APPLE BACON FETA TURKEY SLIDERS

Estimated Time: 45 minutes

1 pound extra-lean ground turkey (or lean ground beef)

2 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

½ cup finely diced apple

¼ cup finely diced sweet onion

⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese

4 tablespoons low-sugar maple syrup (or low-sugar barbecue sauce)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon poultry seasoning, optional

9 whole grain buns, sandwich thins, or lettuce wraps, optional, for serving

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl mix the turkey, bacon, apples, onions, feta, syrup (or barbecue sauce), salt, pepper, garlic powder, and optional poultry seasoning together until combined. (I like to use my hands to mix everything well.) Scoop ¼ cup of the meat mixture and form into 9 mini sliders. Place the sliders on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the centers of the burgers are no longer pink or a meat thermometer reaches a minimum of 165 degrees. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the burgers rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve on a whole grain bun, sandwich thin, or lettuce wrap if desired.

Yields 9 Servings

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 100 calories; 5 grams fat; 2 grams carbohydrates; 0.5 grams fiber; 1 gram sugar; 12 grams protein

Apple, bacon, and feta cheese were destined to be married together in one recipe. Add the sweetness of maple syrup (or honey or barbecue sauce) and you have a sweet and salty explosion of flavors bursting in your mouth with these moist and flavorful turkey sliders.