Turkey burgers r healthy but dry. I tried mixing in a egg white for moisture. Any other suggestions?

Chef Cliff
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13 Comments

skittle December 27, 2011
I actually add a drizzle of olive oil.
 
sugarandsalt December 27, 2011
Grated carrots and diced onions are a good addition. Not only do they add moisture but also extra flavor and textures.
 
loubaby December 27, 2011
The best way I have found and easiest is to throw mushrooms in the food processor (onions, peppers, cranberries, celery, carrots all add moisture as well) and process finely; mix those into your ground turkey...they really do stay moist. I believe I got this recipe from Cooks Illustrated...here is the recipe that I have made and works good:

1 1/2 lb ground Turkey--breast only is fine
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup food processed mushrooms (they say chopped)
1/2 cup Low Fat Cheddar Cheese, optional
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1 Tbl Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbl Dijon mustard
Just mix all together; flatten into 4-6 burgers and cook in skillet or grill to 160 degrees.
 
ATG117 December 27, 2011
Finely minced and sauteed onions, carrots, and celery will help. You shouls also add some chicken stock. The Oprah recipe mentioned is a good one. Ann Burrell of Food Network has a good one as well.
 
Marishka December 27, 2011
If you like hummus, try adding 1/2 cup hummus. You can use spicy hummus if you like!
 
Sadassa_Ulna December 26, 2011
I add the panade plus lots of ketchup, ground pepper, garlic powder and several dashes of Asian fish sauce (what I call nature's MSG). Please don't tell my children....
 
pierino December 26, 2011
Okay, I'll play the contrarian here. The biggest problem with turkey burgers is that they lack fat---some people consider that healthy. Fine, have it your way. Sure you can add texture with egg white and bread crumbs but you still end up with something that is unsatisfying and barely tastes like food. Same problem with "veggie" burgers.
 
Cannizzo December 26, 2011
I agree with the bread crumbs egg and stock or milk the liquid is soaked buy the dry ingredient and it keeps the meat moist also you could try dry porcini soaked in water and you could add the porcini water and the porcini with some bread crumbs or oatmeal
 
bigpan December 26, 2011
Call me crazy (NO, don't !) but I mix in cranberries with my turkey burgers. When heated they pop open and release juice and flavor.
 
nutcakes December 26, 2011
Oprah's favorite one contains grated apple (If you google the recipe will turn up.) It's served at Mar-a-Lago. Here:
http://www.oprah.com/food/Mar-a-Lago-Turkey-Burger

My mom makes hers with raw onions and peppers whirled in the FP and those contain a lot of moisture that goes in. She doesn't like to put egg or crumbs in.
 
Sam1148 December 26, 2011
Yes! when you add binder like bread crumbs. Moisten it with stock...but add 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin to each 1/2 cup of liquid. (the egg is also an optional addition to liquid/gelatin mix).

The gelatin replaces the moisture of the fat you'd get with a beef burger.
 
PFP December 26, 2011
Anonymous chef gives good advice. I also add an egg -- 1 egg per lb. of ground turkey -- along with the bread crumbs and water mix. It gives a turkey burger that is not grainy, is light in texture and unless it is wildly overcooked, is not dry.
 
Anonymous C. December 26, 2011
try a panada,

A paste or gruel of bread crumbs, toast, combined with milk, stock, or water and used for making soups, binding forcemeats, or thickening sauces.

it's pretty simple, just soak the bread in the wet ingredient, then add to your ground turkey. form your patty season and you are ready to go.
 
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