Grilled Greek Turkey Burgers with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Friends! SUMMER IS HERE. And while I do NOT love summer heat, I DO love summer food! I also love grilling, ice cream, and conversations that last late into warm nights after alfresco dining with friends. It just...feels so good to the soul :)

Tonight is just such a night. I'm house-sitting for some friends who have a beautiful backyard with a grill, swimming pool, and hot tub, all at my disposal for the rest of the month. Glorious. Other than the mosquitoes (who are in CONSTANT attack mode, apparently), I've loved every minute of it! I invited a friend over tonight with whom to enjoy a lovely summer evening, and I'm so excited :)

I've been craving fresh, healthy food, and have had an idea floating around in my mind for a while to make something Greek-inspired, preferably on the grill! My sweet friend Mona went to Greece on a cruise last year and brought me some beautiful olives that I haven't yet used, so I've been in search of a recipe in which to use them.

Greek flavors are so summery and boldly flavorful, not to mention quite healthy! These burgers incorporate ground turkey, briny olives, savory garlic, and tangy feta cheese to deliver a punch of flavor without the need for extra salt. (You're welcome, cholesterol levels!) Topped with gorgeous fresh veggies and a drizzle of this gorgeous Greek dressing, who can go wrong?

I decided to keep the healthy vibes flowing and serve the burgers with these delicious, crispy sweet potato fries, which I've made before. Funnily enough, they went right alongside another turkey burger. What can I say? It's just a classic combination! : ) This burger recipe is slightly adapted from Liz at Virtually Homemade.

Ingredients:

Burgers:

• 1 pound ground turkey, thawed (one package)
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups of baby arugula
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• extra Feta for garnish 
• Greek dressing

Greek Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (or one large clove of garlic, squeezed through a garlic press)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained of pulp and seeds
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:  

In a medium bowl, mix turkey, olives, garlic, feta, red pepper flakes and oregano. Form into four patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Using the back of a spoon or your thumb, make a shallow indentation in the center of the burger to keep it from shrinking. 

Pre-heat grill to 400 degrees F. Place patties over direct heat and grill about 5 minutes per side, until cooked through and well browned. During the last 1 to 2 minutes place buns on the grill to toast. 

Assemble burger by placing arugula on top of bottom bun (this keeps the bun from getting soggy), then patty and sliced vegetables. Drizzle with Greek dressing and sprinkle on extra feta. Finish with top bun.

For the dressing: 

In a small bowl, mix garlic with oregano, salt and black pepper. Pour in the quarter cup of lemon juice and the olive oil. Whisk until combined. Store salad dressing in the fridge. (You can also do this in a sealable jar!)
Nutrition Facts-- Servings: 4 • Size: 1 burger • Calories: 301 • Fat:  17.6 g • Carbs: 5.7 g • Fiber: 1.4 g  • Protein: 34.7 g • Sugars: 2.2 g 

Ingredients

• 1 package (1.25 1lbs) ground turkey meat
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups of baby arugula
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• extra Feta for garnish

- See more at: http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2014/06/grilled-greek-turkey-burger.html#more

Ingredients

• 1 package (1.25 1lbs) ground turkey meat
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups of baby arugula
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• extra Feta for garnish

- See more at: http://www.virtuallyhomemade.com/2014/06/grilled-greek-turkey-burger.html#more