Gyro-Style Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki and Grilled Onions

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 20 min
  • Active: 20 min
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Ingredients

Burgers and Onions:

1 1/2 pounds ground lamb

2 teaspoons ground coriander

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil, for the skillets

1 large red onion, peeled and sliced into 4 thick slices

Tzatziki:

8 ounces Greek yogurt

1 clove garlic, minced

Zest of 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup minced cucumber

1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Serving:

4 small soft pitas, toasted if desired

Chopped tomato, for serving

Chopped romaine lettuce, for serving

Directions

  1. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals evenly over the bottom. Heat 2 flat cast-iron skillets over direct heat.
  2. For the burgers and onions: Combine the lamb, coriander and mint in a large bowl. Form the meat mixture into 4 equal thin half-moon shaped patties. Season the patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a splash of oil to the cast-irons. Cook the patties 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the meat to get a nice crust. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the burgers from the heat and let rest 2 to 3 minutes before assembling the burgers.
  3. Meanwhile, drizzle the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until softened and charred, about 5 minutes.
  4. For the tzatziki: Add the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, cucumber, dill and mint to a large bowl and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. To serve: Spread some tzatziki over each pita, add a patty to one half of each pita, top with some grilled onion and add some chopped tomato and lettuce. Fold the other half of each pita over. Serve!

Let's Get Cooking!

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ChrisB.CO

I am a big of Michael Symon and love his style of cooking. When I saw this episode, I knew I would love this. I've made it now a few times and it is always a big hit with everyone that's been lucky enough to enjoy it with us. The past two times I have made it I have ground the lamb myself using the meat grinder accessory for my KitchenAid stand mixer and find this to be far superior to store bought ground lamb. I use a boneless leg of lamb, about 6 lbs, and just quadruple the rest of the ingredients. I find that this produces a grind with better fat ratio. I double-grind it, using the course die first, followed by the finer die and this creates a perfect grind with the fat well distributed. Doing it this way I prepare enough burgers for whatever number of people are joining us and the rest I make into burgers that I vacuum pack and freeze for a quick amazing meal. Also, the tzatziki is the best I have ever had at any Greek restaurant and better than most. Finally, I have cooked the burgers and onions both in cast iron (as Michael suggests) and on a charcoal grill and I actually prefer the grill just because it adds a bit more smokiness. It's great either way.

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