How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Lose Weight: Eat Turkey Burgers

It took me a long time to like turkey burgers. Really long. It wasn't until October 2009 that I finally found a turkey burger worth eating. I haven't been able to stop eating them since.

Turkey will never be a replacement for beef, but when you're looking to lose weight, it's a delicious low-cal alternative. In fact, you can save about 150 calories by swapping turkey for beef.

Ground turkey, especially fat-free, can be dry, so adding chopped veggies and herbs will add both moisture and flavor. That's why today's Healthy Apple and Sage Turkey Burgers made with rolled oats, shallots, apples, celery and sage, are so good. Low in fat and high in protein and fiber, these turkey burgers will make keeping your New Year's resolution to lose weight a breeze.

And since a burger cannot be eaten without fries, don't forget the sweet potato fries, baked, of course.

Healthy Apple and Sage Turkey Burgers

Makes 6 burgers

Printable recipe.

Burgers:

1 1/2 pounds ground fat-free or 95% fat free turkey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup rolled oats, or as much as needed

2 sage leaves, finely chopped, about 2 teaspoons

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 shallot, finely diced, about 3 tablespoons

1/2 medium apple of your choice, finely chopped, about 1/3 cup

1 celery stalk, finely chopped, about 1/3 cup

6 rolls of your choice, such as whole wheat or multi-grain 

Optional Toppings: 

For each burger add:

1 slice reduced fat Swiss cheese

1 teaspoon reduced fat or soy mayo

1 teaspoon spicy mustard

2-3 lettuce leaves 

A few carrot sticks for good crunch

1. Place turkey in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add oats and chopped sage and mix well.

2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add shallot, apple, and celery, and saute 3 minutes until just softened. Add to the turkey mixture and mix until well combined. Using your hands, form 6 equal sized patties. 

3. Cooking methods: 

Grill: To grill burgers, lightly oil grill racks and preheat to medium-high. Cook burgers 3-4 minutes without touching. Flip once and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until evenly charred and cooked through. 

Stovetop: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Avoiding overcrowding the burgers. Cook burgers for 4-5 minutes without touching. Flip once and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until evenly browned and cooked through. 

Oven: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and cook for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink inside.

Don't forget to check out these posts from earlier in the week: 
How To Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Lose Weight: Eat Breakfast
How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution to Lose Weight: Eat Soup

Here are more turkey burger recipes you might enjoy:
Herbed Turkey Burger recipe from Simply Recipes
Pesto Turkey Burgers recipe from Stylish Cuisine
Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers recipe from Green Lite Bites
Grilled Middle Eastern Turkey Burgers recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen