These little burgers are perfect for a Superbowl party! Don’t be fooled, they may look and taste decadent but I have made them a lot healthier for you! I use lean ground turkey and pureed lentils which makes them as moist as they are nutritious. Right before I serve them, I brush each one with my homemade BBQ sauce which gives them a wonderful kick (you can omit the chipotle for younger kids’ simpler taste). Of course, my BBQ sauce is much healthier for you than the typical salt-&-sugar-laden store-bought ones–very simple to make too: Click here for the recipe! I serve these on mini Soft Wheat Buns (here is the recipe).
Mini Turkey Burgers with BBQ Sauce
Cuisinicity Tip 1: I like using black beluga lentils for this recipe, but French lentils or brown lentils will do. Just follow package instructions as each is a little different. You will need about ⅓ cup dry lentils to make the 1 cup cooked lentils you need. You can also use organic canned lentils instead (I have links to a couple brands below the recipe). Cuisinicity Tip 2 on the wholegrain bread I grind and use into the mixture: I use Alvarado street Bakery California style complete protein bread that is high in fiber, low in salt, low in sugar, and has no partially hydrogenated oils (even has lentils, and you know how I feel about those!)
Author: Catherine Katz
Serves: 16 mini patties
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw all-natural extra-lean ground turkey (organic)
- 1 Tbsp flaxmeal diluted in 3 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 slice 100% wholegrain bread, finely ground in food processor
- 1 cup cooked lentils, rinsed, drained, finely ground in food processor
- Use recipe for my homemade BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Mix together all the ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. The mixture will be “sticky” and that’s just right. You can refrigerate (it also freezes well) at this point until ready to grill (Do not form patties at this point!).
- When ready to prepare, drizzle a little canola oil in a large grill pan (see photo below) and heat. When the pan is very hot, spoon out a scoop of the ground turkey mixture (I like to use an ice-cream scooper) onto the grill pan. Do NOT attempt to shape the patty at this point! Let it sizzle on that side for 2-3 minutes, then flip over and flatten gently with a large spatula and make the circular shape smoother all around with your spatula, continue to grill for 2-3 minutes on that side.
- Flip the patties over once again until cooked through.
- Using a pastry brush, coat each patty with BBQ sauce on both sides (about 2 tsp per patty) and serve on mini soft wheat buns with garnishings.
Grill pan I use to grill my turkey burgers
You can find ready-cooked organic black beluga lentils HERE and HERE!
Hello Catherine, I like many of your recipes, but I noticed that you recommend using canola oil. I’ve read different things about, but I have my doubts about it. First off, my wife is an MD and tells me it’s not the best and you may know Dr. Axe and I’ve given you a link that you may consider reading. https://draxe.com/canola-oil-gm/
Thanks for all your work!
Don Clay
Thank you Don for the lovely comment, I always appreciate it! 🙂 I have written about why I choose to use organic cold, or expeller-pressed canola oil, as well as olive oil preferentially in my cooking and baking here:
http://cuisinicity.com/verdict-canola-oil/
I think you may find it helpful. as for the link you sent me, I would be weary of such foolish fanaticism and would redirect you to the global common voice of true experts who agree about the basics of nutrition here:http://www.truehealthinitiative.org
Oh my gosh, so yummy! All kinds of goodness packed into these little guys, and no one in the family suspected a thing! I love that the recipe made a lot, so we get to enjoy them another night and I am off the hook for cooking!
Thank you for the great recipe, Catherine!
My pleasure Barbara!! I LOVE your cheerful and absolutely lovely comments–so gratifying for me!! THANK YOU! 🙂
same directions if using a grill?
Yes, although I haven’t done it on the BBQ so maybe make sure you spray a little olive oil on the patties before grilling!!
These were a big success at our Mini Superbowl Party !!
YAY!!!!! Tracey, I served them for our Super Bowl party too–Love’em!!
That’s what I like to hear Robin!!!! YES!!!
They were excellent!
Catherine,
Thanks so much for putting these recipes out on your website.
Enjoyed making and eating these foods before tonight’s Super Bowl.
Nutritious & Delicious.
My objectives for 2015.
Preparation instructions easy to follow and expertly written.
Well done!
DG
You are so very welcome David! We had them too! What a game!!!!!
Catherine, these little “sliders” look soooo delicious I am going to make them for the Superbowl! I can’t wait to try them out and let you know how they taste. Finally a little healthy something for my fave football fans. And, lol on the deflated balls. The media is STILL talking about that!
Thank you Donna! YAY! I know I’d impress you with that deflated ball savvy tidbit of mine HAHAHAH!!!