In January, I find myself torn, like most Americans, between heavy, comfort food and more figure-friendly fare.  That being said, I’m happy to report I’ve found the perfect solution to mid-January cravings: Turkey Burgers (with feta).

We’ve been eating a lot of these lately at our house, and they’re the perfect balance of comfort (burger) and health (turkey).  They also come together quickly and are perfect with a side of sweet potato fries.*

Turkey Burgers with Basil Mayo

Serves 4

My recipe is based on a Cooking Light recipe that I modified to meet my husband’s food preferences (He’s kind of a picky eater.).  

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey breast

1-2 tbsp. Italian Seasonings

salt

pepper

1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

1/4 c. light mayo

2 tsp. chopped fresh basil

1 garlic clove minced

Spray a grill pan with non-stick spray and heat it to medium-high.

In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, italian seasoning, feta, salt and pepper. Mix with your hands until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Then, score the meat into four sections with your hands. Take one quadrant and shape it into a patty. Continue until you have four patties. (I only made two.)

When the pan is hot, place the burgers on the grill. Turn the burger when you see white meat (cooked) starting to come up the sides of the patty (When meat is cooked, it will pull away from the grill, making it easier to flip.) Now, cook the other side.

When both sides are browned and the sides of the patties are almost all white. Turn the heat to medium-low and tent a piece of aluminum foil over the burgers. This will keep the heat in and help your burgers cook evenly. Check the burgers periodically, flipping them as needed, to ensure they’re cooked evenly and all the way through.  

Meanwhile, place the mayo in a small bowl. Add the minced garlic and chopped basil. Stir together with a whisk. Add salt to taste. Spread the finished mayo on both buns. Add your turkey burger and any other veggies of your choosing.

*My grocery store carries pre-cut sweet potato fries in the frozen food section. They’re easy to make and delicious. I’d recommend looking for them at your store.