Best Lamb Burger With Chunky Mint Tzatziki Serious Eats Recipes

GREEK LAMB BURGERS

Greek Lamb Burgers image

Do something different on burger night...go Greek! These Greek lamb burgers are juicy, flavorful and super easy to make. The secret is in the meat mixture, combining aromatics with spices like oregano, earthy cumin, and paprika, plus a generous does of fresh mint and parsley. Unexpected, yet super homey and familiar! Looking for sides and salads to serve along? Check the post above.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories Entree

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

2 lb ground lamb Or a combination of lamb and beef (see cook's tip #1)
1 small red onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
10 mint leaves, chopped
2 ½ tsp dry oregano
2 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
Kosher salt and black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil (I used Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil)
Warm Greek pita bread or buns
Homemade Tztaziki sauce
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced Green bell pepper
Sliced cucumbers
Sliced red onions
Pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
Crumbled feta

Steps:

Heat an outdoor gas grill or an indoor griddle to medium (if working with an indoor griddle or skillet, you can just heat it once you prepare the meat mixture).
Add the ground lamb (or mix of lamb and beef) to a mixing bowl. Add grated onions, garlic, fresh herbs, oregano, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and mix until everything is well combined.
Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal balls. Using both hands, work meat into smooth spheres, then lightly press to form into patties. Arrange the patties on a large tray or dish, and with the tip of your thumb, press lightly to form a shallow, somewhat wide, depression into the center of each patty. (see cook's tip #2 below) Cover and refrigerate, if you have the time.
Lightly oil the grill grates (or indoor griddle) and arrange the burger patties on top. Grill over medium heat, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once midway through cooking (internal temperature for a medium burger should register 160 degrees F. Adjust cooking time according to your desired doneness.)
Allow the lamb burgers to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve in pita pockets (or buns), with tztaziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions. If you like add kalamata olives and a sprinkle of feta.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Lamb Burger Patty, Calories 320 calories, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 143.2 mg, Fat 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 15.1 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 23.6 g, Cholesterol 33.9 mg

LAMB BURGERS WITH MINTED TZATZIKI

Lamb Burgers with Minted Tzatziki image

Make and share this Lamb Burgers with Minted Tzatziki recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Diana Adcock

Categories Lamb/Sheep

Time 24m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs ground lamb
1 teaspoon cumin
1 small white onion, grated
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 beaten egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
4 pita bread, halves
2 cups plain yogurt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 English cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
1/4 cup minced white onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup chopped of fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon pepper
salt
shredded lettuce
sliced tomatoes
cucumber
onion

Steps:

For the mint tzatziki blend the yogurt with the oil and lemon juice.
Add the cucumber, onion, garlic, mint, and pepper.
Taste and add salt.
Cover and refrigerate while preparing the lamb burgers.
Preheat grill to medium high.
In a large bowl, combine lamb and remaining ingredients.
Form into 12 small patties around 3/4 of an inch thick.
Place on hot grill and cook 5 minutes on the first side, four on the other.
You want the outside nicely browned with a bit of pink remaining in the middle.
Serve three each in a pita half with the shredded lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion.
Offer the Minted Tzatziki at the table.