Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (2024)

  • Burgers
  • Sauces
  • Ground Lamb

Mix up your cookout with this easy summer recipe. Grilled lamb burgers with homemade tzatziki cucumber sauce will impress your guests.

By

Sabrina Modelle

Sabrina Modelle

Sabrina has been a professional recipe developer for ten years and has been published in magazines and newspapers from California to Tel Aviv.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated May 29, 2022

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Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (1)

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Up your burger game and be the hero of your next barbecue with Greek lamb burgers and homemade tzatziki!

Assembling the Best Homemade Lamb Burger

I season these lamb burgers with some of Greece's most-loved flavors – like garlic, dried lemon peel, and oregano – before grilling them up and serving them on toasted buns.

I like to set out a little buffet of Greek-inspired toppings near the grill for everyone to help themselves. Some of my favorites are fresh tomatoes, lettuce, feta, red onion, and of course, that tzatziki.

You can make your tzatziki up to three days in advance. I like to pre-salt and drain my cucumbers for a few hours or as long as overnight. If you’re pressed for time, you can salt the cucumber, let it drain for just 10 minutes, and then use a tea towel to press out as much moisture as you can.

Can I Use Other Meat for These Burgers?

If you’re wary of lamb because you find it too gamy and strong-tasting, I recommend trying lamb from New Zealand. It has a clean, grassy flavor and stays nice and juicy after cooking.

And If you’re really unsure about lamb, you try mixing it with some ground beef — up to half of the total weight of the meat in this recipe.

Lamb burgers may not be the most popular burger in the US, but this recipe might very well convince you that it should be!

5 Sides for Lamb Burgers

Tzatziki

  • Tzatziki (Cucumber Yogurt Salad)
  • Muhammara (Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
  • Mediterranean Mezze Platter
  • Greek Pasta Salad
  • Spinach and Orzo Salad

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Prep Time60 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time70 mins

Servings4 burgers

Yield4 burgers

Recipe can be doubled or tripled to serve larger crowds.

Look for dried lemon peel in the spice section of your grocery store, or order it online. Skip it if you can’t easily find it.

You will likely have some leftover tzatziki sauce after making this recipe. It will keep refrigerated for about a week, and it can be used on sandwiches or as a dipwith pita chips

Ingredients

For the tzatziki:

  • 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 2 cups plain Greek yogurt(full fat is best here)

  • 1/3 cup lightly packed chopped fresh herbs (I used equal amounts of mint, parsley, and dill)

  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

  • 3 cloves chopped garlic

For the lamb burgers:

  • 1 tablespoon dried oniongranules

  • 1 tablespoon dried garlicgranules or powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried lemon peel, optional

  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (or a combination of beef and lamb)

  • 4 burger buns

To serve:

  • Sliced tomatoes

  • Lettuce

  • Crumbled feta

  • Red onion

  • Tzatziki sauce

Method

  1. Make the tzatziki:

    Salt the cucumber slices with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and place in a sieve over a bowl to drain. Refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 24 hours, occasionally turning cucumbers. (If you need to prepare the tzatziki right away, salt the cucumbers for just 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess moisture with a clean tea towel.)

    In a large bowl, mix cucumbers, yogurt, herbs, vinegar, and garlic. Stir to combine. Taste and season with salt if needed.

    This step can be done up to 3 days before serving.

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (3)

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (4)

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (5)

  2. Combine spices:

    Whisk together the dried onion, dried garlic, dried lemon peel, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

  3. Shape the lamb burgers:

    Sprinkle the ground lamb with 2 teaspoons of the spice mix and gently work it into the meat with your finger tips or a spatula; try not to over-mix the meat or compact it too much as you work in the spices.

    Turn the seasoned meat out on a work surface and form into four (6 ounce) patties. Press a shallow dimple in the center of each patty to help the patties cook evenly and prevent them from forming domes in the middle.

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (6)

  4. Season and rest the burgers:

    Sprinkle additional seasoning onto both sides of the patties. Rest on counter for 20 to 30 minutes to allow burgers to come to room temperature.

  5. Meanwhile, prepare your grill:

    If you have a gas grill, preheat at high temperature for at least 10 minutes with the lid closed. For charcoal grills, fill a grill chimney with charcoal and light it. When the coals are hot (they should be covered with a layer of fine gray ash) empty the coals into the grill. Set the grate in place and cover the grill. Heat for 5 minutes.

  6. Grill the burgers:

    When your grill is ready, lightly brush the grates with oil. Add the burgers and close the grill. Cook the burgers to your desired doneness, flipping halfway through cooking. (Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium rare, or to 145°F.)

    Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (7)

  7. Finish and serve:

    Rest your lamb burgers for 3 minutes while you toast the buns on the grill. Then serve immediately with tzatziki sauce and other toppings.

Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (8)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
797Calories
39g Fat
47g Carbs
63g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories797
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g50%
Saturated Fat 16g79%
Cholesterol 178mg59%
Sodium 797mg35%
Total Carbohydrate 47g17%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 63g
Vitamin C 29mg143%
Calcium 368mg28%
Iron 6mg36%
Potassium 1423mg30%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Greek Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are lamb burgers good for you? ›

A Healthy Source of Protein

Lamb is loaded with vital proteins, just one 3 ounce serving of lamb meat contains over 23 grams of protein. Protein does so much for the body, including providing it with slow-burning, sustainable fuel. It also helps your body build, repair and maintain muscle mass.

How to make lamb burgers with Jamie Oliver? ›

Method. Pound all the dry rub ingredients and 1 teaspoon each of sea salt and black pepper in a pestle and mortar until fine. Split the minced lamb into 6 pieces, and with wet hands, shape into patties about 1.5cm thick. Pat the dry rub all over the burgers, then drizzle over a tiny bit of olive oil.

What is a lamb burger? ›

A lamb burger is a burger patty made from ground lamb meat. It is a popular alternative to beef burgers, and is often considered to be a healthier and more flavorful option.

Can lamb burgers be medium rare? ›

Lamb burgers can also be served medium or medium-rare just like a beef burger. Cook for 3-4 minutes if you prefer medium. How to top your burger: We perfected these burgers by slathering our homemade feta-yogurt sauce on both sides of the bun, then topping our patties with red onion and arugula.

Is lamb healthier for you than beef? ›

If we look at fatty acids, like CLA and omega-3's, lamb comes out victorious and can be seen as marginally healthier. If we look at vitamins, like B12 and zinc, beef comes out victorious. The bottom line is both are excellent and both should be eaten with abundance!

Is a lamb burger healthier than a beef burger? ›

Nutrition: Lamb is a nutrient-dense meat that is rich in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. It is also lower in fat than beef and has fewer calories. Versatility: Lamb is a versatile meat that works well in a variety of dishes, from meatballs and burgers to shepherd's pie and curry.

How do you keep lamb burgers from falling apart? ›

How Do You Keep Lamb Burgers From Falling Apart?
  1. Handle Gently. When shaping the lamb patties, handle the mixture gently to avoid overworking the meat. ...
  2. Preheat the skillet. Ensure that your skillet is preheated to medium-high heat before placing the lamb burgers on the cooking surface. ...
  3. Avoid Excessive Flipping.
Jul 26, 2023

Why do my lamb burgers fall apart? ›

The worst thing you can do to freshly ground meat is massage it or press on it too firmly. That said, if you plan on cooking your burgers on a grill instead of a skillet (and for lamb, I generally prefer the grill), you'll have to at least pack it hard enough that it doesn't fall apart when you lay it down or flip it.

Why add Worcestershire sauce to burgers? ›

Worcestershire sauce is effectively an ancient fish sauce (it contains fermented anchovies), so it adds a sort of interesting depth of flavor that enhances the basic beefy taste of what is after all an absurdly basic burger.

What cheese is good on lamb burgers? ›

Halloumi Cheese is easily found these days, but if you cannot find any, white cheddar is a good option. Cook the food in the order written. Make everything and assemble the bun completely before you cook the burgers. Lamb burgers cook really quickly and keep cooking off the grill.

What cheese goes with lamb? ›

If you enjoy adding fromage to most savoury dishes, you'll be glad to know that some cheeses go beautifully with lamb. Flavourful lamb shoulder, shank and leg are the best cuts to pair with cheeses such as ricotta and emmental, whilst feta and fragrant blue cheese stands up beautifully to lamb in sliders or kofte.

What is the best cut of meat for lamb burgers? ›

It is ground lamb — shoulder is best — highly seasoned and grilled rare. Because lamb is the most full-flavored of the everyday meats, it makes a more delicious plain burger than beef. Cooked with nothing but salt, it's fantastic.

Can lamb burger be a little pink? ›

So lamb cooked to pink is quite delicious. But if you want it cooked all the way through, you have to go for a very long time to get back to a nice texture. And of course eating meat that is pink is a luxury of having very high level of hygiene from the farm all the way to the table.

How to tell if lamb burgers are cooked? ›

Lamb patties and ground lamb mixtures such as meat loaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71.1° C), and measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.

Can lamb burgers be pink inside? ›

A rare, or pink, lamb chop that has been seared well on the outside should be fine because any bacteria on the outer surface will have been killed by the heat. But minced or diced lamb or mutton should never be served pink. It needs to be thoroughly cooked and browned. The same goes for burgers.

What is the healthiest meat for burgers? ›

Venison burgers are extra lean and truly from a free-range farm: the wild,” Cipullo says. Venison, or deer meat, has fewer calories and less fat than 90 percent lean beef, but with all the protein and iron. Make it better: Venison cooks faster than beef and can dry out, so keep a close eye.

Is lamb the healthiest meat to eat? ›

Not only is it a rich source of high-quality protein, but it is also an outstanding source of many vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Because of this, regular consumption of lamb may promote muscle growth, maintenance, and performance. In addition, it helps prevent anemia.

Is ground lamb better than hamburger? ›

Lamb is a nutrient-rich meat high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. It is also lower in fat and calories than beef. Beef is a nutrient-dense meat high in protein, iron, and vitamin B12. It also has more calories and fat than lamb.

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