Open-faced turkey-portobello burgers recipe

Grilled portabella vegetarian burger served with vegetables.

Makes 4 burgers

Ingredients:

  • 4 portobello mushroom caps, stems removed, wiped clean with a damp towel
  • 1 teaspoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 4 teaspoons sliced green onions, green tops only
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 3/4 cup very thinly sliced sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Maui (optional)
  • Condiments of choice, such as tomato sauce, mayonnaise, or dijon or yellow mustard

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Gently scrape the gills from the inside of the mushrooms using a teaspoon.

Lightly brush the top of each mushroom with 1/4 teaspoon of the oil and season with a pinch of the salt and pepper. Place top-side down (gill-side up) on the baking sheet and roast until they give off their liquid and are tender, about 15 minutes. Turn the mushrooms and roast until they are dry, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest.

Combine the turkey, green onions, oregano, red pepper, zest, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your fingers or a rubber spatula until well combined.

Form into patties of the proper weight for your nutritional requirements. Heat the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large, heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and reduce the heat to medium. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Turn the patties and cook until the meat is completely cooked through and the juices run clear, 5 to 6 minutes.

Remove the patties from the pan and let rest for 3 minutes. Place one or two mushrooms on each of two, three, or four plates. Top each mushroom with a turkey burger and optional toppings and condiments of your choice.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 283; dietary fiber 2g; protein 23g

Adapted from the book The Age-Defying Diet by Caroline Apovian, MD. Copyright © 2015 by Caroline Apovian and The Philip Lief Group, Inc. Reprinted with permission of Grand Central Publishing, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

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