Switch up your Independence Day burger game.
Celebrate July Fourth with these eclectic turkey burgers. Hey, what’s more American than turkey — the centerpiece of Thanksgiving? But these burgers have a bit of an international flare — borrowing from Asian and Mexican cuisines. Yet, in keeping with a July Fourth theme, these babies are topped with good old-fashioned super-melty slices of American cheese for a flavor bomb of a burger!
For the Burgers
1 pound ground turkey (preferably dark meat)
4 scallions, finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, grated
1 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 teaspoons mustard (any kind you like)
4 hamburger buns (see note)
4 slices of American cheese (see note)
For the Slaw
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons neutral oil
1 clove garlic, grated
1 tablespoon honey
1 x-ounce bag angel hair cabbage
2-3 jalapeños, finely chopped (optional)
1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Spicy Mayo
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Sriracha to taste
Toppings
Butter lettuce
Sliced red onions
Sliced tomatoes
PREPARATION
Step 1: Make the Slaw. In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, oil, garlic and honey and whisk to combine. Add the cabbage, jalapeño and cilantro and mix with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2: Make the spicy mayo. In a medium bowl, whisk about 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. Then add sriracha to taste. Set aside.
Step 4: Make the Burgers. Place the ground turkey, scallions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, ketchup and mustard in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Form the meat into 8 thin patties. Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, on medium-high heat. Place four burgers in the pan, cook for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with the remaining burgers. (If you cook the burgers in two batches, you can keep them warm in a 225 oven.) The patties should be cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove the burgers from the pan, place a slice of American cheese on four burgers, and then top with another burger. The residual heat will melt the cheese.
Step 5: Assemble. Spread spicy mayo on each side of the buns. Place lettuce, tomato, and onion and stacked burgers on the bottom buns. Add some of the slaw. Top with the top bun. Serve any remaining slaw on the side.
Note: This recipe makes 8 patties. You can certainly serve them in single portions instead of stacking them. Just remember you will need 8 buns and 8 slices of American cheese. Also, no one likes to admit they like American cheese, but it is perfect here because of its impressive meltability.
