Ultimate Lamb - Feta Burgers with Minty Yogurt Sauce

A Gourmet Burger Recipe for Your Next Backyard Feast
Are you sick of beef burgers? These luscious lamb and feta burgers, topped with a cold, refreshing minty yoghurt sauce, will up your grilling game. With a touch of Mediterranean herbs, the creamy, tangy punch of crumbled feta cheese and the rich, savoury flavour of premium lamb blend harmoniously. This gourmet burger recipe is surprisingly easy to create and is sure to impress any crowd. It is served in a soft brioche bun with juicy tomato and crisp lettuce. It's time to light up the grill and prepare a special dinner that highlights robust flavours and high-quality ingredients.

Ingredients
For the Burgers (Makes 4):
500g (1.1 lb) ground lamb (min. 20% fat for juiciness)
100g (3.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
50g (1/2 cup) breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)

For the Minty Yogurt Sauce:
200g (3/4 cup) Greek yogurt (full-fat)
3 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 small cucumber, seeds removed and finely grated (squeeze out excess liquid)
Salt and pepper to taste

To Serve:
4 brioche burger buns, lightly toasted
Butter lettuce leaves
Sliced tomatoes
Red onion slices (optional)

Necessary Utensils
Sharp chef’s knife
Cutting board
Large mixing bowl
Grill pan or outdoor barbecue/grill
Spatula
Small mixing bowl (for sauce)
Box grater (for cucumber)
Pastry brush

Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: ~35 minutes (including resting)

Comprehensive Instructions for Preparation
Get the Minty Yoghurt Sauce ready:
Combine the Greek yoghurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and finely chopped mint in a small bowl. Add a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning. Blend thoroughly until smooth. While you make the burgers, cover and chill to let the flavours combine.

Prepare the burger patties:
The ground lamb, crumbled feta, chopped red onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, oregano, cumin, and smoky paprika should all be combined in a large mixing bowl. Add a liberal amount of black pepper and a small pinch of salt (keep in mind that feta is salty).
Mix all ingredients with your hands until just mixed. The burgers will get tough if you overmix.
The mixture should be divided into four equal parts. Form each into a solid patty that is roughly 1 inch (2.5%) thick. Using your thumb, press a small indentation into the middle of each patty to keep them from inflating while cooking.
To firm up, place patties on a platter, cover, and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.

To cook the burgers:
Preheat your heavy-duty grill pan, grill, or barbeque to medium-high heat. Apply a thin layer of olive oil to the pan or grates.
The patties should be placed on the heated grill. Cook without pressing down for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side, or until well-seared and the juices begin to come to the surface.
Using a spatula, carefully flip, then cook for a further 4–5 minutes on the other side, or until medium done. Add another 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time for well done. For optimal results, the internal temperature should approach 71°C/160°F.

Assemble and Serve: 
Lightly toast the brioche buns for two to three minutes while the burgers rest.
Top the bottom half of each bun with a large dollop of the minty yoghurt sauce.
Place the rested lamb burger patty on top, along with a slice of tomato and a butter lettuce leaf.
If desired, top the burger with an additional tablespoon of sauce before placing the top bun on top.
Serve right now with a crisp side salad or sweet potato fries.

Nutritional Information (Per Burger, including bun and sauce)
Calories: 685 kcal
Carbs: 38g
Protein: 38g
Fat: 42g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 9g
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

Pro Tip for the Ideal Burger: 
Make sure your grill or pan is extremely hot before adding the patties to get the ideal caramelised coating that seals in all the delectable flavours for juicy lamb feta burgers that don't crumble. The key to a consistently moist Mediterranean lamb burger is to allow the patties to rest after cooking. Easy gourmet burgers for summertime barbecue and family-friendly, high-protein meal options are ideal with this recipe.