Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep the Zucchini
- Grate zucchini on the fine side of a box grater. Place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly over the sink to remove as much moisture as possible. You want about 1 cup packed, well-drained zucchini. This step is crucial - wet zucchini makes soggy burgers.
Mix the Burgers
- In a large bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, ground turkey, garlic, scallions, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a fork to mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix or the burgers will become tough.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb - this helps them cook evenly and prevents doming.
Cook the Burgers
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add patties and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F. The zucchini keeps these incredibly moist, so don't worry if they look dark.
- Transfer cooked burgers to a plate and let rest for 3 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute so the burgers stay juicy when you bite in.
Serve
- Serve burgers wrapped in lettuce leaves with tomato and avocado slices. Spread a little mayo or Greek yogurt on the lettuce if desired. These are also excellent cold the next day, sliced over a salad.
Notes
Squeeze that zucchini dry - I cannot stress this enough. Wet zucchini is the enemy of a good sear and will make your burgers fall apart. If the mixture feels too soft to form patties, refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm it up. These freeze beautifully: form patties, place on a parchment-lined sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes per side.
