Tis the season when yes, even I venture into the deep waters of Putting My Bathing Suit On. Which pretty much means I put it on and head for the deep water where I am visible from the neck up, and the rest of me is a vague watery blur…or so I hope, anyway! And one of the things that keeps me bathing suit pretty-much-ready is the fact that every few summer burgers or so, I trade in my usual beloved cheeseburger for this slim and trim turkey lettuce burger. I’m talking ground turkey spiced up with sea salt and fresh ground pepper and a little cumin, grilled until it has a nice char on it, anointed with all the fixings and served not on a bun but between two pieces of crunchy lettuce. Let’s make it!
[clickToTweet tweet=”Skip the bun but keep the flavor with this recipe for juicy and delicious turkey lettuce burgers! ” quote=”Skip the bun but keep the flavor with this recipe for juicy and delicious turkey lettuce burgers! “]You start, obviously, with a nice handful of ground turkey, which I’m finding it easier and easier to find near the chicken in my supermarket. Turkey: Not Just For Thanksgiving Anymore. Season it up with some sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and if you want a little more zing, add some poultry seasoning, or cumin, or oregano. Turkey is a little tamer than ground beef, flavor-wise, so I go for the zing.
Now grill them up for 3-4 minutes per side on your grill or in a frying pan. Lately I am all about my electric griddle for burgers…it gives it a nice little crunchy crust on the outside. Unlike beef burgers, you want to cook turkey burgers all the way through. If you want some cheese on your burger, lay it over the burger during the last minute and cover the grill or the pan. The cheese will melt into all the nooks and crannies and mmmmmmmmm, cheeeeeeeeeese.
Now pile on whatever fixings you like. I like pickle, ketchup and mayo, myself. The Southern husband has been known to go for a little Sriracha on his. You be you, fixings-wise. Then, instead of the bun, tear off a few sturdy lettuce leaves and fold them in half or thirds. You know, burger-sized. Iceberg and romaine lettuce work best. Pop that turkey burger on your lettuce bun and dig in. Loads of burger taste, in bathing suit-friendly form!
So after all that, I feel like I need to share a picture of myself decked out in my bathing suit. Here goes..
I know, neither recent or fair. Here goes again…
….and even though many people over the early years of the blog THOUGHT that was me, it was actually the beautiful Southern daughter. Fun fact: that was my blog header in the early early early days when I was posting more about photography and less about food. Which is why the name of the blog is now Framed Cooks, because by the time I realized that was actually a food blogger and not a photography blogger the word “Framed” was already entrenched. I did eventually change the header to something that looks more like it belongs with a cooking website, but I still miss this picture. And yes, also stalling before showing me at my actual age in my actual current bathing suit…
That’s as brave as I get! Meantime…turkey lettuce burgers. YUM.
Turkey Lettuce Burgers
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop or Grill
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning and/or cumin
- 2 slices American cheese (optional)
- 4 large lettuce leaves (iceberg or romaine work best)
- Your favorite fixings!
Instructions
- Heat grill, griddle or frying pan to high. If you are using a frying pan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan.
- Season the turkey meat, and then form into two patties. Cook for 3-4 minutes a side until fully cooked through. If you are adding cheese, put the cheese on the burgers during the last minute of cooking and cover the grill or pan.
- Fold the lettuce leaves into halves or thirds so they fit the burger. Place each burger on the lettuce, add your favorite fixings, top with the other piece of lettuce and serve!
Kylie says
Great way to not take in the extra carbs, thanks for the share.
My pleasure! Happy turkey lettuce burger!
Tally erp 9 says
Ohhhhh this sounds so delicious!
grace says
your burger is pure and simple and i love it! while i love a bun to soak up juices and sauces, a lettuce wrap is a great alternative!
I try and alternate between the bun and the lettuce – the best of both worlds! :)
Mir says
I’m always up for making turkey burgers, but my husband resists. I might win him over with your version, though. Using poultry seasoning is awesome!
Poultry seasoning is magical, I think! :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
The perfect burger for bathing suit season Kate! I love it without the bun and just in the lettuce! I NEED to eat all my burgers like this! Bravo for donning the bathing suit on the blog!
Why thank you! I’m extra brave when I am 75% covered up by the pool! :) :)
GiGi Eats says
GIRL YES!! Burgers wrapped in lettuce are just the best – you can taste sooooo much more flavor from the meat than if there were a thick BUN on it!
RIGHT???? Give me all that turkey flavor! :)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
EEkk! Bathing suit season… I think most of us dread it! Oh to turn back the clocks and be young again!! I actually remember that picture of your daughter flying through the air over the pool! Such a fun picture, and you guys look a lot alike, so I can see why people thought that was you! Anyways, I never eat burger buns… okay I lie. I’ll eat one every blue moon, but pretty rarely. I’m all about the fixings and the actual burger itself, so this turkey lettuce burger is absolutely PERFECT for me! Without the bun I can eat at least 3 of these. :) Cheers, friend! xo
P.s. the picture of you in the pool is fabulous! <3
I am so much about the fixings! And with lettuce burgers, you get to use one of the fixings as a bun so life is pretty much perfect. Happy almost weekend, my friend!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This lettuce burger sounds like the perfect way to stay in shape for the summer! Turkey burgers are a favorite, so I will have to try this version!
Turkey burgers are the best, right?
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
I really love the crunch of a burger wrapped in lettuce – so fresh for summer I think!
These turkey burgers look perfect for any night!
Beautiful color bathing suit on you – great with your hair color!!!
Aw, thanks Robyn! I think that bathing suit is 15 years old – it’s so great when you find one that you feel good in. And yes, yay for the double crunch of burgers in lettuce! :)
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
I almost always use ground turkey instead of beef so these burgers are just my style! I love the lettuce wrap too for summer days and bathing suit season :) These will be making an appearance soon! (P.S. Go you for posting a bathing suit picture! You look fabulous!)
Ha! I figure now that I’ve done the bathing suit picture thing, I can do anything! :)