33 am

      Healty and delicious!!! Thanks for sharing :)

      Reply
    7. Victoria of Flavors of the Sun says

      June 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm

      These must be just bursting with flavor. I love the idea of serving it with banana ketchup, another favorite condiment of mine.

      Reply
    8. Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says

      June 14, 2012 at 10:38 am

      Jerk turkey? Holy cow that sounds good. I dare not say I have never had a turkey burger but it could be true.

      Reply
      • Isabelle says

        June 15, 2012 at 9:47 am

        Turkey burgers are great! Ground turkey breast is pretty neutral in flavour, which means you can dress up your burgers with all sorts of different flavours.
        Add curry paste and cilantro for Indian burgers, chopped water chestnuts and lime zest and sweet chili sauce for Thai burgers, chopped fresh herbs and crumbled feta for Greek burgers... the only limit is your imagination (and your pantry)!
        (Plus turkey is leaner than beef, which means they're actually pretty good for you, too)

        Reply
    9. Kim Bee says

      June 13, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      I love this. I also use oatmeal in this kind of thing. Must be a Canuck thing. It's how my mom did it so I just kind of kept the tradition going. I also don't mind fresh bread pieces. Not hard but actually soft. So good.

      Reply

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    Hello! I'm Isabelle, and this is my blog. I'm a 40-something coffee-chugging, booty-shaking, bargain-shopping, trucker-swearing self-taught cook with a major addiction to vintage cookbooks. Come for the recipes, stay for the terrible puns! Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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