Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground turkey
• ½ cup finely diced onion (white, red, or yellow)
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (leave seeds for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
• Juice of ½ lime (about ½ tbsp)
• ½ to 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 6 hamburger buns
• Guacamole
• Sliced cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Tomato slices
• Lettuce

Tzatziki Sauce

• ½ English cucumber, grated (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Make the Tzatziki Sauce (do this first)
   Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess water.
   In a bowl, mix cucumber, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.
   Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors develop
2. Preheat the Grill: Heat a charcoal, gas, or pellet grill to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates if needed to prevent sticking.
3. Prepare the Burger Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, diced onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, paprika, lime juice, shredded cheddar, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly distributed but avoid overworking the meat.
4. Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape them into burger patties. Adjust the size based on your buns or preference.
5. Grill the Burgers: Cook the patties on the preheated grill for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
6. Rest the Burgers: Remove the burgers from the grill, loosely cover them with foil, and let them rest for 3-5 minutes.
7. Assemble and Serve: Place the burgers on toasted buns and top with guacamole, cheese slices, tomatoes, and lettuce. Enjoy!

• Jalapeño Heat Level: If you prefer more spice, keep the seeds and membranes in the jalapeño. For a milder flavor, remove them.
• Homemade Guacamole: Mash 2 avocados with the juice of ½ lime, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a dash of garlic powder or minced fresh garlic. Adjust to taste.
• Cooking Alternatives: If you don’t have a grill, cook the burgers in a stovetop skillet over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes per side, or bake at 375°F for approximately 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Nutrition