GREEK-STYLE LAMB BURGERS WITH CREAMY TZATZIKI SAUCE

Greek-Style Lamb Burgers with Creamy Tzatziki Sauce image

Homemade tzatziki sauce is the ultimate summer condiment.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup grated English cucumber
1 clove garlic, grated
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh dill
Finely grated zest 1/2 medium lemon
Juice from 1/2 medium lemon
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves, divided
1 1/4 pounds ground lamb
1/4 cup grated red onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves, or 2 teaspoons dried
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons olive oil, if cooking on the stoveop
2 pita pockets, halved, or 4 hamburger buns, warmed
Green leaf lettuce
Thinly sliced red onion
Tomato slices
Crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

Make the tzatziki: Place 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup grated cucumber, 1 grated garlic clove, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, and finely grated zest and juice from 1/2 lemon in a medium bowl. Chop until you have 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped mint leaves; place 1 tablespoon with the yogurt mixture, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine to make the tzatziki. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons mint in a large bowl for the burgers.
Make the burgers: Add the 1 1/4 pounds ground lamb, 1/4 cup grated red onion, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried), 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the mint in the large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix with your hands until just combined. Form into 4 (6-ounce) patties that are about 1-inch thick and set aside.
Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat, or for the stovetop, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season the lamb burgers on both sides with more salt. Grill or sear on the stovetop until browned, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let the patties rest 6 to 8 minutes before assembling. Meanwhile, wash and dry some green leaf lettuce, slice up some red onion and tomatoes, and crumble some feta cheese for the burgers.
Place some lettuce and red onion in each pita pocket or on the bottom half of each hamburger bun. Top each with a lamb patty, tzatziki sauce, tomato, and feta cheese.