“Smashed” isn’t just the cooking method for this first burger for infants and toddlers; it also aptly describes the dinner-in-a-patty jam of ingredients. Avocado, black beans, mayonnaise–all come together to basically rocket launch your child’s interest and exploration in meat. It’s certainly the most involved, and quite possibly the best, (turkey) burger for infants and toddlers.
Yes, turkey burger. Sure, you could start with a hamburger patty with a generous meat-fat ratio (e.g., 75/25); you should definitely try that–after this one, is all. Because here’s the thing: this turkey burger is better. It’s more nutritiously dense; it’s healthier. It stays moist even when cooked past medium; it’s easy to eat. It tastes really, really good–like, the foie gras of toddler food good.
(Check out our other great toddler ground beef recipes and burger recipes! Check out our best tips for making great burgers here!)
This burger combines ground turkey with creamy avocado and refried black beans to create a rich, moist patty that’s easy for infants and toddlers to chew. A dollop of mayonnaise helps bind the mix and add healthy fats, while crushed Goldfish or Cheez-It crackers (or panko) give just enough texture to hold the patty together without becoming too dense. A squeeze of lime brightens the flavor, and garlic powder (or optional chives/cilantro) adds subtle seasoning suited to young taste buds.
Can I use whole black beans instead of refried beans?
A: Yes, simply rinse and drain about half a can of no-sodium black beans, warm them on low, drain excess liquid, and smash them into a paste. You may need to increase the mayonnaise slightly to maintain moistness since the texture differs from refried beans.
What if my toddler is not ready for a full bun?
A: Instead of a full bun, you can serve the patty open-faced on one half of a toasted roll, or simply serve the patty alone with soft veggie sides. Cutting the patty into toddler-friendly bite-sized pieces ensures easier handling and safer self-feeding.
Can I swap the turkey for other meats or plant-based proteins?
A: Absolutely. Ground chicken or a higher-fat ground beef (≈ 75/25) can be used; just adjust cooking times accordingly. If switching to poultry, keep the binder ingredients the same (avocado + beans + mayo) to ensure moistness. For plant-based alternatives, ensure the binder mix grips the patty so it holds together during cooking.
A smashed turkey burger that is easy for an infant to eat and will make you happy, too.
Place refried beans in a large(r) bowl. Crumble the crackers (or scatter the breadcrumbs) over the top of the beans, then unpeel and de-pit the avocado, placing all that green goodness over the top. Add the turkey meat, a dollop of mayo, and a generous shake of each of the seasonings you are using. If your child is around or over one year of age, add a splash of soy sauce, too.
Mash the ingredients with your hands or a spoon so that the avocado is broken up and mixed in and everything is all melded together–you should have a light pink mix with a look and texture not unlike tuna fish salad. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to cohere.
Heat a large pan w/cooking oil to Medium High. When the pan is hot, place a large spoonful of the meat mixture into the pan and spread so that it forms a patty shape; repeat until the pan is full but meat is not touching, roughly about 4-5 patties. Swish the oil around the pan and smash the patties down with a spatula to flatten.
Cook for two minutes, smashing repeatedly; flip, then cook for another two minutes--smashing once or twice--until golden brown on both sides.
For an infant, spritz with a bit of lime, and cut into quarters to cool down. For a toddler, place patty on a bun, and cut down size of bun or patty to match the right portion size for your child; place favored condiments on top of patty and smash the top bun onto the whole thing to compress. Serve with veggie tots or small wedges of roasted potatoes.
Lots of ways to adapt this one as your child grows. The obvious one: as your kiddo’s teeth come in and his/her ability to eat heftier and more textured food increases, you can decrease the mayo and/or avocado to create a firmer patty. In the meantime, you can also swap out about half the mayo and add in cauliflower rice (whatever I have left over in a bag from other uses)--same moistness, less fat. You can use this recipe to introduce the rest of the burger lexicon: buns, cheese, condiments, etc. Heck, swap out the bird: replace the turkey with ground chicken!
Servings 5
Serving Size 1 three ounce patty
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Don't want to use refried beans? Sure. Just use 1/4th of a can of no-sodium black beans. Rinse and dry the black beans and heat in a small pot on Low until warm. Remove from heat, drain excess liquid from the beans. When cool, place in a large bowl and smash them until flat and paste-like; mix in remaining ingredients as listed in the instructions. You may need to add a little more mayonnaise than listed to compensate for the lack of the lard in the refried beans.
** You can make a crispier/smashier burger by cooking at High heat for two minutes a side--just know your pan will need to be oiled up throughout the cook in order to avoid the burger sticking to the pan.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
