Turkey Gyro Burgers

When I read a post on one of my favorite food blogs, Nutmeg Notebook last week, about Turkey Gyros, it reminded me of an old recipe I had for Gyro Burgers.  Tami's post inspired me to make mine with ground turkey breast, instead of beef, and I was thrilled with the results!  So easy, so tasty!  The recipe originally comes from one  I picked up at my grocery store a few years ago.  The burgers can be grilled or cooked in a non-stick skillet stove top.  (Cook them to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F, but use care to not overcook them so they don't become dry.)  Most of the flavor comes from a packet of dry ranch mix, making them super easy to prepare.  You can stuff the tasty burgers into a halved pita or, like I did, serve them on a flat bread.  ( The nutrition information ONLY includes burger and sauce, it DOES NOT include the bread or the condiments such as onion and tomato)

The burgers do give off a fair amount of "juice" when they cook.  So watch out for splatters!

Shredding the English cucumber gives the sauce a nice consistency.  The addition of garlic and dill is optional, but I think it makes it taste more authentic.

We garnished with sliced tomato and red onion, and had this on flat bread folded in half taco style!

Since I doubled the recipe, the leftover burgers and sauce made an excellent "gryo" salad for lunch the next day! 

Turkey Gyro Burgers

adapted from a recipe from Buehler's Market

Printable Recipe

Servings - 4   Serving size - 1 burger with 1/4th of sauce ( about a 1/4 cup)   Points Plus per Serving - 6 points+ ( bread, tomato slices, and onion slices not included) 

Nutrition information for burger and sauce ONLY:   Calories - 237,   Total Fat - 8.8g,   Carb. - 9.1g,   Protein - 30.8g,   Fiber - 1.1g

1 cup nonfat, plain greek yogurt

1 cup reduced fat, sour cream

1 ( 1 oz.) pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix ( such as Hidden Valley Original) 

1/2 large English cucumber, shredded

1 clove garlic, minced 

1 tsp. dried dill weed

1 pound ground extra lean ground turkey ( aka ground turkey breast) 

1/4 cup onion, diced

salt and pepper, as you like

1.  Mix the dry Ranch dressing mix with the Greek yogurt in a small bowl.  Remove half of mixture to a large bowl.  Set aside.  To the remaining mixture in the small bowl, add the sour cream, cucumber, garlic and dill.  Mix well to combine.  Store in refrigerator until ready to use.  

2.  With the mixture in the large bowl, add the ground turkey and diced onion.  ( add some salt and pepper, if you desire) Mix together and form into 4, 4 oz. patties. Indent patties just a little in the middle to prevent them from "puffing up" when they cook.   Heat a nonstick pan sprayed with cooking spray over med high heat.  Add the patties, taking care not to over crowd.  Cook on each side until internal temperature is 165 degrees F.  You can also grill these burgers on med-high heat until done as well. 

3.  To serve, place a patty inside bread of choice.  Garnish with sliced tomatoes, red onion slices and the reserved cucumber sauce. 

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I have been talking for months about "recommitting" to WW and today,  I am happy to say, I have finally gotten serious about it.  Call it fate, but I ran into my old WW leader at Costco the other day, and she told me about a meeting she is now leading that fit better into my schedule.  I have always loved her upbeat and real style of leading meetings, so I decided it was time to go at this again, seriously.  This morning was my first meeting.  It was GREAT!  

Also great around here has been our weather...and I have been taking full advantage of these mild and dry days.  Window washing, bulb planting, winterizing, leaf raking. dog walking....most years we don't get this nice stretch.  I apologize that because of this, my computer time this week has been very limited.  It won't be long though, before old man winter traps me indoors!  Of that I can be very sure!  And I am excited to announce that I already have another giveaway in the works for you very soon!