Cajun? No. Decent? Yes.
Jun. 8th, 2026 11:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
madbakerThis week's Resolution Recipe: "Cajun" Turkey Burgers.
"These burgers are juicy and flavorful enough that you won't need a condiment; the pickled onions are sufficient."
1 small red onion, cut into thin half-moons
1/2 cup cider vinegar (aka pomgar), as needed
spray oil
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper (I used one fire-roasted belp from a commercial jar, chopped)
2 cloves garlic (Ha! I used... more.)
2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp "Cajun seasoning" (see below)
1 lb ground turkey
4 tomato slices
4 leaves red lettuce
seasoning:
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp thyme
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I used chili powder)
Put the onions in a small bowl and add enough vinegar to cover. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours.
Heat 2 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery,bell pepper, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until tender. Add the green onions and cook about 2 minutes to wilt. Stir in 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool.
Mix in the ground turkey and combine thoroughly. Shape into four burgers. Place on a waxed paper-lined plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Wipe out the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add oil and cook the burgers until the undersides are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until the other sides are browned and the burgers feel resilient when pressed on top with a finger.
For each serving, place a burger in a bun and top with some red onions, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Serve hot.
What worked: This was honestly better than I expected. It scratched the "I want a burger" itch without being as unhealthy. The pickled onions were nice.
What didn't: It needed much more spice. It took about 15 minutes rather than 10 to cook all through.
I didn't have any rolls so I used very lightly-toasted bread, which sogged up and fell apart; but that's not the recipe's fault.
Will I make it again? We have two more in the freezer, but probably. I might also put some Dijon mustard on the roll. The wife suggested pickled jalapenos, which might also be good.
"These burgers are juicy and flavorful enough that you won't need a condiment; the pickled onions are sufficient."
1 small red onion, cut into thin half-moons
1/2 cup cider vinegar (aka pomgar), as needed
spray oil
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper (I used one fire-roasted belp from a commercial jar, chopped)
2 cloves garlic (Ha! I used... more.)
2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp "Cajun seasoning" (see below)
1 lb ground turkey
4 tomato slices
4 leaves red lettuce
seasoning:
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp thyme
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I used chili powder)
Put the onions in a small bowl and add enough vinegar to cover. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, up to 6 hours.
Heat 2 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery,
Mix in the ground turkey and combine thoroughly. Shape into four burgers. Place on a waxed paper-lined plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Wipe out the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add oil and cook the burgers until the undersides are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until the other sides are browned and the burgers feel resilient when pressed on top with a finger.
For each serving, place a burger in a bun and top with some red onions, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Serve hot.
What worked: This was honestly better than I expected. It scratched the "I want a burger" itch without being as unhealthy. The pickled onions were nice.
What didn't: It needed much more spice. It took about 15 minutes rather than 10 to cook all through.
I didn't have any rolls so I used very lightly-toasted bread, which sogged up and fell apart; but that's not the recipe's fault.
Will I make it again? We have two more in the freezer, but probably. I might also put some Dijon mustard on the roll. The wife suggested pickled jalapenos, which might also be good.
