Cooking Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results

Ingredients

0/22 checked
6
servings
2 lbs

ground lamb

0.5 cup

plain yogurt

1 tbsp

dried savory

3 unit

garlic cloves

minced

1 unit

lemon

zest of, finely grated

0.38 tsp

crushed red pepper flakes

1.5 tsp

kosher salt

1 pinch

black pepper

fresh ground

7 ounces

feta cheese

crumbled

1 tbsp

extra virgin olive oil

for brushing

6 unit

plain pita pocket bread

1 unit

onion tomatoes

sliced

1 unit

cucumber

sliced

1 cup

arugula

1 unit

fresh mint

2 cups

plain yogurt

1 unit

cucumber

peeled and seeded

1 tsp

kosher salt

0.5 unit

garlic clove

peeled

1 tbsp

extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp

fresh lemon juice

0.5 tsp

dried mint

finely crumbled

Step 1
~3 min

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Step 2
~3 min

In a large bowl, gently mix ground lamb with black pepper, dried savory, minced garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 3
~3 min

Divide the lamb mixture into 6 equal portions.

Step 4
~3 min

Shape each portion into an oval patty, slightly thinner in the center.

Step 5
~3 min

Brush the patties with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 6
~3 min

Grill the burgers, turning once, until firm to the touch with a bit of give, about 8-10 minutes for large burgers.

Step 7
~3 min

Grill pita bread if desired.

Step 8
~3 min

Serve the burgers in pita pockets with sliced onion tomatoes, sliced cucumber, arugula, and fresh mint.

Step 9
~3 min

To make the yogurt sauce (Tzatziki), stir plain yogurt (or drain regular yogurt in a coffee filter overnight).

Step 10
~3 min

If using Greek yogurt, skip the draining step.

Step 11
~3 min

Discard any watery liquid from the yogurt.

Step 12
~3 min

Grate cucumber on the wide-holed side of a grater.

Step 13
~3 min

Sprinkle the grated cucumber with salt and toss gently.

Step 14
~3 min

Set aside for 20 minutes, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Step 15
~3 min

Add the squeezed cucumber to the yogurt in a bowl.

Step 16
~3 min

Smash the peeled garlic clove with a generous pinch of salt using the flat side of a knife to create a coarse paste.

Step 17
~3 min

Add the garlic paste, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and dried mint to the yogurt mixture.

Step 18
~3 min

Stir to combine.

Step 19
~3 min

Refrigerate the yogurt sauce for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

Expert advice for the best results

For best results, use high-quality ground lamb.

Do not overmix the lamb mixture, as this can make the burgers tough.

Allow the burgers to rest for a few minutes after grilling before serving.

Cooking Experience

Everything you need to know before you start

Time & Preparation

Cleanup Time

20 minutes

Batch Cooking
Friendly
Make Ahead

The yogurt sauce can be made ahead of time.

Freezable
Kid Friendly

Cooking Environment

Messiness Level
Medium
Smell Intensity
Medium
Noise Level
Low
Elder Friendly
Suitable for seniors

Plating & Presentation

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side of hummus and baba ghanoush.

Pair with a fresh salad.

Perfect Pairings

Food Pairings

Hummus
Baba ghanoush
Greek salad

Drink Pairings

Cultural Heritage

Discover the story behind this recipe

Origin & Tradition

Region of Origin

Middle East

Cultural Significance

Lamb is a staple protein in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Style

Occasions & Celebrations

Festive Uses

Eid al-Adha
Ramadan

Occasion Tags

Summer grilling
Backyard barbecue
Casual dinner

Popularity Score

75/100

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