Yields: 4 burgers
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup grated or finely minced yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves grated or finely minced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
- 2 garlic cloves grated or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
For the yogurt sauce:
- ¾ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon green harissa
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
- Kosher salt
For serving: (optional)
- 4 whole wheat pita
- 1½ cups finely chopped hearts of romaine
- ¼ English cucumber very thinly sliced
- 1-2 plum tomatoes sliced into rounds
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the feta, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, and spices. Add the turkey and gently mix until all of the ingredients are combined. (I recommend using your hands for this, but a fork will also do if you’re squeamish.)
- Gently form the turkey mixture into four patties, approximately ¾-inch thick. Using your thumb, make a small indent in the center of each patty. (This will keep your burgers from puffing up into turkey footballs on the grill.)
- Pre-heat a lightly oiled grill (or grill pan) over medium heat.
- Meanwhile whip up the harissa yogurt sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and season with salt to taste. Briefly set aside.
- Place the burgers on the hot grill, thumbprint side down, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Warm your pitas in the microwave (10-15 seconds should do it) or directly on the grill.
- Time to build your burgers! Spread a dollop of yogurt sauce on the bottom half of each pita “bun.” Top each with a small handful of romaine and a burger. Garnish with cucumber, tomato and red onion, and finish with extra yogurt sauce. Sandwich everything together and serve immediately.