Food Service 101: Opening Your Own Place

Pros And Cons Of Ordering A Turkey Burger At A Local Restaurant

Beef may be your meat of choice when you order handcrafted hamburgers, but many restaurants that specialize in burgers offer different types of meats. If you're someone who enjoys trying different foods, you may want to peruse the menu and consider a burger patty made of something else. Turkey is a common meat for burgers at many specialty restaurants, and this may appeal to you—especially if you enjoy eating turkey in other applications. Consider the following pros and cons of turkey burgers.

Pro: Lean Meat

Perhaps the biggest argument for eating a turkey burger at a local restaurant is the fact that this is a lean source of protein. If you're trying to watch your intake of calories, a beef burger may not appeal to you as much. Turkey contains far less fat than beef, so the former patty variation may be something that catches your eye as you browse the menu.

Con: Potential For Dryness

One of the things that help in the moistness of meat is fat, which means that lean meats can often have a dry consistency. A perfectly cooked turkey burger shouldn't be dry, but if the patty is left on the cooktop for even a small amount of time too long, there's a chance that it could taste dry. While moist burger toppings can help, a dry patty can affect your enjoyment of each bite.

Pro: Exposure To New Toppings

There's nothing wrong with ordering a turkey burger with conventional burger toppings on it—for example, some combination of lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and the usual condiments. However, you'll often find that restaurants that sell turkey burgers offer a variety of toppings that you may not have tried in this context. For example, a turkey burger may include unconventional toppings such as avocado, brie cheese, cucumbers, or sprouts. There's a good chance that you'll enjoy getting a chance to try these unique toppings on your turkey burger.

Con: Lack Of Flavor

Some people find that turkey doesn't have as rich a flavor as other types of meat, including beef. If you're someone who loves the idea of biting into a richly flavored patty, turkey may not be the best choice for you. However, it's important to realize that the lighter flavor of turkey can allow the unique toppings to really stand out. If the benefits of turkey burgers appeal to you, consider trying one the next time you dine at a burger restaurant.