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Burger nights are such a fun way to change up the normal routine. There are so many fun ways to dress up a classic burger, from bacon jam to fried eggs, to BBQ sauce. You name it, it can go on a burger. So instead of Taco Tuesday, I thought, why not put those Tex Mex flavors right on a burger? These Southwest Guacamole Turkey Burgers are a fun, spicy, zesty spin on a classic cheeseburger. It is loaded with fresh guacamole, cheese, and a spicy chipotle lime mayo.
Chipotle Turkey Patties
The centerpiece of this dish begins with a hearty spicy southwest turkey patty. Some people are purist when it comes to their burgers and believe in only crusting the outside with salt and pepper. I don’t totally hate that idea, but for this recipe we don’t want to miss out on the chance to infuse tons of flavor into what can sometimes be lack-luster turkey.
To start, take 1.5 lbs of ground turkey and put it in a mixing bowl. Add 3 minced chipotles (canned in adobo, include as much sauce as you’d like as well), 1/2 tbsp of salt, 2 tsp of ground cumin and onion powder, and 1 tsp each of black pepper and chili powder. Mix well to combine all of the ingredients and form the meat into 4 even sized patties.
Heat a cast iron skillet with a drizzle of high heat oil over medium high heat. Place the patties in the skillet and cook 4-5 minutes per side to reach a nice medium. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of gouda (or pepperjack) on each patty, and pour about 1/4 cup of water into the skillet. Cover the pan and allow the steam to melt the cheese. And that is it! Your patties are done.
Southwest Guacamole Burger
While your patties are cooking, take some time to make the rest of the burger additions. Begin with the guacamole. Take one whole avocado and pit it. Next, score the meat of the avocado down to the skin with a knife several times horizontally and vertically to create cubes. Use a spoon to scoop the meat out from the flesh and place in a bowl. To the bowl, add 3 tbsp of minced red onion, 2 tbsp of minced cilantro, 1-2 tbsp of lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the guacamole to your preferred consistency and set aside.
Next, let’s get saucy! In another bowl, combine 1/3 cup of mayo with 2 more minced chipotles in adobo. Again, add as much of the sauce from the can as you would like. Also squeeze in 2 tbsp of lime juice and stir to combine. If you’d like, you can also toast 4 hamburger buns at this time.
Assembly is easy! Scoop a generous helping of guac onto the bottom of each bun. Place a patty with cheese on top of the guac, and spoon on as little or much of the chipotle lime mayo as you want on top. garnish with a some additional cilantro or sliced jalapenos and serve! Throw in some pico de gallo, sliced red onion, or whatever you’d like! All you need to know is that these southwest guacamole turkey burgers are a flavor bomb and you may not go back to a regular cheeseburger ever again!
Want More Tex Mex Recipes?
- Mexican Eggs Benedict
- Chipotle Shrimp Cauliflower Bowl
- Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
- Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Southwest Sweet Potato Hash
- Taco Cups
- Slow Cooker Carnitas
Southwest Guacamole Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground turkey
- 5 chipotles in adobo chopped
- ½ tbsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices gouda
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 avocado
- 3 tbsp red onion diced
- 2 tbsp cilantro minced
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- extra cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine turkey, 3 chopped chipotles in adobo,salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and onion powder.
- Form turkey into 4 even sized patties and place in an oiled cast iron pan over medium high heat, or on a grill heated to 400
- Cook patties 4-5 minutes per side for medium. When the patties have about 1 minute left, place cheese slices on top, pour ¼ cup of water into the pan and cover with a lid to melt the cheese
- While the patties are cooking, pit, cure and scoop the avocado out of its skin, placing it in a bowl with the diced onion, cilantro, 1 tbsp of lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Using a fork or masher, mash the avocado to the desired consistency. Set aside
- In another bowl, combine mayo, remaining minced chipotles, and remaining lime juice. Toast buns if desired
- To assemble, scoop desired amount of guacamole onto the bottom burger bun. Top with the burger patty, and desired amount of chipotle lime mayo. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired and serve immediately
What brand of sriracha sauce do you prefer? This will be my first experience with sriracha sauce!
My go-to is Huy Fong Foods, but honestly you can’t go wrong with good old Texas Pete if you can find it!