Sometimes the best way to enjoy a ridiculously loaded burger is to cut the calories and cut the fat by swapping out the ground beef for ground turkey… or ground chicken for that matter. My husband is generally pretty skeptical when I say I’m going to make turkey burgers. He automatically connects them to some flavorless slab of meat you’d get from a diner.
At this point, it still amazes me when he questions my meal ideas or flavor combinations. Like, really? He always loves my dinners and boasts about how spoiled he is, but then I tell him, “hey, I’m thinking about doing so and so” and he gets a look on his face and hems and ha’s. And I’m like “arrrggghhhh man!” I mean, I can’t even remember the last dinner that was a total failure. I fully admit, every once in a very very extra rare blue moon, I botch something.
But usually, it’s not flavor combos, it’s screwing up cook times or some other randomness. Actually, nine times out of ten, my screws up are underestimating bone-in chicken cook times, I’ll think it must be done cooking, and it’s still rare in the middle… soooo frustrating! So yes, even food bloggers screw up!
But usually, it’s not flavor combos, it’s screwing up cook times or some other randomness. Actually, nine times out of ten, my screws up are underestimating bone-in chicken cook times, I’ll think it must be done cooking, and it’s still rare in the middle… soooo frustrating! So yes, even food bloggers screw up!
But, I will pronounce myself the Queen of Burgers. You will not find a restaurant or fast food chain that serves burgers anywhere close to what I make at home. And I cook a large variety of different types of burgers. I’ve mentioned how my son is a burger snob… a snob because he loves burgers so much that he rates the best burgers you can get (Five Guys tops the list, I believe… after mine of course!).
So, when I put turkey burgers up on the weekly menu, my husband made that face, and I rolled my eyes. Because, even though these are turkey burgers, I knew that he’d love them. And sure enough, these babies are so packed with flavor, it’s hard not to love them.
Because these are turkey burgers, I use panko breadcrumbs just to help keep the burger together. I find ground turkey and ground chicken to be a bit wetter than ground beef… mushier too. So, the panko helps sop up some of that moisture while also helping the burger hold it’s shape.
Have you ever topped your burger with fries? If not, you’re missing out! Definitely when you load up your burger with seasoned fries. I prefer Arby’s brand seasoned fries. They have the perfect spice to compliment the Cajun seasoning. Then, to top it all off, ranch dressing flavored with Tabasco seasoning. OMG, those two flavors go together so well, I can’t believe I haven’t been combining them for years! And, if you want to cut calories a bit further, swap out the ranch dressing for nonfat ranch… you lose that nonfat flavoring with the Tabasco while still retaining the good ranch flavors!
Another super simple burger recipe that is loaded with flavor, and it comes together in 20 minutes! What can be better??
Oh, and right before you dig in, smash the burger down! Enjoy!
Cajun Turkey Cheeseburgers topped with Seasoned Curly Fries
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
- Category: Burgers, American
- Cuisine: Dinner
Ingredients
1½ lbs ground turkey
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
1 TB Cajun seasoning
6 oz Gouda cheese, thinly sliced
1 TB Tabasco sauce
½ cup ranch dressing
11 oz seasoned curly fries (I prefer Arby’s brand), cooked according to the package
4 brioche buns
nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
In a medium bowl, mix together the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs, and Cajun seasoning. Form the meat into four equal patties. In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and Tabasco sauce, adjusting the Tabasco sauce to taste, if desired.
Heat a large pan over medium heat. Lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the burgers 5 to 6 minutes, covering the pan for 3 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. Add the Gouda to the burgers and cover. Cook an additional 3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the turkey has cooked through. Remove the burgers from the pan. If desired, toast the brioche buns in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, cut side down. Place the burgers on the bottom bun and top with curly fries. Drizzle over the ranch dressing and top with the top bun. Smash down, if desired. Eat! Enjoy!
Keywords: turkey burger, Cajun turkey burger, kickin’ Cajun turkey burger, spicy turkey burger, kickin’ Cajun burger, Cajun burger, burger with ranch dressing
