
Turkey Zucchini Burgers
or, Embracing the 21st Century.
It might seem odd to admit this, being that I’ve been cooking for about 40 years, but I’ve never owned a Kitchen Aid stand mixer.
Why? Well for one thing, I’m more a cook than a baker. For another reason, I have a really old house. My countertop surface area is limited, as well as the vertical space from countertop to the above cupboards. So I haven’t been interested in a giant appliance that would monopolize my kitchen work space.
Well, here we are in 2017. I just received my first Kitchen Aid stand mixer, Artisanal Series. I purchased it at an incredible post-Christmas sale price of $278.00.
What prompted me to finally give in was that my sister-in-law sent me a Kitchen Aid spiralizer attachment for Christmas. She, of course, assumed I already owned a stand mixer, like most people do.
I called her to say “thank you” but “no thank you.” But that’s when I got chided into embracing the 21st Century kitchen. I thought long and hard, but finally gave in. So now I own a Kitchen Aid stand mixer, and a spiralizer attachment.
When considering how to christen my spiralizer, I immediately thought of zoodles, which are zucchini noodles. And then I saw this photo online.
I’d love to give somebody credit, but the photo was on Pinterest with no information associated with it. I just knew I had to test out my new spiralizer in order to make these burgers!
I opened the spiralizer box and it looked like something that an assassin would have. I took a big breath and read the directions.
Here’s how I created my electric-powered zoodles, in order to make turkey zoodle burgers.
Turkey Zoodle Burgers
1 pound lean ground turkey
2 eggs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped orange bell pepper
Garlic pepper
Salt
Bread crumbs, about 1/2 cup
Zoodles, made from 1 medium zucchini
Olive oil
Place the turkey, eggs, onion, bell pepper, and seasonings in a medium bowl. Stir until combined.
Stir in the bread crumbs. Use enough to stiffen the burger mixture but not so much as to dry it up.
Chill the burger mixture in the refrigerator and proceed with the zoodles.
To make the raw zoodles for these burgers I used the extra-fine spiralizer blade. The spiralizer plus the two other parts were easy to put together. Relief!
Simply turn on the mixer and watch the noodles form!
I placed the zoodles on paper towels to release some of their water for about 45 minutes.
When you’re ready to make the burgers, remove the burger mixture from the refrigerator.
Place the zoodles on a jelly-roll pan drizzled with olive oil.
Using some of the oil on your hands, form four even-sized burgers. Then press them gently into the zoodles on both sides.
Pour some olive oil in a flat skillet over high heat. Add the burgers and cook them for about 4-5 minutes.
Turn them over gently and reduce the heat to medium. Continue to lower the heat as you cook the burgers through, without having to flip them over any more. Total time varies on the burger thickness; you can always use a meat thermometer to check the doneness.
I served these burgers with a mayonnaise mixed with some paprika creme. It was a wonderful combination.
You could also make a Sriracha mayonnaise, or use Dijonnaise as a condiment.
I wasn’t tempted in the least to wrap burger buns around these burgers. They are just too tender, delicious, and pretty as is!
So, first off, I learned that with half a brain one can easily use the spiralizer attachment on a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. And now I’m intrigued and excited about other attachments….
The burgers came out great, by the way.
Welcome to the 21st century, Mimi! I got my first mixer just after the new millennium, so I wasn’t too far ahead of you! I use it much more than I ever thought I would. However, I do not have the spiralizer attachment. Do I need it? I do have the meat grinder, which I love! Your turkey zoodle burgers look wonderful.
Good to know about the meat grinder attachment, and how much you use the mixer. The spiralizer thing is iffy. It’s more of a fun thing I think. Especially if you own a mandoline or food processor for the slicing.
I absolutely love the idea of you as an assassin. Am now picturing you cooking zoodle burgers dressed in head-to-foot black with a gimlet look in your eye and armed with a filleting knife. :D
Ha! Fortunately it wasn’t challenging at all. I’ve gotten really lazy when it comes to that kind of thing. Takes me forever to put my meat grinder together!!!
