Fajita Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Ketchup
Finally, a heart-healthy burger packed with flavor! Fajita Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Ketchup are easy to make and loaded with protein. A great way to kick off summer without blowing your diet!
I’ve been bitten by the bug. The running bug. I’ve been trying to get into running for years now….not really digging it most of the time because, let’s face it, it can get boring. But throw a little competitive element in there and now I’m there. I ran my first race ever this past weekend, an 8K. And with no training…and barely any prep whatsoever…I did pretty well. I’m not going to share my time because it included a potty break. I’m probably the only runner during the race that had to stop to pee but, hey, I didn’t finish last. In fact, I finished right in the middle of the pack for my age group. 🙂 Which made me think…what if I had actually prepared for the race, like trained more than twice a week. And what if I actually hadn’t gone to the bathroom…which was completely out of the way I have to add. It’s those “what ifs” that drive me…that make me competitive with myself. And so….I run. I will run until I have another race where I can beat my time and not stop to visit the bathroom.
It’s the “what ifs” that challenge me to go against the grain in the kitchen too. Like what if I put Creme Brûlée inside Chocolate Eggs and what if I add dried cherries and feta to my Broccoli Salad. It usually turns out in my favor and then I share the new creations with all of you here…along with little stories about my like, like running my first race and earning my first medal (which has a surfboard on it…so cool!)
The story of the turkey burger goes like this….I’ve been making a Fajita Turkey Burger for years. I found the first rendition of this burger recipe in an old issue of Cooking Light magazine when I was starting to eat healthier for an upcoming vacation. Since that first burger I’ve been tweaking the recipe over and over again, making it a little better each time. Less of one thing, more of another and what if….I add oatmeal as a binder and to up the fiber? And so I did. And it was awesome. The best version of the Fajita Turkey Burger ever and so I’m sharing it here with you. I fill the burger with peppers, onions and spices to give it some punch. And then I top it with lettuce, onion, tomato and avocado…piled high on a multi-grain roll. I also whipped up a two ingredient smokey, spicy Chipotle Ketchup to top it off.
This is how you kick off summer….or run an 8K and wear your surfboard medal every single summer day.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Ketchup
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup chopped bell pepper, I use yellow and red
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup rolled oats, I use Bob's Red Mill
- 5 slices pepper jack cheese
- 5 multi-grain hamburger buns
- 1 avocado, diced
- 5 slices tomato
- sliced red onion
- lettuce
- For the ketchup:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chilis in adobo sauce., I add a chili to the bowl too for spice but remove it before serving.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the turkey, bell pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne, worcestershire, pepper, salt and oats until well blended. Form the mixture into five equal sized burger patties. Chill for 30 minutes to allow the patties to firm up...they will be come a little mushy and soft from handling.
- Cook the burgers on a gas grill over medium heat for approximately 4-5 minutes and then flip. Cook for an additional 4 minutes or until done. Turn the grill over and top the burgers with cheese. Close the grill and allow the cheese to melt for a couple minutes.
- In a small bowl, stir the ketchup with the adobo sauce and chili. (This can be made up to 3 days in advance. Remove the chili before serving.)
- Transfer the burgers to the rolls and top with avocado, lettuce, onion, tomato and ketchup. Serve immediately.
6 Comments on “Fajita Turkey Burgers with Chipotle Ketchup”
Dang, I wish running came naturally to me.
These burgers look delicious! I love a burger with lots and lots of toppings – I could totally go for one of these!
I WAS JUST talking about making turkey fajitas!!! YUM! Now I REALLY want some!
This burger does not look healthy–it looks just downright mouthwatering good. I want it tonight!
This might be great on the grill for the upcoming holiday weekend! Added heat always makes for a better burger….and helps in boosting the metabolism!! Great race! Helps you come from a family where your siblings are very competitive and driven….pushing each other to be better.
First of all.. chipotle catsup? YUM! I generally don’t like ground chicken or turkey but this looks amazing.
I love the fusion of flavors in this recipe. I wish I loved to run but I really hate it. My brain will not shut off and I end up cutting each step.