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

Course: Main Course

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

Why do my lamb burgers fall apart? ›

Lamb burgers can fall apart for a handful of reasons including the handling of the mixture, lack of binding ingredients and how you cook them. To help keep your burger together, ensure you use a binding ingredient like eggs or breadcrumbs and make sure you aren't flipping them too frequently.

How many calories in a Greek lamb burger? ›

Method
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
797Calories
39gFat
47gCarbs
63gProtein

Are lamb burgers good for you? ›

Lamb contains important vitamins and minerals.

Red meats like lamb are high in: Iron. Vitamin B12. Selenium.

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.

Should I add egg to burger patty? ›

Egg yolk acts as a binder and adds flavor

After forming it into a patty, he explains that the egg actually helps bind the meat together, and adds an incredibly rich flavor to the burger patty. As a good rule of thumb, it's best to add one yolk per pound of ground beef.

Should you use egg as a binder in burgers? ›

One of the most important steps to making hamburger patties from scratch is binding the ingredients together. If they aren't bound well, the patties will start to fall apart as soon as you start cooking them. The most commonly used binding agent for hamburger patties is eggs.

Is Greek lamb meat healthy? ›

Along with this includes a creamy tzatziki sauce, blended from yogurt, cucumbers, and spices. Gyro is mostly made of lamb meat, which is considered to be low in calories and rich in protein. As you can see, eating lamb meat provides you with needed vitamins and minerals.

Is lamb burger healthier 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.

What is the best cheese for lamb burgers? ›

Halloumi Cheese is easily found these days, but if you cannot find any, white cheddar is a good option. Cook the food in the order written. Make everything and assemble the bun completely before you cook the burgers. Lamb burgers cook really quickly and keep cooking off the grill.

Can lamb burger be a little pink? ›

Mix ground lamb, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Shape mixture into 4 patties. Place patties on the preheated grill and cook until firm and slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes per side.

What is the healthiest lamb meat? ›

The nutritional value of lamb is heavily influenced by the cut as well; the leanest of cut choices include lamb loin, lamb shank, and lamb leg; all of which have about 150 to 170 calories per 3-ounce serving, and 2 to 3 grams of saturated fat.

Should lamb burgers be 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.

What cheese goes with lamb? ›

If you enjoy adding fromage to most savoury dishes, you'll be glad to know that some cheeses go beautifully with lamb. Flavourful lamb shoulder, shank and leg are the best cuts to pair with cheeses such as ricotta and emmental, whilst feta and fragrant blue cheese stands up beautifully to lamb in sliders or kofte.

What is a good meat to mix with lamb? ›

In a large bowl, gently combine the lamb and ground beef until mixed. Form the mixture into 4 patties, then season them with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Heat a grill or large grill pan to medium-high.

How do you keep burgers from breaking apart? ›

We recommend simply shaping the beef into a vague burger shape with the least amount handling as possible. Or if you'd rather work smarter than harder, you can also use a stuffed burger press like the Big Boy Burger Binder, which shapes the perfect burger every time. Go easy on the flipping too.

How do you fix burgers that fall apart? ›

If you mix in other things like breadcrumbs or veggies or whatever, consider adding some egg or mayo to help hold it together. don't move the burgers until they are cooked enough to hold their shape. Don't ever press down on the top.

How do you keep meat patties from falling apart? ›

Leaner ground beef, like 90% lean or more, is likely to hold together fairly well, but it will often be fairly dry by the time you get it cooked through. Adding an egg per 1–2 lbs of 90–95% lean will do fine. Another way to make amazingly tasty burgers is to season them well before forming them into patties by hand.

Why do my burger patties fall apart when cooking? ›

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

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