Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (2024)

Easy Greek Lamb Burger recipe made with ground lamb, fresh herbs, spices, onion, and garlic for tons of FLAVOR! Topped with homemade tzatziki sauce and your favorite burger toppings for a delicious twist on a classic burger recipe. If you love Greek food and burgers, these greek burgers are a must this summer!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (1)

Happy July and happy burger month on Eat the Gains! Can a get a what, what?!

We are starting off strong with this greek lamb burger recipe! Confession – I’ve been making this recipe for a long long time (it’s a spin-off my greek lamb meatballs), and am finally posting it so it has a home!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (2)

There is nothing like a good burger to satisfy a craving. Meaty, juicy, greasy, and full of flavor, they are one of my favorite foods if done right. Greek food is also one of my favorite cuisines and when you combine the two together, it brings me to a happy place.

These Mediterranean burgers do just that – loaded with fresh herbs, spices, onion, and garlic – and grilled to juicy perfection! Then topped with homemade tzatziki, tomato, onion, and cucumber to balance it all out and bring the recipe together.

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (3)

If you have no idea what I am talking about when I am mentioning burger month, this month is dedicated to all things burgers on ETG. All through July, we will be posting burger themed recipes – from burgers, to fries, to sauces. Burgers are one of my favorite foods and summer is definitely the time for them!⁠

We are also doing a fun giveaway that you can read about here.

Are lamb burgers healthy?

Not only is lamb delicious, but it is packed with protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and selenium. Since lamb is usually grass-fed, it has a lot of heart healthy omega 3s fatty acids. These fats are healthy fats and omega-3 areanti-inflammatory. Lamb also contains CLA which can help aid fat loss and improve lean muscle mass.

Ground lamb is easy to use (treat it like ground beef!) and it adds such great flavor to these burgers – you will love it!

Greek lamb burger recipe

Juicy grilled lamb burgers are full of fresh herbs and spices, onion and garlic, and tons of flavor. Serve them up with your favorite toppings (listing some suggestions below) and fries for the perfect summer burger recipe.

Here is what you need:

  • ground lamb
  • red onion
  • garlic
  • fresh parsley
  • fresh mint
  • dried oregano
  • salt and pepper
  • buns or lettuce wraps for servings
  • toppings of your choice!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (4)

First, start off my lighting your grill and let it come up to temperature. I used a charcoal grill for this as I love the flavor, but any kind of grill will work.

While the grill heats up, make the burgers. Add the lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, oregano, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well to combine, but try not to overmix too much.

If you want, you can let this mixture marinate for an hour or more. Itgives the burgers so much flavor but is not necessary (I did not do it).

Then form the meat into 4 equal-sized patties. Use your hands to form into a burger shape, with about an inch of thickness, and making a small indent in the middle. This will help them cook evenly and not puff up.

Grill over direct heat for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on how you like your burger cooked. While the burgers grill, prepare your toppings and sides. Once they are done, pile them up with your favorite toppings and sides and enjoy!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (5)

Substitutions for greek burgers

Here are few substitutions for lamb burgers. I highly suggest using fresh herbs as it gives these burgers so much flavor, but you can use dried if needed.

  • meat – lamb adds such great flavor to these burgers, but if you don’t have lamb or want something not as fatty, you can use whatever kind of ground meat you like. Chicken, beef, or turkey will all work well, but the flavor profile will change some. Ground chicken and ground turkey can be kind of wet, so you might need to add a binder if using those.
  • fresh parsley – you can substitute 2 1/2-3 tablespoons dried parsley for fresh
  • mint – you cansubstitute1 teaspoon dried mint for fresh

Can you make lamb burgers on the stove?

Yes, lamb burgers can be made on the stove if you don’t have a grill. Heat a well-seasoned cast iron over medium heat, adding oil if needed. Cook burgers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.

Lamb burger toppings

What is a good burger without any toppings?! While I love a classic burger, you definitely need a few toppings to bring it all together. And the toppings on this greek burgers help bring it all together.

Here a few suggestions:

  • tzatziki – when you think of greek food, you think of tzatziki! Highly recommend whipping up a batch of homemade tzatziki in advance or while the burgers grill. All you need is yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. You can also use your favorite store bought as well.
  • feta – adds a nice tanginess to the recipe
  • lettuce
  • tomato
  • cucumber
  • red onion – either fresh or pickled
  • peppers – green bell peppers are used often in greek food

For serving, you can either use any kind of hamburger bun, lettuce wrap, or even pita. Since lamb is a rich cut of meat, I love using lettuce wraps to balance it out, but anything will work. You can even serve them on top of a greek salad!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (6)

More burger recipes

Buffalo Chicken Burgers w/ Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing

Burger Salad

Jalapeño Ranch Turkey Burgers

Harissa Salmon Burgers w/ Harissa Aioli

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (7)

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (8)

5 from 2 votes

Greek Lamb Burger

Author: Kelly Nardo

Easy greek lamb burger recipe made with ground lamb, fresh herbs, spices, onion, and garlic for tons of FLAVOR! Topped with homemade tzatziki sauce and your favorite burger toppings for a delicious twist on a classic burger recipe. If you love Greek food and burgers, these greek burgers are a must this summer!

Print RecipePin Recipe

Calories: 300kcal

Protein: 19.5g

Carbs: 2.4g

Fat: 23.1g

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

ingredients

Greek Lamb Burgers

  • 1 pound ground lamb (I used 80/20)
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion (60 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 packed tablespoon mint leaves, chopped (8-10 large leaves)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For serving

  • 1/2 cup homemade tzatziki sauce
  • toppings of choice: lettuce, tomato, red onion, feta...
  • burger buns of choice

instructions

  • Heat grill to medium-high heat.

