Go Back
A juicy Low Carb Turkey and Zucchini Burger stacked with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and avocado salsa on a toasted bun.
Maryam

Low Carb Turkey and Zucchini Burgers

Juicy, flavor-packed burgers that sneak in vegetables without anyone noticing, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Burgers
  • 1.25 lb ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1.5 cups zucchini finely grated, excess moisture squeezed out
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced, white and green parts
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.75 tsp salt plus more for seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
To Serve
  • 8 large lettuce leaves butter or iceberg, for wrapping
  • 1 tomato sliced
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt optional

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Box Grater or Food Processor
  • Large Skillet or Grill Pan
  • Spatula

Method
 

Prep the Zucchini
  1. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  1. 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.