Healthy Food Review: Trader Joe's Pesto Parmesan Turkey Burger

Turkey is no jive as a healthier meat option. Turkey meat tends to be leaner than beef but doesn't taste much like chicken, either. The problem with turkey meat is that when you try to use it as a substitute for something that SHOULD be beef, i.e. burgers, it just doesn't taste right. That is, until you try Trader Joe's Pesto Parmesan Turkey Burgers. These aren't just some throw-away alternative to beef burgers. Pesto Parmesan Turkey Burgers will satisfy your stomach just the same.

Ingredients. Trader Joe's incorporates extremely salivating amounts of peso, garlic and parmesan cheese to flavor up white turkey meat. The only additive is natamycin, but it is a natural additive used to keep fungus from growing on your food. Trader Joe's tends to pick products that lean towards healthier eating, and these Pesto Parmesan Turkey Burgers are no exception. There's no sugar, only two grams of carbohydrates and 18 grams of fat in each serving. For every patty you eat, you're getting 260 calories. Throw in some healthy lettuce, pita bread and light mayo; you'll have a decent-sized lunch. Even the sodium content is limited to about 25 percent of the daily recommended amount.

Preparation. Cooking is real easy. You can cook them frozen on a hot grill for about six minutes per side. Knock that down to four minutes if you've defrosted the turkey burgers already. Broiling takes about seven minutes before you turn them over and cook for another three. If you choose to pan fry them, just lightly oil your cooking skillet and do each side for four minutes. I prefer the grill, especially during the summer, because turkey burgers are great with grilled vegetables and a little hickory smoke.

Taste. These turkey burgers are indeed tasty. The patties are a little small for my liking- almost four ounces apiece- but the individual servings are great for kids or if you're trying to cut back on portion sizes. Maybe they're too small for me because every bite is just full of flavor. You hardly recognize the turkey with such attention to the pesto and parmesan combo, yet you aren't overcome with spices. I found myself craving another patty as soon as I finished the first one.

Trader Joe's Pesto Parmesan Turkey Burgers come four to a pack. My local Trader Joe's sells them for around $5 a box. If you are like me and enjoy a burger, I'd recommend buying at least two boxes for a family of four.