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Try this Lamb Burger recipe as a Middle Eastern twist on a basic burger. Made with juicy lamb patties, homemade tzatziki, creamy hummus and aromatic za'atar spice, these easy burgers are not only unique but also really delicious!
Since Irealized a few weeks ago that I shared way too littleLebanese recipes with you in the past,I've found myselfin a Middle Eastern mood. I want to add hummus and za'atar tomost of my food. And if there are tzatziki and banaganoush - even better!
To make matters worse, Solal and I finally discovered the perfect Lebanese restaurant we were looking for in Sydney. If it was up to me, we would go every single week. We went there to eat once and the experience wasn't convincing.
BUT Solal had the brightest idea of getting take outforlunch at workone day and...revelation! Completelydifferent, 10x better. They make the tastiestbaba ganoush and their meat is delicious, not too greasy yetnot dry.
Anyways! My personal Middle Eastern craze continues with this Middle Easternlamb burger recipe. Because lamb patties with parsley, mint and cumin + hummus + tzatziki definitely say oriental and I love that.
Can we just pause a second and help a Frenchie out (aka myself)? I'm a little confused about something here. Maybe I shouldn't ask what I'm about to askon myfood blog because I'msupposedto know a thing or two about cooking, right?
Ahem, the truth is...it's a constant learning processand I do learnnew things every day. Which is totally awesome if you ask me!
So, the question. Could you guys tell me the difference between a patty and a burger? Because where I'm coming from (hello France!), burgers need to have bread to be called burgers.Otherwise, it's just meat, lettuce and tomato (or whatever your burger is made of).
However, I've seen lots of "burger" recipes in the Anglo-Saxon worldnot calling for bread. So, what's up with that?
Is a patty just a way to shape meat? And to become a burger, does the patty needs tobe served with something else like lettuce, bread or whatever? Or is it just an American/British English thing? See, I'm confused. Anyone willing to enlighten me: thank you!
These Middle Eastern lamb burgers qualify for both I guess because they're meat patties that you can serve with bread rolls - even though that's totally optional. A big lettuce leaf would be perfect if you're looking for a low-carb lamb burger recipe.
Whatever you call them, these lamb burgers/ lamb patties are delish, that's for sure! They work especially well in combination with a refreshing homemade tzatziki and some creamy nutty hummus!
I also added a sprinkle of za'atar to my lamb burger recipe, as I am addicted to this divine mix of sesame seeds and herbs. If you're having trouble finding it, you can even make it yourself, following my instructions in this hummus wrap recipe.
And I guess now is time to insert a PS: if you don't like lamb, no worries. Just use ground beef and you're good to go!
If you tried this lamb burger recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
5 from 1 vote
Middle Eastern Lamb Burgers
Try this Lamb Burger recipe as a Middle Eastern twist on a basic burger. Made with juicy, spiced lamb patties, homemade tzatziki, creamy hummus and aromatic za'atar spice, these easy burgers are not only unique but also really delicious!
CourseMain Course
CuisineMediterranean
Keywordbbq, burger, easy, hummus, lamb, Middle Eastern, sauce, simple, summer, tzatziki, unique
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 435 kcal
Ingredients
Burger Patties
- 1small onionor ½ large, finely chopped
- 1large garlic cloveminced
- 1lbground lean lamb500 g, you can also use lean beef
- ¼cupfresh flat leaf parsleychopped, packed
- 2tbspfresh mint leaveschopped
- 1tspground cumin
- 2tspDijon mustard
- 1egg
- salt to taste
- 1tsp+ ½ tbsp olive oil
Tzatziki
- ¾cupGreek yogurt
- ½cupcucumberskin on, cut into small cubes
- 2tbspfresh mint leaveschopped
- 1tsplemon juice
- 1pinch salt
Other ingredients
- ¾cuphummusor less to taste
- 1tbspza'ataroptional
- 6lettuce leaves
- 6bread rollscut in half and toasted (optional)
Instructions
For the burger patties:
Heat one teaspoon olive oil in a large non-stick skillet. Sauté onion and garlic on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes or until soft. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
Transfer onion and garlic to a large mixing bowl. Add ground lamb, parsley, mint, cumin, mustard and egg, and season with salt to taste.
Using your hands combine the ingredients and form 6 2.5/3-inch (about 7 cm) patties
Heat ½ tbsp olive oil on high heat in the same skillet. Brown patties, about 1 minute on each side then reduce to medium-low and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until cooked through. You want to cook them gently, so they are browned on the outside and cooked all the way through inside.
Transfer cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towel to drain excess fat.
For the Tzatziki:
While patties are cooking, prepare tzatziki. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber cubes, mint, lemon and salt. Stir well and set aside.
Assemble:
Spread one to two tablespoons hummus at the center of a lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with za'atar if using. Add a patty and top with two tablespoons tzatziki. Place a lettuce leaf on bread roll if using. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition facts without bread
Cal: 319 - Protein: 20.3g - Fat: 22.8g - Carbs: 8.16g - Fiber: 1.5g - Sugar: 1.4g
WW Old Points: 8 pts - Points+: 8 pts
Nutrition Facts
Middle Eastern Lamb Burgers
Amount Per Serving (1 burger (with bun))
Calories 435Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 83mg28%
Sodium 438mg19%
Potassium 278mg8%
Carbohydrates 30g10%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 2105IU42%
Vitamin C 11.1mg13%
Calcium 156mg16%
Iron 4.9mg27%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Verity
Ooh burgers look amazing! Can't wait to try them. Are you prepared to reveal the name if the perfect Lebanese place? I don't live in Sydney but have family that do who would love it!
Reply
marie
Of course! 🙂 It's called Abdul's and it's in Surry Hills. Don't be fooled by the look of the restaurant, their food is delicious! Thanks Verity 🙂
Reply
Susan
Marie, as far as I know, a patty is just a way of shaping meat (or anything else you want round and flat). Once again, from my perspective, bread does not make a patty into a burger; bread is just an American habit (not a great one, since we also like fries with our burgers). To me the two terms are interchangeable. Don't know about the British.
I'm glad you are on a Middle Eastern food kick. That's always been one of my very favorite sets of flavors. Your burgers definitely sound intriguing.
Reply
marie
Hmm okay, thanks Susan! I guess I'll choose to use patty or burger depending on my mood then 😉
Reply
Windy
I think that I can clear up for you where patties and Burgers differ.
First of all Burger is short for Hamburger and Patty is a way to shape a food. Hamburger Patty is a Patty made from Hamburger meat. Now days " Burger means anything resembling a patty sandwiched between 2 pieces of bread or anything resembling bread or a bun. a Hamburger patty wrapped in lettuce is a Hamburger wrap. In other words a Hamburger is a Kind of a sandwich. I see that now you can order a crab Burger which means that it is a Hamburger with a crab patty substituting for the Beef Hamburger patty. A garden Burger is with the substitution of vegetable patty for the meat patty. Now I see that a vegetable burger is used to just describe the patty so I guess in some instances they are interchangeable these days. I hope that didn't confuse you more.
Reply
Windy
Looking at your recipe, What you are showing is a Lamb Patty on lettuce with tzatziki and hummus. I think everyone understands that a Lamb burger can be a lamb patty without the bread as well.
Reply
marie
Oh wow thanks so much for all these details Windy!! It totally makes sense now!
Reply
40A.
I love lamb burgers and actually prefer them over beef! These look so good! As I am watching my carb intake I would totally go for the bun-less option!
Reply
