Greek Lamb Feta Burgers with Cucumber Sauce: A Mediterranean Delight

Craving a burger that’s bursting with flavor and a touch of Mediterranean flair? Look no further! These Greek Lamb Feta Burgers with Cucumber Sauce are a delicious and healthy alternative to your typical beef burger. Ground lamb, infused with aromatic herbs and salty feta cheese, creates a patty that’s both savory and satisfying. Topped with a refreshing cucumber sauce, juicy tomatoes, crisp red onion, and peppery arugula, these burgers are a true culinary experience. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, a weekend barbecue, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a unique and flavorful meal.

## Why You’ll Love These Burgers

* **Flavor Explosion:** The combination of lamb, feta, herbs, and cucumber sauce is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
* **Healthier Choice:** Lamb is a leaner protein source than beef, and the addition of fresh vegetables makes these burgers a relatively healthy option.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite their gourmet taste, these burgers are surprisingly easy to prepare. The recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple steps.
* **Impressive Presentation:** These burgers look as good as they taste! The vibrant colors and textures make them a visually appealing dish.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking. Add your favorite toppings, swap out the herbs, or adjust the amount of feta cheese.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Lamb Burgers:

* 1.5 pounds ground lamb
* 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
* 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil

### For the Cucumber Sauce:

* 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
* 1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
* Salt and pepper to taste

### For the Burger Toppings:

* 4 burger buns
* 1 large tomato, sliced
* 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
* 4 cups arugula
* Olive oil for grilling

## Equipment

* Large mixing bowl
* Grater
* Garlic press
* Measuring spoons and cups
* Grill or grill pan
* Small bowl for the cucumber sauce
* Spatula

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Cucumber Sauce:

In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (make sure to squeeze out excess water!), lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial for allowing the cucumber sauce to chill and for the flavors to fully develop. The longer it sits, the better it will taste. Squeezing the cucumber dry is also important to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.

### 2. Make the Lamb Burger Patties:

In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground lamb, crumbled feta cheese, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, chopped oregano, chopped mint, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overmix the mixture, as this can result in tough burgers. Overmixing develops the gluten in the lamb, leading to a dense and less tender patty. Gently incorporate the ingredients until they are just combined. Wet your hands slightly with cold water to prevent the lamb mixture from sticking to them. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty, about 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb. This will help prevent the burgers from puffing up in the middle while grilling, ensuring they cook evenly.

### 3. Grill the Lamb Burgers:

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with olive oil to prevent the burgers from sticking. Place the lamb patties on the hot grill. Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness. Grilling time may vary depending on the thickness of the patties and the heat of your grill. Avoid pressing down on the burgers while they are grilling, as this will squeeze out the juices and result in dry burgers. If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the burgers in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and cook the burgers for the same amount of time, flipping halfway through.

### 4. Assemble the Burgers:

While the burgers are grilling, lightly toast the burger buns. Spread a generous amount of cucumber sauce on the bottom bun. Top with a grilled lamb patty, sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and a handful of arugula. Place the top bun on the burger and serve immediately. Feel free to add additional toppings to your liking, such as roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, or sun-dried tomatoes. Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as Greek fries, a Greek salad, or roasted vegetables.

## Tips for the Best Greek Lamb Feta Burgers

* **Use high-quality ground lamb:** The quality of the lamb will significantly impact the flavor of the burgers. Look for ground lamb that is lean and has a good color.
* **Don’t overmix the lamb mixture:** Overmixing will result in tough burgers. Gently combine the ingredients until they are just combined.
* **Make an indentation in the center of the patties:** This will prevent the burgers from puffing up in the middle while grilling.
* **Don’t press down on the burgers while grilling:** This will squeeze out the juices and result in dry burgers.
* **Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness:** The internal temperature of the burgers should reach 145°F (63°C) for medium doneness.
* **Toast the burger buns:** This will add texture and flavor to the burgers.
* **Use fresh, high-quality toppings:** The quality of the toppings will significantly impact the overall flavor of the burgers.
* **Let the cucumber sauce chill:** This will allow the flavors to meld and create a more flavorful sauce.
* **Squeeze the cucumber dry:** This will prevent the cucumber sauce from becoming watery.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Beef Burgers:** If you prefer beef, you can substitute ground beef for the ground lamb. Use a leaner cut of ground beef, such as ground sirloin or ground round.
* **Chicken Burgers:** For a lighter option, you can use ground chicken. Be sure to add some fat to the chicken mixture, such as olive oil or egg, to prevent the burgers from being too dry.
* **Vegetarian Burgers:** To make these burgers vegetarian, you can use a plant-based ground meat substitute or a mixture of lentils, vegetables, and breadcrumbs.
* **Cheese:** If you don’t like feta cheese, you can substitute it with goat cheese, halloumi cheese, or mozzarella cheese.
* **Herbs:** Feel free to experiment with different herbs. Thyme, rosemary, and dill are all great options.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
* **Buns:** Use your favorite type of burger buns. Brioche buns, pretzel buns, or even pita bread would all be delicious.
* **Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, or tzatziki sauce would all be great additions.

## Serving Suggestions

These Greek Lamb Feta Burgers are delicious on their own, but they are even better when served with complementary side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Greek Fries:** Crispy fries seasoned with oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
* **Greek Salad:** A classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onions.
* **Tzatziki Sauce:** A traditional Greek yogurt sauce with cucumbers, garlic, and dill.
* **Hummus:** A creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
* **Pita Bread:** Warm pita bread for dipping or scooping.

## Storage Instructions

* **Cooked Burgers:** Store leftover cooked burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the grill.
* **Uncooked Burger Patties:** Uncooked burger patties can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
* **Cucumber Sauce:** Cucumber sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 650-750 per burger (depending on toppings)
* Protein: 40-50 grams
* Fat: 40-50 grams
* Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams

## Conclusion

These Greek Lamb Feta Burgers with Cucumber Sauce are a flavorful and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. They are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or simply looking for a delicious weeknight meal, these burgers are sure to impress. So, fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean!

## Recipe Card

**Greek Lamb Feta Burgers with Cucumber Sauce**

**Yields:** 4 burgers
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 10-14 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 pounds ground lamb
* 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
* 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
* 1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 4 burger buns
* 1 large tomato, sliced
* 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
* 4 cups arugula
* Olive oil for grilling

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Cucumber Sauce:** In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. **Make the Lamb Burger Patties:** In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground lamb, feta cheese, red onion, garlic, oregano, mint, cumin, salt, and pepper. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty, about 3/4 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty.
3. **Grill the Lamb Burgers:** Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with olive oil. Place the lamb patties on the hot grill. Grill for about 5-7 minutes per side for medium doneness, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
4. **Assemble the Burgers:** While the burgers are grilling, lightly toast the burger buns. Spread a generous amount of cucumber sauce on the bottom bun. Top with a grilled lamb patty, sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and arugula. Place the top bun on the burger and serve immediately.

**Notes:**

* For best results, use high-quality ground lamb and fresh herbs.
* Don’t overmix the lamb mixture, as this can result in tough burgers.
* Let the cucumber sauce chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
* Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as Greek fries, a Greek salad, or roasted vegetables.

Enjoy!