Best Lamb Burgers With Caramelized Red Onions Mayoli And Feta Recipes

GREEK LAMB BURGERS

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.

LAMB BURGERS WITH CHARRED TOMATOES AND FETA

Steps:

• Add the cumin, coriander, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, cinnamon and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a small bowl and stir to combine. Add the ground lamb to a large bowl and break up slightly with a fork. Add the spice mixture to the lamb and using clean hands, mix the meat so the spice mixture is evenly dispersed. Form the meat into 4 equal size patties to fit the size of the buns.
• Brush the grates of an outdoor grill with oil and preheat to medium-high. On one side of the grill add the burgers and cook until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the burgers to a plate. Once you remove the burgers, place the buns, cut side- down on the grill to lightly toast, about 2 minutes.
• To assemble burgers: Lay buns on a clean work surface, cut side-up. Spread the Tzatziki Sauce evenly on the top and bottom halves of the buns. Place a patty on each of the bottom buns and top with Charred Tomatoes and Feta. Place the top buns on and serve.
• Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Using clean hands, squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the cucumber. Add it to a small bowl and stir in the sour cream, dill, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Add the tomatoes to a large bowl and place the onions on top. Add the olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and, using clean hands, rub the onions so they are coated in olive oil, but try to keep them intact in their rings. Lay the onions on a plate or rimmed baking sheet. The residual salt and oil will have dripped down to the tomatoes, so give them a slight toss to coat them. Skewer the tomatoes on a metal or wood skewer. This will help them not fall through the grates of the grill. (If using a wood skewer then be sure to soak in water for 30 minutes before using.)
• Brush the grates of an outdoor grill with oil and preheat to medium-high. Add the onions and tomatoes and grill until the onions are charred in places and the tomatoes are slightly bursting, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the onions and tomatoes and add to a medium bowl. Using kitchen shears, roughly cut up the onions and tomatoes. Add the crumbled feta and toss to combine. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED LAMB BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Make the onions:
• In a 3-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and salt, toss to combine, and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring several times to ensure that the onion does not stick to the pan. Add the beer, stir, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. If the onion is deeply caramelized and the liquid has mostly evaporated, it's perfection. If not, cook for a few minutes more. Set aside.
• Make the burgers:
• In a large bowl, combine the lamb, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, and mint. Mix well. Set aside 4 tablespoons of the lamb mixture and divide the remaining lamb into four equal portions. Shape them into patties slightly larger than the width of the burger bun. Using your thumb, make a well in the center of each patty, going halfway through the lamb.
• Divide the goat cheese into four portions and place them in the thumb divots. Flatten each tablespoon of reserved burger mixture into a disc and place on top of the goat cheese. Pinch the edges to encase the cheese in the lamb. Season both sides of each patty with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Fry the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness.
• Place the burgers on the buns and top each with 1 tablespoon mayo, some caramelized onions, bacon, and 1/4 cup arugula.