Serve these spiced lamb burgers at a summer BBQ. They've got a warm Middle Eastern spice and are topped with a deconstructed tzatziki sauce for a refreshing summer meal. Or try this Grilled Lamb Steak with Asparagus.
[This recipe was originally posted in August 2019. It has been updated with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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[This post was sponsored by lamb producers from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. I have been compensated for my time commitment.
However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments]
Table of contents
I'll be honest, I didn't always love lamb.
But after eating lamb in Iceland last summer, and then trying so many different lamb dishes on my sponsored trip to New Orleans with Nourish with Lamb, I’m excited to share that I’m now a lamb lover.
Many cuts are simple to prepare, and once you understand the flavor profile & which flavors and spices go well with it, lamb is a simple and delicious protein source. I talk about flavors that go well with lamb right here.
Besides, every protein source has a different nutritional make-up, and eating a variety of protein sources is a healthful habit.
Lamb Nutrition
A 3 oz serving of lamb provides about 5 times the amount of the essential omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), compared to a 3-oz. serving of beef.
Lamb is also an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, and selenium and a good source of iron and riboflavin.
Have a Potluck!
It's important to include social eating when you're cooking for one most nights. For that reason I try to have a monthly dinner party potluck. I usually make a simple main dish and ask friends to bring sides that will go great with that main.
These lamb burgers are so easy and packed with flavor, they'll definitely be a crowd pleaser. Plus it'll allow your guests to bring simple sides like fries, fruit, corn, sliced veggies, or whatever they want.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the lamb burgers recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Ground Lamb: Use whatever kind you can find, and is most affordable. If you're using extra lean ground lamb, I'd recommend adding ½ teaspoon neutral oil to the mixture so it doesn't dry out when cooking.
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Salt, pepper
- Shallot: Instead of adding garlic and onion, just add some minced shallot.
- Breadcrumbs: Plain breadcrumbs will help hold your formed burgers together.
- Oil
- Plain Yogurt: This is the base for your tzatziki sauce. You can use regular yogurt or Greek yogurt for a thicker sauce.
- Garlic Salt
- Mint: Fresh mint adds lots of herby flavor to this sauce, use it fresh, if you can
- Lemon Juice: Adds zing to really make your tzatziki sauce pop!
- Hamburger Buns: choose your favorite type of hamburger buns for these burgers. I'd keep them simple though.
- Tomato, Cucumber: I prefer tomato and cucumber as toppings, but add whatever you prefer, like lettuce, onion, etc.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Start making your lamb burgers by mixing spices, minced shallot, and breadcrumbs into ground lamb. The breadcrumbs will help bind the spices and lamb together without changing the texture.
2. Once meat mixture is well combined, divide meat into 4-6 portions.
3. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it until it's about ¼ inch bigger than the circumference of your hamburger bun. This way your patty will be about the same size of your bun once it's cooked.
4. Place each patty on a hot grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet. Cook first side for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4-6 minutes. Cook to 155 degrees and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
5. While your lamb burgers are cooking, make tzatziki sauce by adding mint, lemon juice, and garlic salt to plain yogurt, mix together well.
6. Thinly slice cucumbers and tomato, set aside.
7. To assemble your burgers, place a slice of tomato on bottom bun, then lamb burger patty, top patty with about a tablespoon (or more!) of tzatziki, and then a couple slices of cucumber on top of that. Place top bun and enjoy.
Storage/Reheating Tips
Store cooked lamb burgers in an airtight container, for about a week. You can also store premade tzatziki sauce for about 3-5 or so days. Store hamburger buns and vegetable toppings separately until use.
To reheat burgers, microwave, covered to maintain moisture.
Substitutions/Tips
- If you're using extra lean ground lamb, add ½ tablespoon oil so burgers bind well and don't dry out.
- Cook to 155 degrees and let it rest for a few minutes before serving, this will allow your burgers to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees which is recommended by the USDA
- The tzatziki is pretty thin, if you'd rather have it less messy/drippy, use Greek yogurt instead of regular.
- Other great toppings for your lamb burger: sliced red onion, feta cheese to make a lamb and feta burger, or a pinch of kosher salt.
FAQ
I like to serve french fries (if it's a small party) or chips, veggie sticks, and seasonal fruit like watermelon with my burgers. You can also pair the lamb burgers with a simple green salad, fruit salad, coleslaw, or anything else.
Lamb and beef have different flavor profiles, so one isn't better than the other. Lamb tends to have a bolder flavor than beef. I recommend changing the spices you use to enhance the flavors of lamb or beef when you cook.
Invest in a simple thermometer. This way you can quickly see when your meat is done, without having to guess or slice it open before serving.
Ways to repurpose these ground lamb patties
If you make more than your party eats, or if you want a burger or a few for you I'd recommend:
- Lamb burger salad. Add whatever veggies you have on hand, a heated patty, bulgur or another grain, and the tzatziki as a salad dressing. This is a great bring to work lunch or quick dinner.
- Lamb pita pizza. Chop up the lamb patty, chop up leftover veggies, add some mozzarella or other mild cheese and broil. Drizzle tzatziki over pizza.
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Yogurt: Overnight Oats with Yogurt, Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts, Triple Berry Smoothie with Granola.
- Breadcrumbs: Pan Seared Pork Chop and One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Mint: Frozen Greek Yogurt with Cherry Concentrate
- Lemon Juice: Sparkling Berry Lemonade, Lemon Carbonara, Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, and Arugula Basil Pesto.
- Hamburger Buns: Chicken Burgers
- Tomato: Tomato and Cucumber Salad, top your Refried Bean Tacos, or Egg-less Potato Salad.
- Cucumber: Carrot Cucumber Salad or Apple Cucumber Salad.
Did you make these lamb burgers? leave me a comment & rating to share how they turned out!
Spiced Lamb Burgers
Equipment
- grill or grill pan
- Measuring Spoons
- mixing bowls
- spatula
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 heaping teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- ¼ cup bread crumbs
- ½ tablespoon mild oil I used grapeseed when I made it with extra lean ground lamb
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons thinly chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4-6 hamburger buns
- 1 whole beefsteak tomato sliced
- 1 whole cucumber sliced
Instructions
- Heat up grill or grill pan. To make the lamb patties, add 1 lb lamb, 1 heaping teaspoon each cumin and coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper, ¼ cup bread crumbs, & 1 tablespoon minced shallot to a large mixing bowl. (note: if using extra lean ground lamb, add ½ tablespoon oil to mixture). Mix everything together well until combined. Divide into 4 portions for 4 oz patties or 6 for 3 oz patties. Form patties, making them slightly bigger than bun size.
- Place each patty onto grill or grill pan. Cook first side for 4 minutes, flip patty and cook for 4-6 minutes on second side, or until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
. - While patties are cooking, prepare tzatziki sauce. Pour ½ cup plain yogurt into small mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon finely chopped mint leaves, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, & ½ teaspoon garlic salt to yogurt. Mix together. Refrigerate until serving.
- Assemble burgers by layering cucumbers, tomato, a lamb patty, and 1-2 tablespoon tzatziki sauce on hamburger buns. Include other toppings if desired.
Notes
- The tzatziki is pretty thin, so if you'd like a thicker sauce, use Greek yogurt instead.
- If using extra lean ground lamb, add ½ tablespoon of oil to patties.
- Make patties slightly larger than the size of the bun you plan on using so they don't shrink too small for your buns.
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Melissa Altman-Traub says
Shallots are a really good idea to add flavor without too strong of a taste from onions.
Rebecca says
agreed! I love the subtle flavor of them