  • While the grill heats up, make the burgers. Add the lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, mint, oregano, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well to combine, but try not to overmix too much.*

  • Then form the meat into 4 equal-sized patties. Use your hands to form into a burger shape, with about an inch of thickness, and making a small thumb-sized indent in the middle. This will help them cook evenly and not puff up.

  • Grill over direct heat for 4-5 minutes per side, depending on how you like your burger cooked. While the burgers grill, prepare your toppings and sides.

  • Top burgers with tzatziki sauce serve in lettuce wraps or buns with additional toppings. Enjoy!

notes

*if you want, you can let this mixture marinate for an hour or more. Itgives the burgers so much flavor but is not necessary (I did not do it).

Leave off tzatziki sauce to keep this burger dairy free and paleo and Whole30 approved.

nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Greek Lamb Burger

Amount Per Serving (1 burger (no toppings))

Calories 300Calories from Fat 208

% Daily Value*

Fat 23.1g36%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Potassium 73.5mg2%

Carbohydrates 2.4g1%

Fiber 0.6g3%

Sugar 0.9g1%

Protein 19.5g39%

Vitamin A 774IU15%

Vitamin C 12.1mg15%

Calcium 15.6mg2%

Iron 2.3mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe or anything from Eat the Gains, leave a comment and rating to let people know how you liked it! Also, make sure to post it and tag me so I can see all of your creations!! @eatthegains and #eatthegains on Instagram!

This post may contain affiliate linksand I may make a little bit of money if you click on and purchase the products that are linked. It doesn’t cost you any extra money. The compensationhelps with expenses to keep ETG up and running. I truly appreciate your support!

Greek Lamb Burger Recipe w/ Tzatziki - Eat the Gains (2024)

FAQs

Is a lamb burger healthy? ›

Are lamb burgers healthy? Not only is lamb delicious, but it is also a healthy option. It is packed with protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and selenium. Since lamb is usually grass-fed, it has heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

What is a Greek burger made of? ›

This burger is a delicious combination of a hearty 80/20 meat patty, sheep's milk feta, and terrific vegetables like kalamata olives, cucumbers, and Marinated Red Onions. Pepperoncini mayo adds a spicy kick, while melt-in-your-mouth Kasseri Greek cheese (or the cheese of your choice) brings a creamy touch.

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.

How to make homemade burgers that don't fall apart? ›

Chill or freeze your burgers

"This will help them keep their shape when they're cooking and stop them falling apart." You can also freeze them before cooking. Lay them on a tray in the freezer and, once they're frozen, pop them into freezer bags to save space. To defrost them, lay them back on the tray.

Should you use egg as a binder in burgers? ›

No, eggs are not necessary for binding burger patties, though they are commonly used for binding them. However, you can use other binding agents such as breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs, potato starch, flour, and porridge oats to bind burger patties according to your preferences.

Which is healthier lamb or 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!

What side dishes go with lamb burgers? ›

This list showcases side dishes that we know pair well with our lamb recipes!
  • Avocado Salsa. Photo Source: https://cookieandkate.com/chunky-avocado-salsa-recipe/ ...
  • Mango Apple Salad. ...
  • Grilled Lemon Garlic Asparagus. ...
  • Smoky Grilled Corn. ...
  • Veggie couscous salad.
  • Pea and Mint pesto. ...
  • Seasoned Potato Wedges.
Aug 25, 2021

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

Location: The front shoulder of the lamb. Fat Content: High. Flavor: Very well balanced with a large amount of fat, a bit of sour grassiness, and plenty or rich, deep lamb flavor. The equivalent of the beef chuck, it similarly is the best single-cut piece for making burger meat out of.

Is tzatziki sauce good on burgers? ›

So full of fabulous flavor hot off the grill, Mediterranean Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce are great with or without grilled pita bread. Try the veggies and olives too! For Tzatziki sauce: ½ cup plain low-fat, Greek-style yogurt.

What type of meat do they eat most of in Greece? ›

Lamb is one of the most popular types of meat in Greece and is used in various recipes. Souvlaki skewers, roasted leg of lamb, and pastit*io are all popular dishes that feature this delicious meat. Lamb can also be found in traditional dishes such as moussaka or pasticcio.

What is the difference between a Greek burger and a regular burger? ›

Greeks don't make patties like Americans, they don't eat plain ground meat, instead they add all sorts of ingredients to them such as oregano, spices, and olive oil. Many Greeks consider the American style burger bland because it doesn't have all these ingredients.

Can you eat lamb burgers slightly pink? ›

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.

Are lamb burgers better than beef? ›

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 long does lamb take to cook? ›

Place the lamb in the oven and roast for 1 hr 40 mins for rare meat, 2 hrs for medium and 2 hrs 30 mins for well done (see our temperature guide below). 2. Carefully lift the lamb onto a board with a moat, or a warm platter, then leave to rest for 20 mins.

What helps burgers stay together? ›

Add 1 egg yolk per pound of hamburger. It won't add appreciably to the fat content and will bind the meat beautifully. The other thing you can do is add canned, drained, crushed black beans or chickpeas to the hamburger. The starch from the beans will bind the meat together and add an interesting taste.

Why won't my hamburgers stay together? ›

The most likely cause is that your meat is too lean. Fat is required to help hamburger hold together.

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