Spicy turkey burgers with guacomole - low fat summer recipe

Summer time means firing up the grill and slapping the meat over the flames.

Meat is king here at Casa Maria.

But I want to cut the fat a little, make my summer meals on the grill a little lighter and healthier.

I can't do without a burger, but I can make it a bit easier on the system. Amazingly,  I don't have to give up flavor while I'm cutting the fat.

Bye-bye beef and hello ground turkey!  Hasta la vista mayonnaise and hola, guacamole!  These two simple swaps are flavorful - especially when you put a strategic few add-ins in the ground turkey mixture.

Ground turkey is significantly lower in fat, nearly half of the 24 grams of fat and one-third fewer calories than the 300 calories found in four ounces of cooked lean ground beef.

Guacamole is far less evil than mayonnaise when it comes to condiments - and it packs in some terrific nutrients every body can use. One tablesppon of mayonnaise has a whopping 90 calories and adds 10 grams of fat with zero nutritional value while a similar size serving of guacamole contains roughly half the calories and fat while providing a source for Vitamins, B,C, and E.

My stomach feels flatter already!

This meal is quick, easy and bursting with flavor.  Add a side of sweet Silver Queen corn and life is nearly perfect.

Spicy Turkey Burgers with Guacamole

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground turkey
• 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoons chipoltle salsa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, seasoned bread crumbs, onion, egg whites, parsley, garlic, chipoltle salsa, salt, and pepper. Form into 12 patties.
2. Cook the patties in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning once, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

Serve on toasted rolls (I like Challah rolls) with guacamole and grated Asadero cheese or substitute Muenster, Fontina or Monterey Jack.

Comments

[Chicken Salad Recipe]

Love the guac! Great recipe.