Rio Grande Turkey Burger Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F to keep the first batch of burgers warm.
• For the burgers: Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the onions, season with salt and bring to a medium-high heat. Cook the onions until they are soft and very aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, soy sauce, sambal oelek, ginger, water chestnuts, cilantro and the cooked onions and garlic. (Reserve the onion pan to cook the burgers in later.) Add one-quarter to one-half cup water; this will help the burgers stay nice and moist. Using your hands, squish everything together until they are really well combined.
• Make and cook a little tester patty to be sure that the turkey is really well seasoned. Re-season if needed. If the burger is missing salt add more soy or just give a little sprinkey dink of salt.
• When the burger mix is seasoned appropriately, form the mix into 4 equal size patties.
• Coat the saute pan with new olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Place the burgers in the pan. Be sure not to crowd the pan, if you need to work in batches go ahead! Cook the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Place the cheese, if using, on the burger and cook for 1 more minute.
• Toast the buns in a broiler or toaster. Schmear each side of the bun lightly with the sambaal mayo. Put a burger on each of the bottom buns and top each burger with tomato, onion and lettuce. Close up each burger, give each one a little squish and eat em' up!

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct heat cooking method according to manufacturer's directions.
• In bowl, combine turkey, oats, egg, dried onion, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper. Divide turkey mixture in half. On 2 pieces (10 x 11 each) of wax paper, shape each half of turkey mixture into 6 inch diameter circles. Arrange half of green chili strips in spoke pattern over 1 circle of turkey mixture. Top with cheese slices leaving a 1/2 inch border around outside edges. Lay remaining green chili strips in spoke pattern over cheese. Carefully place remaining patty on top of chili strips. Remove wax paper. Press turkey layers together to seal.
• Lightly grease grill rack. Invert turkey burger onto grill rack; remove wax paper. Grill 8 minutes per side or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached on meat thermometer. To serve, cut burger into quarters. Serve with sour cream and salsa if desired.