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Community Corner

Hoisin Turkey Burgers with Hoisin Chili Sauce

A little sauce and some vegetables spice up a regular turkey burger.

A stroll down the international foods aisle of your grocery store will introduce you to a world of new flavors and tastes. I was first introduced to hoisin sauce in cooking school where my instructor brushed it generously over chicken before baking it. One taste of that chicken and I was hooked on the rich, slightly sweet and salty sauce that I wanted to put on everything.

If you’ve ever enjoyed Peking Duck, it’s hoisin sauce that gives the dish its distinct flavor. Hoisin sauce is a Chinese condiment made of soy bean paste, garlic, vinegar and spices and it’s far tastier than its ingredients may sound. It’s typically sold in small jars, but it has a very big flavor—a little goes a long way.

In this recipe, hoisin sauce turns ground turkey—which can be bland if not properly seasoned—into a flavorful and mouthwatering dish. Combining hoisin sauce with the Thai sweet chili sauce, which is also readily available in most markets, adds another layer of flavor. Thai sweet chili sauce is slightly spicy, so add more or less to suit your tastes. 

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Makes four burgers.

 

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For Burgers:

1 pound ground turkey

1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped

½ cup baby spinach, finely chopped

¼ cup hoisin sauce

¼ teaspoon salt

Pinch pepper

4 Sandwich rounds or hamburger buns

Additional baby spinach, optional

For Hoisin Chili Sauce:

¼ cup hoisin sauce

2-3 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce

 

Prepare the burgers:

Combine the turkey, carrots, spinach, hoisin sauce, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use clean hands or a sturdy spatula to mix the ingredients until the vegetables and sauce are evenly distributed. Shape the turkey into four patties.

Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush the pan lightly with oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the patties to the hot grill pan and cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the sauce:

Stir together the hoisin sauce and the sweet chili sauce in a small bowl. You can add more chili sauce, to taste.

Assemble the burgers:

Line the bottom of the sandwich rounds or buns with baby spinach. Top with one burger and a spoonful of hoisin chili sauce. Top with the remaining sandwich round or bun and serve.

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