Description
Bring Mediterranean flavors to your backyard barbecue with grilled lamb burgers with feta. Ground lamb mixed with fresh herbs, garlic, and tangy feta creates juicy burgers bursting with flavor. Lemon zest and jalapeño add brightness and gentle heat. Ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 1 red jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Hamburger buns or pita bread for serving
Instructions
1. Place parsley, mint, basil, jalapeño, garlic, and lemon zest in food processor. Pulse a few times just until everything is finely chopped but not mushy.
2. Add ground lamb to a large bowl along with oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands just to distribute spices.
3. Transfer herb mixture from food processor to the bowl with lamb. Add crumbled feta cheese and gently work everything together until just combined. Don’t compact the meat.
4. Divide lamb mixture into four equal portions. Gently shape each into a patty about 1 inch thick. Make a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb.
5. Heat your grill to 450°F over medium-high heat. Clean grates thoroughly with a grill brush, then oil them well to prevent sticking.
6. Place patties on the hot grill and close the lid. Cook for 3 minutes on the first side without moving them. Flip and cook another 4 minutes for medium doneness.
7. Remove burgers from grill when they reach your desired doneness. Let rest for 10 minutes covered with foil.
Notes
Ground lamb makes these burgers special with rich, distinctive flavor. Lean ground beef works as a substitute.
Fresh herbs beat dried every single time. Mint, basil, and parsley create layers of bright flavor.
Red jalapeño adds color and mild heat. Fresno chilies substitute perfectly. Remove all seeds for less spice.
Feta cheese brings tangy saltiness that complements lamb. Goat cheese works too.
Fresh lemon zest adds brightness that bottled juice cannot match.
Chill formed patties for 30 minutes before grilling for better shape.
Don’t press down on burgers while cooking – keeps juices inside.
Oil grates right before adding burgers to prevent sticking.
Use meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Cook to 160°F internal temperature for medium.
Toast buns on grill for extra flavor and texture.
Serve in warm pita bread for authentic Greek style.
Top with tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, and red onion.
Place parchment paper between patties and freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 337
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 69mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 82mg