My family and I are trying to avoid red meat, but there's nothing like a good burger, especially now that the weather is warming up and it's time to dust off the grill.
I love making Turkey Burgers with Shredded Veggies for my husband and toddlers. This is one of my own recipes — I'll bet I serve it at least a few times a month — and it's one way to sneak in veggies without anyone even knowing.
But this isn't one of those "deceptive" strategies. I'm actually a believer in complete honesty when it comes to food, and want my kids to eat a food becasue it IS good for them. Turkey is so low in fat that it can be very dry; the veggies actually help to keep the meat moist and juicy, even when reheated.
You can toss the burgers on the grill, but I think they taste even better when browned and sauteed in a pan with olive oil.
Turkey Burgers with Shredded Veggies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
You'll need:
2 tbsp olive oil
1.5 pounds of ground turkey
1 egg
1 carrot, shredded finely
1 zucchini, shredded finely
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
salt to taste
English muffins (optional)
Make it:
1. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until just combined — don't over mix or compact the meat.
2. Gently press turkey into flat patties (they will poof up a lot during cooking).
3. Heat olive oil in pan, and add turkey patties, sauteing about 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through.
4. Top with ketchup or lemon mayonnaise* atop a lightly toasted English muffin (so it's warm but still soft enough for your toddler to bite through).
Tip: To make lemon mayonnaise, mix 2 tablespoons of mayo with one teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice. This condiment goes better with the turkey flavor than ketchup, in my opinion.
Tip: Omit the English muffin for younger toddlers; just cut up the meat into small, easy-to-chew pieces.
Tip: Great served with sweet potato fries and broccoli.
C'mon, don't make me come up with these toddler recipes all on my own. I want to know what YOU feed your toddler's for lunch and dinner. Send me a PM and share your recipes so I can feature them here!
Past Toddler Meals:
Red Noodles from the Hillbilly Housewife
Alex Guarnaschelli's Homemade Granola
Fruit Salsa With Cinnamon Crisps
