Spanakopita Turkey Burgers with Yogurt Sauce
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5
14 reviews
Excellent
Spanakopita Turkey Burgers with Yogurt Sauce
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These Spanakopita Turkey Burgers blend ground turkey with crumbled feta, chopped baby spinach, scallions, fresh dill, and lemon zest, delivering a savory and herbaceous flavor profile. The yogurt sauce accented with garlic, lemon, and dill complements the patties, bringing a tangy freshness. The mixture is combined gently to maintain texture, then baked for a moist result with Mediterranean flavors. Served in buns or pita, these burgers offer a balanced, satisfying option with a bright, creamy sauce.
Description
Spanakopita Turkey Burgers combine lean ground turkey with ingredients typical of Greek spanakopita: feta cheese, spinach, scallions, dill, and lemon zest and juice. This blend creates patties that are flavorful and moist, highlighting fresh herbs and tangy cheese. The mixture is gently combined and formed into burgers, then baked to an internal temperature ensuring safety and juiciness.
The accompanying yogurt sauce, made with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon, dill, and olive oil, adds a creamy and fresh element contrasting the savory burgers. These burgers can be assembled in standard buns, pita pockets, or even lettuce wraps for a lighter serving. Sliced tomato and cucumber add crunch and freshness.
Using baby spinach simplifies prep, but frozen spinach can be used if well-drained to prevent sogginess. The patties can also be made into meatballs and cooked slightly less to maintain tenderness, providing versatility. Leftover cooked burgers freeze well, and reheating after thorough defrosting preserves texture and flavor.
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Ingredients
For the Burgers Patties:
- 1 lb. ground turkey or chicken
- 4 oz. feta cheese crumbled
- 2 cups baby spinach chopped (see notes, packed leaves
- 3 scallions both white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons dill or 2 teaspoons dried. Optional: you can also add 1-2 tablespoons other herbs, like mint, parsley, and/or oregano, chopped, fresh
- ½ lemon zest and juice - about ½ teaspoon zest and 1 tablespoon juice - you'll use the other half in the yogurt sauce.
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs plain
- 2 egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the yogurt sauce:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic minced, small clove
- ½ lemon zest and juice - about ½ teaspoon zest and 1 tablespoon juice
- 2 tablespoons dill or two teaspoons dried. Optional: you can also add 1-2 tablespoons other herbs, like mint, parsley, and oregano, chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
To assemble the burgers:
- 6 burger buns or pita bread
- cucumber optional, for topping burgers, sliced
- tomato
- lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the burger mixture. In a large bowl, mix the 4 oz. feta cheese crumbled, 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves chopped, 3 scallions sliced, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, ½ lemon zest and juice, ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. After mixing these ingredients well, add the 1 lb. ground turkey and mix gently, preferably with your hands, until everything is well combined.
- Make the yogurt mixture. In a small bowl, add the ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 small clove garlic minced, ½ lemon zest and juice, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir together well and set aside to let the flavors marry. (Note: I like to mix this at the same time as the burger mixture so I can add the herbs and lemon zest/juice immediately after prepping to both bowls).
- Divide the burger mixture into six portions. I like to do this by pressing the mixture into the bottom of the bowl, then using a knife to cut 6 evenly sized portions into wedges. Then, form each portion into a burger patty with your hands and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the burgers at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes, or until they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Serve the burgers. Spread the 6 burger buns with the yogurt sauce and serve the spanakopita turkey burgers, along with any extra fixings such as sliced cucumbers, tomato, lettuce, etc.
Equipments used:
Notes
- Baby spinach is preferred for ease, but fresh or well-drained frozen spinach also work.
- Spanakopita turkey burgers can be served in pita, buns, or lettuce wraps, or even eaten with a fork.
- Transform the mixture into meatballs; bake about 15 minutes until cooked through.
- Alternative ground meats like chicken, pork, beef, or lamb can be substituted, adjusting oil and cooking times accordingly.
- Store-bought tzatziki sauce can replace the homemade yogurt sauce for convenience.
- Cooked turkey burgers freeze well; wrap tightly and thaw thoroughly before reheating to prevent dryness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure burgers reach 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1 burger, with bun and sauce
Calories
358kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
29g
(10%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
0.02g
(1%)
Cholesterol
114mg
(38%)
Sodium
927mg
(39%)
Potassium
444mg
(9%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
1202IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
215mg
(22%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 358 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 burger, with bun and sauce | |
| Calories | 358kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 114mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 927mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 444mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1202IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 215mg | 22% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
14 reviews
Excellent
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