Aaaaaaand I'm back.
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For the past couple of weeks, Jorge and I have been adventuring around Europe, including stops in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. A big thanks to all who provided recommendations! I'm not going to dive into our trip just yet, because I haven't processed all the photos; however, you can find some foodie highlights on Instagram.
Now that we're back, I'm in full 4th of July mode. This year, I will be grilling up a batch of Basil Turkey Burgers inspired by one of my favorites from Burger Lounge. Flavored with tons of fresh basil, these burgers are laced with two secret ingredients: fish sauce and sugar. Fish sauce provides some much-needed umami without imparting a fishy flavor. The sugar balances out the fish sauce. Stacked up with lettuce, tomato, mayo and ketchup, the finished burger packs a pleasant basil punch followed by an incredibly satisfying savory finish. Continue reading for the turkey burger recipe plus 9 other recipes for 4th of July!
I do love a good cheeseburger, but from time-to-time I like to opt for a healthier alternative. Turkey burgers can often be such a disappointment, but the additions of fish sauce and basil here really punch up flavors, making this burger just as tasty and juicy as its beefy counterpart.
In this recipe, I'm using freshly ground turkey thigh instead of the pre-packed ground turkey typically found at the grocery store. Store-bought ground turkey is usually made with turkey breast which is not as fatty or flavorful as turkey thigh. You can certainly use store-bought ground turkey here (I've done it, and it's still tasty), and ground chicken also works well. But once again, freshly ground chicken thigh will be tastier than ground breast meat.
Fresh basil is a must here. Dried just won't do. This recipe is a perfect use up for any backyard or balcony basil that's getting out of hand.
In other news, I recently surpassed some fun milestones on Pinterest and Facebook. My Pinterest posse is now over 1,000 strong, and Facebook just hit 5,000!! Yay!! A big thanks to everyone involved. Love you guys!!
Basil Turkey Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground turkey (preferably freshly ground turkey thigh with some fat)
- ¼ cup (+ 2 tablespoons) finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for brushing
- Toasted buns, for serving
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mayonnaise
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl, add ground turkey, basil, fish sauce, sugar and several turns of freshly ground black pepper. Season with 2 – 3 pinches of salt. Using your hands or a set of forks, gently mix the meat until everything is evenly incorporated. Do not overmix here as that will result in tough burgers. If you are unsure how much salt to add, fry up a tiny taste burger to check the seasoning. Add more salt if needed. Form the turkey meat mixture into 4 patties (½ pound each).
- Preheat a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat. Brush the burgers lightly with vegetable oil. Also brush the grill grates with vegetable to keep the patties from sticking. Grill the patties directly over the heat for about 4 minutes a side or until cooked through. Let rest for a few minutes before building the burger. I like to cook the burgers to 155°F, and the temp goes up to 160°F as they rest.
- Stack up the burger as follows: bottom bun, mayo, burger patty, tomato slice, lettuce, ketchup, top bun. Enjoy immediately!
Round out your 4th of July menu with these recipes on Kitchen Konfidence:
Summer Crush Cocktail
Watermelon Ginger Spritzer
Charred Onion and Bacon Dip
Shrimp Cocktail with Tomato Horseradish Cocktail Sauce
Grilled Kale Caesar
Watermelon and Tomato Wedge Salad
St. Germain Ice Cream Float
Blueberry Ice Cream with Oat Crumble Topping
Dark Chocolate Brownies
I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I just found your blog through The Culture Trip. Congratulations on being named on its list of most talented food bloggers! I'd love to try these burgers and will have to find fish sauce somewhere. My grocer doesn't carry it.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Andrea!! Any Asian grocery store will have fish sauce. You can also find it on Amazon. Enjoy and have a Happy 4th!
Millie l Add A Little says
This sounds delicious Brandon - love the addition of fragrant basil! Must give a lovely kick!
Brandon Matzek says
Yeah, you can really taste the basil here. Thanks Millie!!
She Rocks Fitness says
Drooling...I LOVE burgers and these look delicious along with everything else of course! Happy to hear you are back and hope you had a wonderful trip...Happy 4th!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks :)!! We had such a fun time. Hope you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend!
Sippitysup says
I love the sugar and fish sauce. I get it too. The fish sauce adds complex saltiness and the blast of umami. But sometimes even with fish sauce the flavor can be flat. When you add the unexpected hit of sugar the flavors just explode. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Well said! Yeah those two simple ingredients help to take these burgers to the next level.
fabiola@notjustbaked says
Fresh herbs in turkey burgers make all the difference! These looks great.
Brandon Matzek says
They really do! Thanks Fabiola.
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
I love a good turkey burger! Loving the idea of adding basil in there!! Looks so yum 🙂 Pinning!
Megan Keno {Country Cleaver} says
Now THAT'S a burger!
Catherine says
My goodness what a gorgeous burger! This alongside those watermelon ginger spritzers and what more do you need?! This sounds fabulous. Have a wonderful day, Catherine
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Woah, these look so GOOD!! Definitely my kind of burger and I agree that using the dark meat is best for both flavor and texture. And now I'd like to chomp into one of those 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Love your adventuring in Europe. So cool and fresh basil does add so much 🙂
m says
A fantastic burger! And...yes, I have some out of control basil in a pot ready to go!
Christina @ Christina's Cucinac says
I'm not a burger girl, no matter what the meat is, it just isn't usually appealing to me, but I must say, your first picture makes want to try it! Wow! What a gorgeous shot!
Congrats on your milestones, too! Shows you're doing somthing right! 😉
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
What beautiful photos of a beautiful burger! Well done!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
Basil just makes everything taste amazing. I can't wait to see your European pictures! I've never been to that part of Europe, so I'll live vicariously through you!
Anita says
Just beautiful! Love the recipe too - great alternative from regular burgers!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Wow fish sauce and sugar, I can dig that. I've always put particular sweet and spicy ingredients in my pasta sauce. You'd never think they would go in there but it totally adds great subtle flavor. I assume this is the same!