Thought I’d make us some burgers for lunch today since my boyfriend was home. I was a little worried that they wouldn’t work without an egg or breadcrumbs, but they did great!
You could make your own turkey mince, but I used 500g of it. One large onion, peeled and cut into eight pieces. Two cloves of garlic, peeled. A pinch of sage, a pinch of thyme, salt, and pepper.
Put the onion and garlic into a food processor and pulse them a few times. Then add the rest of the ingredients and pulse again until everything is well mixed. Form into about six burgers, or eight smaller ones. I laid mine on my meat chopping board then refrigerated whilst chopping the salad. Put a little oil in a griddle pan and heat it on medium. Cook your burgers for about 15 minutes, flipping them over every now and then. Serve with homemade chips, salad, and ketchup, if you want. We didn’t have chips because we thought it might be too heavy for lunch.
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Breadcrumbs are a standard binding agent in turkey burgers, helping to hold the patties together But if you’re cutting carbs or avoiding gluten, breadcrumbs are out Luckily, there are plenty of tasty breadcrumb substitutes for moist and delicious homemade turkey burgers.
In this article we’ll explore
- Why breadcrumbs are traditionally used in turkey burgers
- 7 simple and healthy ingredient swaps to use instead of breadcrumbs
- Tips for making tender turkey burgers without breadcrumbs
- A recipe for juicy turkey burgers with no breadcrumbs
Let’s get cooking!
Why Are Breadcrumbs Used in Turkey Burgers?
There are two reasons breadcrumbs are added to turkey patties:
1. Binding – Ground turkey is very lean. Without a binder, patties fall apart easily. Breadcrumbs soak up moisture and hold the burgers together.
2. Texture – Breadcrumbs add a nice softness and body to the burger texture.
When you omit breadcrumbs, you lose these attributes. The good news is there are many great options to recreate a moist and tender turkey burger texture instead.
7 Healthy Turkey Burger Binders to Use Without Breadcrumbs
If you’re avoiding breadcrumbs, try these easy substitutes:
1. Oats – Rolled or quick oats act similarly to breadcrumbs. Use 1/2 cup for every 1 pound of ground turkey. Be sure to pulse oats in a food processor first into a coarse flour.
2. Nuts – Finely chopped nuts add moisture and texture. Almonds, walnuts and pecans work well. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per pound of turkey.
3. Seeds – Ground flax or chia seeds bind nicely. Use 1-3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
4. Vegetables – Finely shredded or pulsed zucchini, spinach or mushrooms are excellent options. Use around 1/2 cup per pound.
5. Cheese – Shredded cheese helps bind and provides delicious flavor. Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup per pound of turkey.
6. Eggs – Whisk 1 large egg per pound of meat as a substitute.
7. Panko breadcrumbs – If avoiding gluten rather than carbs, panko-style breadcrumbs work well. Use a 1:1 ratio.
Mix in any combination of the above to find your perfect breadcrumb-free turkey burger recipe.
Tips for Making Juicy Turkey Burgers Without Breadcrumbs
To ensure your turkey burgers come out moist and tender:
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Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground turkey instead of extra lean. The higher fat content provides moisture.
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Don’t overwork the turkey mixture. Gently mix ingredients.
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Make indentations in patties before cooking. This allows them to cook up thicker.
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Cook 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t overcook or burgers will dry out.
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Allow burgers to rest 5 minutes after cooking for juices to redistribute.
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Add a flavorful condiment like barbecue sauce for added moisture.
A Recipe for Juicy Turkey Burgers Without Breadcrumbs
Now that you know how to replace breadcrumbs in turkey burgers, here is an easy recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- Olive oil for cooking
- 4 burger buns
Instructions:
-
Pulse oats in a food processor into a coarse flour.
-
In a large bowl, gently mix together all ingredients except oil and buns.
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Form into 4 patties, pressing a divot into the center of each.
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In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook patties 2-3 minutes per side.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving on buns with desired condiments.
Get creative mixing and matching binders and flavors in your own breadcrumb-free turkey burger recipes for a tasty gluten-free meal. With the right technique and ingredients, you’ll never miss the breadcrumbs!
random thoughts from my days..
Thought I’d make us some burgers for lunch today since my boyfriend was home. I was a little worried that they wouldn’t work without an egg or breadcrumbs, but they did great!
You could make your own turkey mince, but I used 500g of it. One large onion, peeled and cut into eight pieces. Two cloves of garlic, peeled. A pinch of sage, a pinch of thyme, salt, and pepper.
Put the onion and garlic into a food processor and pulse them a few times. Then add the rest of the ingredients and pulse again until everything is well mixed. Form into about six burgers, or eight smaller ones. I laid mine on my meat chopping board then refrigerated whilst chopping the salad. Put a little oil in a griddle pan and heat it on medium. Cook your burgers for about 15 minutes, flipping them over every now and then. Serve with homemade chips, salad, and ketchup, if you want. We didn’t have chips because we thought it might be too heavy for lunch.
How To Make Macro Friendly Turkey Burgers. No Breadcrumbs!
FAQ
How to keep turkey burgers from falling apart without breadcrumbs?
What is a good binder for turkey burgers?
What helps turkey burgers stick together?
How to make turkey burgers without bread crumbs?
This recipe for turkey burgers without bread crumbs is simple to make and produces juicy, flavorful burgers that everyone will love. 1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. 2. Mix well until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. 3.
What do you need to make a healthy turkey burger?
So let’s go over what you’ll need to make these ultimate healthy turkey burgers! You just need 5 ingredients (no eggs and no breadcrumbs!): 99% lean ground turkey, frozen spinach, dried basil, freshly ground black pepper, and coarse sea salt (like this — more on that in a minute!).
What is a good substitute for seasoned bread crumbs?
Just mix them with some savory spices like oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder for a little extra flavor and to balance out any sweetness. Dried stuffing is basically large, dried, seasoned pieces of bread. Process some into fine crumbs in your food processor and you’ve got a savory, herby substitute for seasoned breadcrumbs!
Can you use crackers as a breadcrumb substitute?
Don’t run to the grocery store just yet—you might have some of these easy breadcrumb substitutes on hand already! Turns out that many pantry staples (including crackers, chips, and other dried goods) can be used as a breadcrumb substitute.
How do you cook a turkey burger in a crock pot?
Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, onion, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. 2. Form the mixture into 4 patties. 3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 4. Cook the burgers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. 5. Serve the burgers on buns with your favorite toppings.
How do you make a no fail turkey burger?
No Fail, Amazing Turkey Burgers! Tired of dried out, falling apart turkey burgers? Then this flavor packed, healthy, sticks-together-and-doesn’t-fall-apart turkey burger is the one for you! Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; form into 4 patties. Dust each patty with flour, shaking off the excess.