Counteract Dry Turkey Burger Patties With A Creamy Aioli

Turkey burgers can be a great alternative to traditional ground beef. Turkey has less saturated fat than ground beef, which means it's a good choice if you're looking for something heart-healthy. With that said, there are key flavor differences between ground beef and ground turkey, with the latter generally being a little dryer than a beef burger. Plus, turkey burgers are poultry and have to be cooked thoroughly, which gives them a chance to get even dryer on the grill. If you realize your turkey burgers didn't turn out as moist as you'd hoped, there's an easy fix: Just add some aioli to that burger, and you're good to go.

You can purchase different types of aioli right in the condiment aisle of the grocery store these days, but if you have the means to make your own, the flavor will almost certainly be better than anything you'd get out of a bottle.

Since dry turkey burgers are hard to avoid, the aioli will create a creamy contrast that sort of tricks our taste buds into not noticing that dry patty. Turkey burgers can be loaded with flavor if they're properly seasoned and prepared, but the aioli will help out with that, too.

Traditionally, aioli is made by emulsifying garlic and olive oil. However, over time, the name has also come to represent any sort of flavored mayonnaise. For the purpose of making it yourself, you can go the traditional route, or if you want to keep things simple with a flavored mayo, that will also taste great on the burger. If you plan to use mayonnaise as the base, try cutting it with a little sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. The tang will help cut the richness of the mayo. From there, add anything you want; you can dice up a chipotle pepper, add a little sriracha for a spicy mayo, or add some fresh garlic for a garlic mayo. Season the mayo, too — don't forget to add salt and pepper, plus any other spices you might want. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice wouldn't hurt, either, depending on the type of sauce you're making.

The aioli is a great way to prevent any dryness from coming through, but in terms of flavor, there are other things you can do, too. If you're making the burgers yourself, get creative with herbs and seasonings. You can add things like fresh parsley to the patties, or even chopped onions, minced garlic, or chopped peppers — all of these will add a little texture along with flavor. Keep your aioli in mind when making the burgers; bell peppers pair well with a spicy aioli, and if you're making a garlic aioli, maybe avoid adding any more garlic to the burgers.

When shaping the patties, season the meat a little while beforehand; form the patties with the seasonings and other ingredients and let the mixture sit for an hour to help impart some flavor into the meat. You can cook the burgers over the grill, or if you're using the stovetop, melt a little salted butter in a pan for even more flavor. Make sure to let the meat rest after they're done cooking, so the juices can redistribute. This will help with both flavor and prevent a dry bite.