This Turkey Burger with Bacon Jam is seasoned just right and comes out juicy and flavorful. The caramelized onion bacon jam brings this burger to another level. If you are a burger lover and bacon is on the top of your favorite food list, then you must try this burger, it is a delicious burger combination.
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In December, my boyfriend and I took a trip to Woodstock Vermont and stayed at the Woodstock Inn & Resort. What a gorgeous hotel, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. We got a bite to eat inside the hotel at the Red Rooster. We ordered the Rooster Burger, which was topped with bacon jam, it was delicious, sweet and savory, right then I knew I wanted to try and duplicate it.
This is my version of the Red Rooster burger with bacon jam. I changed it up a little to be healthier, I used ground turkey instead of beef. Yes, I know you’re probably laughing thinking healthy, with all that bacon? I did say I changed it just a little, lol. You can’t omit the best part… the bacon.
When I am trying to cut down on red meat, but I am craving a burger, a juicy turkey burger is the way to go. Turkey burgers have a bad reputation for being bland and dry, but my turkey burger recipe is anything but that.
The good news is that ground turkey has less fat than ground beef, but it does not have to have less taste! Seasoned the right way a turkey burger can be just as moist and delicious as a beef burger.
You will see after tasting this burger, that it will be your new go to burger. Want to add a healthy side with your turkey burger, try my Roasted Delicata Squash.
What is Bacon Jam?
Bacon Jam is a sweet and savory jam made from bacon, onions, brown sugar and other ingredients that when it all comes together the result is a sweet and salty jam perfect, for burgers, sandwiches and cheeses.
How to store Bacon Jam
You can store the bacon jam in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge up to one week. When ready to use, just microwave it a few seconds to loosen up the bacon fat.
What pairs well with Bacon Jam?
There are so many ways you can enjoy bacon jam.
– Add it to a grilled cheese sandwich or even a grilled chicken sandwich.
– Put it on top on a breakfast sandwich.
– Use it in a small bowl on a charcuterie board, it makes a great spread on crackers and goes well with cheese.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Lodge 12
ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking with Ambidextrous Backlit, Waterproof Kitchen Food BBQ Grill Smoker Oil Fry Candy Instant ReadUSA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, Warp Resistant Nonstick Baking Pan, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel 17 1/4 x12 1/4 x1
What you will need for this Turkey Burger with Bacon Jam
For the burger..
Ground Turkey – I use 94% lean. Don’t use 99% lean, you don’t want a dry burger.
Breadcrumbs – Seasoned breadcrumbs add flavor and keeps the patty together.
Egg – to add moisture to the patty.
Worcestershire Sauce – adds great flavor.
Dried Parsley – Adds an earthy flavor.
Cheese – You can use your favorite, American, cheddar, blue cheese, any cheese will go.
For the bacon jam..
Bacon – Regular slice bacon works well.
Onion – I recommend yellow or white onions. Using red will change the taste slightly.
Garlic – minced or chopped.
Brown sugar – light or dark will work.
Maple syrup – a good maple syrup is recommended.
Balsamic Vinegar – you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar.
Brewed Coffee – strong brewed coffee
Making the Bacon Jam
Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place the bacon in a single layer onto the baking pan. Cook for 30 minutes or until crispy. When the bacon is cooled, chop into small pieces. Reserve two tablespoons of bacon grease.
Finely chop the onion and garlic and saute in the bacon grease until soft and caramelized, about 7 minutes. Add vinegar, coffee, brown sugar, syrup, salt and pepper. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until it turns into a thick consistency.
Making the Patties
While the bacon is in the oven, I prepare my patties. I use ground turkey that is 93% lean. I cook the patties on each side for approximately 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees. You can check the temperature using an instant read thermometer to make sure they are cooked just right.
In a large bowl add the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Use to hands to mix well.
Divide mixture into four equal portions and make patties. With your thumb, make an indentation in the middle of the patty to prevent it from shrinking while cooking.
Place patties in a greased heated skillet, cook on each side for 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165F. Add cheese so it melts on the hot burger. Toast the buns, place y0ur burgers on the bun, top with bacon jam and any other topping of you choice. Enjoy!
Turkey Burger with Bacon Jam
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Ingredients for Bacon Jam
1 pound bacon
2 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
1 large yellow onion
1 clove chopped garlic
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup brewed coffee
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Ingredients for Turkey burger
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 egg
2 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Hamburger buns
Instructions
Directions for Bacon Jam
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1 – Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bacon in a single layer, bake for 30 minutes or until crispy.
2 – Place bacon on a plate lined with paper towel to soak up any additional grease. Reserve two tablespoons of bacon grease. When cooled fine chop bacon into small pieces.
3 – Add the reserved bacon grease to a large skillet, heat on medium low heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook until the onions are soft and carmelized, about 7 minutes.
4 – Stir in balsamic vinegar. Add brown sugar, salt, black pepper, maple syrup, chopped bacon and coffee, cook until jam turns into a thick consistency, about 10 to 12 minutes.
You can add a little water if jam seems too thick. Remove from heat.
Directions for Turkey Burger
1 – Place the ground turkey into a large bowl. Add in the egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.
2 – With your hands, gently mix until everything is well blended.
3 – Preheat a cast iron skillet, or stainless-steel skillet on medium heat. Add one tablespoon of olive oil.
4 – Divide the mixture into four equal portions. Form into patties. Using your thumb, make an indentation in the center of each burger to prevent shrinkage while cooking.
5 – Place patties into heated skillet, cook for 5 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160-165F. Add cheese so it melts onto the hot patty.
6 – Place your patty onto a bun, top with a large spoonful of warm bacon jam. Add whatever other toppings you like and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
