Greek Lamb Feta Burgers With Cucumber Sauce

These grilled lamb burgers are served with slices of ripe tomatoes and red onion in pita bread with a fresh-tasting cucumber sauce seasoned with fresh mint and garlic.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 650 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 small (4 inch) pita breads
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint leaves
• 4 large unpeeled garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon red or rice wine vinegar
• 4 large, thin red onion slices
• 4 large, thin tomato slices
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 0.75 cup sour cream
• 1.25 pounds ground lamb
• 0.5 large cucumber, peeled, grated and squeezed very dry in a clean towel

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Make patties: Place garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium-high heat; toast until spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Peel, mince, and set aside.

Step 2

Break up lamb in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with minced toasted garlic, feta, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir with a fork to combine. Divide into 4 equal portions. Toss each portion back and forth between cupped hands to form a ball. Pat with fingertips to flatten to about 4-inches wide. Refrigerate patties.

Step 3

Make sauce: Mix together cucumber, sour cream, mint, vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 4

Cook patties: Build a hot fire on one side of the grill. Replace the rack. When coals are covered with white ash, place patties on the rack and close the lid. Cook on the preheated grill until done, about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium to medium-well burgers. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of patties should read at least 160 degrees F (72 degrees C). Remove patties to a plate to rest.

Step 5

Toast pitas on the hot grill until spotty brown and warm, about 1 minute per side. Split toasted pitas crosswise. Spread about 2 tablespoons sauce over 4 pita halves. Top each with a red onion slice, a tomato slice, and a burger patty. Spread remaining sauce over each burger. Top with remaining pita halves.