McDonald’s has the Big Mac.
McDowell’s had the Big Mic.
In our house, we have the Big Mike. (I wanted to call it the Big Mock, but someone vetoed that in favor of the eponymous moniker. You have to pick your battles, folks.)
One all-turkey patty, special sauce (let’s be honest, McDonald’s, we all know it’s Thousand Island), lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion (chopped, caramelized, and incorporated with the turkey meat, but you can also add your own raw if you like)… on a whole wheat bun.
For those of you in the “toasty buns” camp (that’s me), this is the BEST way to toast your buns. Basically, leave the grill for your burgers. To toast your buns to buttery amazingness, get out your skillet. (This is how restaurants do it – on the griddle.)
Yurm. Happy summer.
“THE BIG MIKE” REALLY AWESOME TURKEY BURGER (pdf)
Serves 4
- 2 T butter, divided
- 1 sweet onion, finely chopped, divided
- 1 package lean ground turkey
- 1/4 C barbecue sauce
- Hamburger buns
- 4 slices of cheese (we use Colby Jack)
- Dill pickle chips
- Shredded lettuce
- Thousand Island dressing
- Salt & pepper
Melt 1 T butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 the chopped onion and cook until caramelized. (Reserve the other half to use raw for topping the burgers, if that’s your jam. Personally I’m not into the raw onion, but I have the palate of an eight-year-old. Raw onion bad. Tastes sting-y.) In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion with the turkey meat, as well as salt & pepper to taste. Use your fingers to fully incorporate the onion into the meat, then form into 4 patties.
Grill patties until cooked through (they should feel firm when pressed lightly with your finger), brushing lightly with barbecue sauce on both sides. Add cheese slices on top and allow to melt.
Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 T butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place buns cut side down and cook (as you would a grilled cheese) until cut side is golden brown. Top buns with burgers, pickles, lettuce, onion, and dressing.
xoxo,
