This will be a bit embarrassing. I’ve made this recipe four times since December, a pretty strong endorsement as I tend to follow the “cook and move on” mode. Last week I wanted to make it again, so I did a quick search on the blog but came up empty-handed. Puzzled, I went to the index page, and it wasn’t there either. I concluded I failed to add it to the index page and also did not tag it with the appropriate search words. But then a troubling thought hit me: what if… what if… I simply forgot to blog about it? Could it be possible? Only one way to find out. I went to my computer and almost fell off my chair: the pictures were all there, but straight from the camera, never optimized for publication! Yours truly is officially losing it, but she’s not alone: John from The Bartolini Kitchens recently had the exact same thing happen to him. We are now virtual siblings, and that makes me happy. So, before I forget everything about ground turkey, mushrooms, and burgers, allow me to share a great recipe that is now part of our regular rotation.
TURKEY PORTOBELLO BURGER
(slightly modified from FoodTV Network)
1 large Portobello mushroom cap
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped shallot
3 tablespoons lightly packed fresh parsley
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
zest and juice of 1/2 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
cheese slices (optional)
Use a spoon to scrape out the gills from the underside of the mushroom cap. Cut the cap into 1-inch pieces and transfer to a food processor. Add the shallot and parsley and pulse until chopped.
Transfer the mushroom mixture to a large bowl. Add the turkey, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, lime zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; gently mix with your hands until just combined. Squeeze lime juice all over and mix very gently. Divide into 4 balls, then lightly press into 1-inch-thick patties. Put on a large plate, cover and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
Heat a grill to medium. Brush the grates with olive oil. Grill the patties, undisturbed, until marked on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Give the patties a quarter turn and cook until marked again, 4 to 5 more minutes. Flip the patties and grill until cooked through, 6 to 7 more minutes; and if you’d like top each with 2 slices cheese during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
ENJOY!
to print the recipe, click here
Comments: As everybody knows, the problem with turkey burgers is that they can be too bland and dry. Who wants that, right? You can deal with the issue in many ways, in fact I have several recipes in the blog with a juicy outcome. But it’s hard to resist a recipe with the title “Perfect Turkey Burger” although I’m usually skeptical of this type of hype. What I love about this recipe is the depth of flavor given by the Portobello mushroom. My only modification was to add some zest and lime juice because the citric flavor goes well with the burger. Plus, it gives the meat just a little more moisture. I have made it without resting the patties in the fridge – they are a tad fragile, but if you are gentle, it works. I imagine you could make them early in the morning and leave in the fridge the whole day, if that suits your schedule.
Turkey burgers are on our menu at least twice a month, and although I am always looking for different takes on it, it’s been hard to move away from this recipe. I say why change a winning team?
ONE YEAR AGO: Raspberry Ricotta Cake
TWO YEARS AGO: In My Kitchen, April 2014
THREE YEARS AGO: Whole-Wheat Pasta with Lemony Tomatoes and Spinach
FOUR YEARS AGO: Blood Orange Duck: A work in progress
FIVE YEARS AGO: Grilled Mahi-mahi with citrus marinade
SIX YEARS AGO: Memories of Pastéis (and my Dad)
Bewitching Kitchen 
If I ever make turkey burgers for my boys I add chopped apple and maple syrup to the turkey mince and they love them 🙂
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Elaine, I think I’m becoming really a bit forgetful (it is early in the morning and the caffeine has not kicked in yet), but I think one of my recipes uses grated apples. No, I take it back, that was for a turkey meatloaf, but it’s basically the same entity in bigger shape 😉 I know that one of my recipes uses ginger and water chestnuts, it was great too.
but now I want to do as you and combine apples and maple – definitely a winning match!
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Well, the boys enjoyed it and the burgers always smelt good!
All of your concoctions sound good though; if memory serves, turkey is a very mild flavour so perfect as a base for building on?
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definitely, super mild… I often use ground chicken in stir fries for my lunches, but for some reason when I make burgers or meatloaves, I go for turkey
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What a great time to click on and receive the wisdom of two wonderful cooks! Since I do use turkey mince quite often shall try both ways. Many of the older Estonian cooks here swear by raw grated beetroot for all kinds of meat patties both for flavour and moistness: can see quite a few combinations and permutations there tho’ apple is a definite drawcard !!!
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grated beets? Wow, I like that idea A LOT… imagine the color and the slightly sweet taste? love it… gotta make that happen soon
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Isn’t it cool when you discover that you haven’t posted one of your favorite recipes, so you “have to” make it again! These look delicious! I have never made turkey burgers even though I love them. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Indeed… “make it for the blog” – happens a lot around here! 😉
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Oh the mushroom is in the pattie?? Now that will be juicy! Also…I’ve miss your blog. I’ve been under a rock since baby and now finally dissertation writing to graduate next month (!!!!!). Going to catch up now and bookmark some recipes!!
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Miss you! But I know you are super busy and for all the wonderful reasons! I wish you all the best in your graduation…. so exciting!
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I love that you included parsley in the patties. I really think it’s an underused herb and it adds such freshness! Your main photo just made me hungry!!!
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totally agree with you – I love parsley and use it all the time. Actually, your comment made me think of tabouli, which I adore! Must make it soon “for the blog” 😉
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Such a refreshing salad!
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What are we to do, Sally? I was so sure that I’d posted that recipe and wasted a good deal of time trying to find it on the blog. I kept looking, despite all evidence to the contrary, because “I just knew” it was there. ARGH
Sure am glad that you found and posted this recipe. I’m not much if a turkey burger person but this one you’ve created sounds delicious. This could be the one to change my ways. Warn the turkeys! 🙂
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Happy ending for us both as far as finding that elusive recipe… 😉
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On the menu for next week. We have gotten in the habit of having our burgers on toasted English Muffins — a little less bready and really lets the patty be the star. Can hardly wait for this one. And by the way, what a nice format when you print a recipe — no pictures, color, ads, straight list of ingredients followed by instructions — simply perfect.
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SO glad you appreciate the format! I have a pet peeve with ads and extra stuff, so I do my best to keep the site as clean and ad-free as possible. It’s nice when someone notices and gives me feedback… made my day!
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Made them. LOVED them! And for those that care – this is a turkey burger that can stand up to a glass of red wine. Remaimg two patties are in the freezer and I don’t think they’ll be there very long
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AWESOME! So glad you enjoyed them, and you are absolutely right, they go perfectly with a glass of wine, I think the Portobello does it… 😉 Thank you so much for leaving feedback!
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