Lunch: Banh Mi Turkey Burgers

Recipe by Lauren Miyashiro This turkey burger is anything but boring.

Ingredients

1 carrot, sliced into matchsticks
1 cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
1/4 c. rice vinegar
1/4 c. water
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. sugar (divided)
kosher salt
1 lb. ground turkey
2 tbsp. Sriracha (divided)
1 tbsp. fish sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 tbsp. sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
4 brioche hamburger buns
Cilantro leaves (optional)

Instructions

Make the pickled vegetables. In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, carrot, jalapeño slices and 1 tablespoon salt. Add vinegar, water, 1 and tbsp. sugar. Mix until combined and chill until ready to serve.
Prepare the turkey burgers. In a medium bowl combine the turkey, 1 tablespoon of Sriracha, cornstarch, fish sauce, 1 tsp. sugar, garlic and scallions. Be careful not to overmix. Season meat with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into four equal patties.
Make the spicy mayo. Mix together mayonnaise and remaining Sriracha, adding more hot sauce if desired.
Cook the burgers. Heat sesame oil (or vegetable oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the burgers, flipping once, until cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. If the bottom of the burgers start to brown too much, add a splash of water to the pan and cover.
To serve, top each brioche bun with a burger patty, a generous slathering of spicy mayo and a scoopful of pickled vegetables. Garnish with cilantro leaves, if desired.