This Turkey Burger recipe with Goat Cheese and Citrus Maple Dijon dressing makes an easy turkey burger extra special and incredibly delicious! We like them over greens but would also be great served on a whole wheat bun with a veggie on the side!
Confession: This is actually my first ever turkey burger recipe.
So weird, right?
I mean, turkey burgers are one of my favorite Fix approved lunches and I swear they keep me more full than other kinds of proteins.
But I guess there are so many already FIXed recipes already out there that I love, I just haven’t gotten around to putting one up of my own.
And I guess my family kind of digs beef burgers, so I end up making them more often.
Plus turkey burgers can be a little…I don’t know…high maintenance? Compared to my no-frills beef burger (olive oil and salt are the only ingredients I use) anyway. There’s usually more mixing and chopping involved .
But these are definitely an exception to that. They are SO, SO simple, but the addition of the warmed goat cheese and the citrusy-maple Dijon sauce make them feel incredibly special.
The idea for this one came from a Bobby Flay recipe that I saw on the Food Network…I swear he is the burger guru. Everything I have learned about how to make a good burger came from him.
And these are no exception.
If it’s nice out, you can totally grill these outside. But since it’s March in PA and our weather hasn’t gotten the hint that it’s spring, I made them indoors in my cast iron pan.
You could serve these burgers on FIX approved buns, but both my husband and I ate them over the arugula for a nice dose of leafy greens. The flavor combo pairs perfectly! If you end up using bread, be sure you count some yellow.
Either way, they won’t disappoint! If you give them a try, be sure you let me know. I LOVE hearing from you!
What do I need to make this Turkey Burger Recipe?
For the dressing you will need:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 T maple syrup (or sub honey)
- 1 T fresh orange juice
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- salt and pepper
To make the burgers it is so simple! You will need:
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken
- 2/3 cup crumbly goat cheese (I used the honey goat cheese from Aldi)
- salt and pepper
Why don’t you count the Citrus Maple Dijon dressing as an Orange container?
This dressing does not have any oil or “healthy fat” that the orange container requires. Most of the ingredients are “free” on the FIX. I do count it as 1 1/2 Sweetener TSP (see below) per serving because of the maple syrup.
What is a sweetener teaspoon?
While on the 21 Day Fix/Ultimate Portion Fix Autumn gives us clear rules about what we can use our teaspoons on- oils, nut butters, mayo, and butter. BUT in the “tea and coffee bar” section of the program materials, Autumn says you can have 1-2 tsp of things like maple syrup or honey in 1-2 cups of coffee per day.
She does not, however, count these sweeteners in her recipes. I have begun to note it in my newer recipes because I think it’s important to keep in mind. While there’s a little bit of gray area here, I am hoping this provides some clarification. So, since I only use the tiniest bit of sweetener in my coffee each morning, I’m comfortable using some of the “leftover” sweetener teaspoons throughout my day.
What can I serve with this Turkey Burger Recipe?
What can I serve with this Turkey Burger Recipe?We love it over arugula- so yummy and a nice dose of greens! You can also use a whole wheat bun and put a little bit of arugula right on the bun. Here are some other delicious side ideas:
Easy Gluten-free Mediterranean Chickpea Salad | 21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers | 2B Mindset
21 Day Fix Mexican Street Corn Salad
Delicata Squash Fries [Oven | AirFryer ]
Cucumber-Cantaloupe Salad {21 Day Fix}
Looking for more light fare and summer favorites? Check these out:
Healthy Instant Pot Summer Recipes | 21 Day Fix | Weight Watchers
21 Day Fix Spinach and Strawberry Caprese Salad
21 Day Fix Instant Pot Maple BBQ Chicken (Slow Cooker Option)
Turkey Burgers with Goat Cheese and Citrus Maple Dijon
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sub honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper
Burger
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken
- 2/3 cup crumbly goat cheese I used the honey goat cheese from Aldi
- Salt and pepper
- Arugula or mixed greens
Instructions
Citrus Maple Dijon
- In a small bowl whisk together the mustard, maple syrup, orange juice, lemon and orange zest, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and add more maple syrup if desired.
Burgers
- Preheat the grill to high or an oiled grill pan/cast iron pan to medium high.
- Form the meat into four, 4-ounce burgers. Sprinkle the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Grill until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- During the last minute of cooking, add goat cheese to each burger, cover the grill/pan with foil and let the cheese soften slightly, about 1 minute.
