I’m always looking for meals that are healthy, light and quick so I can whip up a good meal after a busy day at work (or that make for a healthy lunch).  These skinny turkey burgers on bagel thins is one of those recipes.

Of course, Ben isn’t in school yet (I mean, I kind of count daycare as school because they teach him and he is learning), but I’m sure I’ll blink and he’ll be starting first grade!  And when that time comes, this will remain one of my go-to meals for the whole family to enjoy.  It’s only four simple steps and tastes like it took way longer than it actually does.

What are some of the best turkey burger recipes?

We love turkey burgers in our house, so I love finding new ways to mix things up a bit.  Lately, we’ve been making my sour cream and chive turkey burgers on the regular and will sometimes switch it up to Mexican turkey burgers, which are a fave of Nicks.

I know I’ve said it before, but I am on a constant battle to be eating healthier and that’s always easiest when the meal doesn’t taste healthy.  You know what I mean?

Sometimes you have a salad and it really tastes like a salad; like you’re just eating a bowl of plain kale.  Healthy meals don’t have to be that way.

How to make juicy turkey burgers that aren’t dry

The trick to making sure turkey burgers are super tasty is making sure they are moist enough.  I know, ew, no one likes the word moist, but it really is the best descriptor here!  The zucchini in the recipe is the secret.  When the burgers is moist and juicy, you can add all sorts of toppings to add a punch of flavor. You want to have enough moisture to balance out the lean ground turkey meat.

Also in this recipe are diced green fire roasted chiles. They add a nice mild heat and wonderful flavor to the turkey burgers!

Do yourself a favor and make a skinny turkey burger (I always make a double batch so we can have them for a healthy lunch or dinner, all ready to go!)  You can grill the burger, pan fry it or eve bake it and you won’t be disappointed.  To go even further down the healthy train, these burgers are sold on bagel thins instead of buns.  I promise, you won’t even miss the bun!

Yield: 4

Skinny Turkey Burgers on Bagel Thins

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Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey breast
• 1 small zucchini, shredded
• 1/3 cup plain dried bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced fire-roasted green chiles, drained
• 1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp Cheddar
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 8 pieces of lettuce
• 4 everything or whole wheat sandwich thins, toasted

Instructions

Combine turkey, zucchini, bread crumbs, chili powder, cumin and salt in large bowl. Shape into 4 (3/4 inch-thick) patties. (You can either add the green chiles to the burgers or you can mix them with the cheese as a topping. I like them in the burgers).

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook until browned and instant-read thermometer inserted into sides of patties registers 165°F, about 6 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, stir together chilies and Cheddar in medium bowl.

Top burgers evenly with chile mixture. Reduce heat to low; cover skillet and cook until cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Serve burgers, onion and tomato in sandwich thins.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Weight Watchers Essentials cookbook

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 321 Carbohydrates: 32g Sugar: 6g