Quinoa Turkey Burgers

As Thanksgiving and other holidays come around, turkey features prominently on many menus. The concept of the “food coma” that accompanies this meal of thanks derives from the fact that turkey is high in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a building block of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Tryptophan is also a precursor to serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that aids in mood balance. Turkey is an excellent source of protein (4 ounces contains 22 grams of protein!) and provides the individual building blocks for brain chemicals, blood, bone, and enzymes that are critical for growth, development, and new cell formation. Since having a good portion of protein at every meal is so important for balancing blood sugar and maintaining steady energy and attention, these quick and tasty turkey burgers will go a long way in keeping you fueled.

Quinoa Turkey Burger Recipe

Like turkey, quinoa is also high in protein. It’s a wonderful addition to this recipe as it helps to bind the meat, eliminating the need for flour or eggs. Whether you use it to top a green salad or zucchini noodles, roll it into meatballs to soak in your favourite sauce, or slap it on a bun for an easy weeknight meal, everyone will gobble this recipe up!

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• ½ c cooked quinoa
• 2 Tbsp tamari
• ¼ c red onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
2. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or place in the freezer for 5 minutes, to help mixture stick together better.
3. Form burger patties and grill for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and no longer pink.
4. Garnish with your favorite condiments and vegetables. Serve.