- Place cooked burgers on a bed of arugula and drizzle each one with about 1 1/2 Tbsp of the Maple Citrus Dijon. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Chelsea says
This dressing is to die for and so simple! I love how much flavor it has with minimal ingredients. I used a blood orange hybrid from my neighbors tree and omg so good! I tossed the dressing with arugula and put the turkey burger on top. Easy, healthy, delicious lunch. I meal prepped this and plan to add orange supremes to my salad tomorrow. Can’t wait for lunch.
Nancylynn says
Ooooh wow, yum!
Karen says
How much dressing do you use for one serving?
Nancylynn says
About 1 1/2 Tbsp
Chrystal says
My kids called my sliders “meatballs” and my Husband really liked it (he pitched in my cooking the burgers). I didn’t have any goat cheese,but discussed it at the table and we all decided to try that next time. I loved this dressing! I liked that this only took me 15 minutes to prepare ahead of time and put in the fridge before swim team practice.
Nancylynn says
Ahh love this one for a busy night! Can’t wait for you to try them with goat cheese – you will fall in love all over again!
Janis Pinto says
Love it! Dressing is so delicious and light.
Nancylynn says
Totally agree! The dressing is so yummy!
Valerie says
This was fantastic!! Satisfied my cravings to leave winter food behind. Add on that it was super fast to pull together and had big flavours, we will be making this one again!!!
Liz says
This was delicious! My family is on the new path to healthy eating. We aren’t doing 21 day fix- but I have done it before and I felt the best when I was following that meal plan. I have to admit that I “cheated” a bit with the recipe bc my family is so fresh to healthy choices. 🙂 I doubled the recipe and used 1lb very lean ground turkey and 1lb 90/10 ground sirloin. I added a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, one egg white, and some Worcestershire sauce and made 6 large patties. I loved the creaminess of the goat cheese with the flavor of the sauce. I served with confession of a fit foodie’s chickpea salad (another excellent recipe) and some breaded zucchini slices cooked in ninja foodi. Unfortunately, the cheese and honey Dijon sauce wasn’t a hit with the rest of my family, but I thought it was wonderful.
cathy says
Do you count the dressing as an orange?
Abey says
I was wondering this same thing!
Nancylynn says
Hi ladies! Sorry this took me so long to respond to, but I actually don’t…there is no oil in the dressing, so it doesn’t give you the healthy fat that you need with an orange container. Make sense?
Gianna says
I have made this recipe so many times and it is just to die for. My husband says it is his favorite meal. I like to add a half cup of chickpeas and some roasted cauliflower, but I know that isn’t strictly fix approved.
Nancylynn says
Oh – that sounds delish and would totally be FIX approved! I am so happy you and your husband love this recipe…that’s just awesome! Thanks for making my day!
Melissa says
Is the dressing ok to store in the fridge if I want to make this for my lunches for the week?
Nancylynn says
YES! <3
Erin says
We made these tonight and they were AMAZING!! My husband said I could make this meal multiple times a week. Looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow!!!
Nancylynn says
Awesome, Erin! <3 <3 <3
Meg says
We have made this no less than 10 times. So delicious!! It’s been our go to dinner for grilling get together and everyone asks for the recipe.
Nancylynn says
That is SO awesome, Meg!! Thanks so much for sharing and making my night!! Love that you can serve such a healthy dish when you have company! <3 <3 <3
Julie Lease says
These were DELICIOUS! And so simple.
Nancylynn says
Thank you!! So happy you liked them!!
Laura says
If someone were to have a strong disdain for goat cheese, what would be a good replacement? Maybe feta?…asking for a friend 😉
Nancylynn says
Lol! This made me laugh! Feta would work – or even a sharp cheddar!
Lynda Christian says
Looking for gulentin free no red meats and about 1000 calories, Love green smoothies gained 70lbs broke my back, and had strerio shots and gained the weight, starting to go back to gym, and working out at home, the only time I ‘m hungry is at night after, 7:30pm. Need help. Thanks Lyn Christian
Nancylynn says
I’m not sure how to help here – have you consulted your doctor? 1000 calories seems too low!
Candice says
How does the meat stick together in a pattie without eggs or anything?
Nancylynn says
They just do! I promise 🙂