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jalapeño turkey burgers

Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers

These juicy jalapeño pepper jack turkey burgers are loaded with bold flavor from smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, and melty pepper jack cheese. Chilling the patties before cooking helps them stay extra plump, flavorful, and moist on the grill or stovetop.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 g arlic cloves finely minced
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño pepper finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds (32 oz) 93% lean ground turkey*
  • optional: 6 slices pepper jack cheese
  • for serving: hamburger buns, sliced jalapeño, spicy mayo, guacamole, tomato, lettuce, etc.

Equipment

  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Mix the base
    Whisk the first 11 ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the ground turkey and fold it in with your hands until it just combines. You stop before you squeeze the life out of the meat, because overworked turkey turns tough.
  2. Shape the patties
    Form 6 plump, compact patties at about ½ cup each. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each one. Skip that dimple and they puff into weird little meatballs.
  3. Chill out
    Set the patties on a parchment-lined sheet or plate, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes. Warm turkey turns sticky, so the fridge firms them up.
  4. Cook them
    Oil the grill grates well and preheat to high. Grill the patties for 5 minutes with the lid closed, then flip them and grill 3 more minutes. Check the center with a thermometer until it reads 165°F. The USDA sets 165°F as the safe internal temperature for all ground poultry, so you trust the read instead of your eyes.