Turkey burgers on the grill. Photo: The Skinny Chef

Turkey burgers can be a great option for a high-protein, low-fat cookout. But what about their flavor, which often gets a bad rap for being overly dry and bland? My turkey burgers 101 guide will make your next barbecue both healthier and more delicious.

Dark or Light?

Not all ground turkey is created equal. Regular ground turkey -- labeled 93 percent lean -- is a combination of white and dark meat and sometimes contains other parts of the turkey, including skin and organ meat. Look for statements like "98 to 99 percent fat free" or check the label for calorie and fat content to make sure you're getting the lean stuff.

Get Jennifer's no-fail turkey burger tips after the jump.

The Moist Maker

When I make burgers and meatballs with ground turkey, I always add something that can bring moisture to the meat. Since most lean ground turkey is so low in fat, it can quickly dry out before it's cooked all the way through on the grill.

For one pound of turkey, add 1 cup of breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup skim milk or 1 cup of grated zucchini with 2 tablespoons of steak sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Or try one 10-ounce package of mushrooms chopped with 1/2 chopped onion, mushrooms and a handful of breadcrumbs to keep the burgers moist as the protein firms.

Flavor Savor

Don't be shy about burger toppings. If you're worried that your turkey burger might turn out bland, top it with some bold salsa that can also do double duty as a flavor enhancer and as your daily serving of fruit or veggies. There are plenty of condiments to choose from. Consider guacamole, grapefruit olive salsa, tomato cantaloupe salsa or pineapple salsa.

Best Buns

Want to get more whole grains in? Just choose the right buns. The first ingredient should have the word "whole" in it, as in whole wheat, whole oats or whole spelt. The word "whole" plus the type of flour should be the only flour listed on the label. Enriched wheat flour isn't really 100 percent wheat; it's wheat flour that has been partially stripped of bran and then had vitamins re-added. The shorter the ingredient list, the better when it comes to packaged breads. Take a peek before you get in the checkout line.

Learn more about Jennifer at skinnychef.com, and read her exclusive Slashfood blogs every Monday and Friday.