Me too, and I always get the blade the wrong way round. Still, it gives my husband the opportunity to be slightly superior. :)
Well, every few months or so it’s fine for them to feel superior for a little bit…
These look beautiful Mimi. My spiralizer came free with the mixture so I know it’s great fun, even if you are armed and dangerous!
Nice. I’m excited for what the future holds…
I don’t have a stand mixer either Mimi and I LOVE baking. But, ditto on the no room situation. Sometimes my eldest daughter and I share appliances. She currently has my waffle iron and other things go back and forth too. I want her to get a spiralizer so that I can use it!
WOW that assassin’s toolkit is daunting. But you did it and the result looks fantastic.
It was way easier than I thought it might be. I was a bit behind getting a smart phone, too…
Congratulations! I’ve had my KitchenAid stand mixer for many years now. I love it and every attachment I have purchased works beautifully. I’m going to have to purchase that spiralizer, though… Love how you turned zucchini into a garnish! Awesome!
That’s good to hear! I’m excited!
That is an important feature I think. This is a fun new venture for me!
Welcome to the 21st century Mimi and congratulations. I’ve had my KitchenAid stand up mixer forever. However, I have no attachments, the spiralizer looks great. I also have a smallish kitchen. Some of my extra appliances end up in the garage . Have fun with your new toy.
Most all of my kitchen stuff is in the basement, so I understand.
I am beginning to think I must be one of the last cooks on the planet without a spiralizer!
Probably not, but they are fun!
What a fantastic recipe for toddlers. I am going to make mini versions of these burgers for Alice. I haven’t got a spiralizer yet but my sister has convinced me because my nephew who is three loves the healthy noodles it makes. How is your granddaughter? Emma xx
She’s a nut! She and I actually shared one of these burgers.
I know! You should see my cell phone!!!
I Love my immersion blender. Sometimes it’s just really handy, more handy than a blender! The spiralizer is a gimmick, but it’s a fun gimmick!
Today the spiralizer, tomorrow sous vide! The burgers sound delicious and healthy as well. The spiralizer attachment looks like it belongs on a contractor belt.
Yes, it does!!! I have actually had a sous vide Demi for a few years. I asked Santa for one for a long time until he finally believed I would use it.
Thank you! I’ve certainly gone a long time without a giant stand mixer, so we’ll see. Some things are so redundant, but it’s still fun to have gadgets!
Nah, you can just buy a simple spiralizer. YOur kiddos would enjoy the spirals!
Those burgers look like a work of art! Just think of the creative possibilities, as well as eating and blogging, that will open up to you now! Such a fun new toy; enjoy!!
Thank you – I’m excited!
They do look deadly, welcome to the world of the Kitchen Aid, my mixer is now 16 years or so old and has had one service and is still hanging in there.
Wow. Wel you were ahead of your time!!!
I’ve had mine going on 23 years and I am ruing the day it quits working….Those gadgets!!!!!! I might just trade my old model in for a new one just because of that spiral cutter!
I know! Isn’t that amazing?!!!
Welcome to the 21st century! ♥ These burgers look divine Mimi, I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us!
Thanks Didi!
All your photos are beautiful and they encourage me to make these! Congratulations on your new mixer. It’s a lovely thing to just keep adding ingredients into the bowl as the beaters do their job. :) Have fun!
Elena
Thanks Elena! I guess I’ll have to bake a cake soon!
Those attachments look like they belong in a torture chamber! But the resulting burgers sound and look delicious.
Thank you Liz!
Welcome to the wonder that is owning a stand mixer! And holy cow, the attachments on that spiralizer! I love this post :).
Haha! Thank you!
Your zoodles are oodles of fun, sorry I couldn’t resist. Speaking of resisting, I, like you resisted a stand mixer forEVER! Then I remodeled my kitchen and designed a dedicated space for one. Now I love it. GREG
So good to know, Greg!
I love kneading! But I’m old and a traditionalist, I guess! I did order a pasta roller and cutter, though….