Greek Mini Turkey Burger Lettuce Wraps – Recipe!

Burgers are something all of us can enjoy and sometimes it’s fun to change them up a bit with flavors from other countries.  Greek ingredients like yogurt, thyme and oregano, and cucumbers are readily available, and are often mixed together to form a sauce called Tzatziki.  Many of us are very familiar with it as a dip, or spooned over grilled chicken or fish, but have you ever enjoyed it over the top of a burger?

Turkey burgers are lighter in flavor than beef, and with a few added spices, become apart of a tasty Greek inspired meal.  Ground turkey burgers are juicier if you use dark meat, instead of light meat, but you can always mix a bit of both together, to form a great balance.

Lettuce wraps are definitely a thing of the summer, instead of using a bun.  The crisp lettuce leaves gently wrap a mini burger, and hold the entire thing together, just like a bun, yet offer a refreshing crunch, along with the other condiments like diced tomatoes, red onion and a spoonful of Tzatziki.  Trust me, this will be one burger experience you will want to eat over and over again this summer.

Ingredients

Tzatziki Sauce

2/3 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cucumber – peeled, seeds removed and diced

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

juice of 1/2 lemon

pinch of salt & pepper

Burgers

1 pound dark meat ground turkey, or combo of light and dark

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves or 2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

16 Gem or Butter lettuce leaves

1 tomato, diced

1/2 red onion, sliced

olive oil for cooking

(Serves 4)

To Prepare:

1. In a small bowl, combine all Tzatziki ingredients.  Stir and set aside.
2. In another bowl, combine ground turkey, oregano, onion powder, garlic, salt and pepper.  Using your hands, gently form into eight mini patties and place on a plate.
3. In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon olive oil.  Place patties in pan to cook on first side for 3 minutes, flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
4. Place washed lettuce leaves on a plate – stacking 2 leaves inside each other to have 8 wraps in total.
5. Place burger patties on each lettuce wrap and top with a spoonful of tomatoes, onions and Tzatziki.  Enjoy!