Moroccan Spiced Turkey Burgers
These Moroccan-spiced turkey burgers are a flavorful and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. The combination of cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper gives them a unique and exotic flavor, while the ground turkey keeps them lean and juicy. Serve them on lettuce wraps or paleo-friendly buns, if desired.
The inspiration for these turkey burgers came to me on a recent trip to Morocco. I was exploring the souks of Marrakech when I came across a street vendor selling grilled meats. The smell of the spices was intoxicating, and I couldn't resist trying a few of the kebabs. I was particularly impressed by the kefta, a type of ground meat kebab that is seasoned with a blend of cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. I knew I had to recreate this dish at home, but I wanted to make it a bit healthier by using ground turkey instead of beef. The result is these Moroccan-spiced turkey burgers, which are just as flavorful and juicy as the kebabs I had in Marrakech, but with a fraction of the fat.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, onion, garlic, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts and form into burger patties.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the turkey burgers for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
- Serve the burgers on lettuce wraps or paleo-friendly buns, if desired.
Why It Works
- The combination of cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper gives these burgers a unique and exotic flavor.
- The ground turkey keeps the burgers lean and juicy.
- Cooking the burgers over medium heat allows them to cook through without drying out.