Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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Juicy and flavorful, these grilled lamb burgers are not just delicious but also very easy to make.

The mint yogurt sauce is ready in minutes and complements them perfectly.

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

When I tire of beef burgers (such as these baked hamburgers), I like to make bison burgers, turkey burgers, or these lamb burgers.

I love lamb. It has this distinct, bold flavor that I really enjoy. Beef is delicious, but its flavor profile is relatively tame compared with lamb.

The bold flavor of these lamb burgers is complemented perfectly by the mint yogurt sauce. It's a great combination of flavors and textures - the warm, juicy burgers and the cool, creamy sauce.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Lamb Burgers Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Burger Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

Here's an overview of the ingredients needed to make these tasty burgers. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.

For the sauce:

  • Greek yogurt: I use plain full-fat yogurt.
  • Fresh mint leaves: They add wonderful flavor to the sauce.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best.
  • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself (the tasty option) or use the stuff that comes in a jar (the easy option).
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use by half, or the burgers could become too salty.

For the burgers:

  • Ground lamb: I use 85% lean and 15% fat. I don't recommend going any leaner than that.
  • Minced garlic: Garlic granules work too.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, and ground cumin.
  • Chopped fresh cilantro: Parsley works if you're not a fan of cilantro.

Variations

  • You can use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt when making the sauce. It's even richer and tastier than yogurt.
  • Try adding more spices. Good options that I've tried and liked include smoked paprika and dried thyme.
  • Although it's best with ground lamb, this recipe also works with ground beef. I've tried both versions, and although I prefer lamb, beef is good too.

Lamb Burgers Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Prepare the sauce. First, make the sauce by processing its ingredients in your food processor. Then set it aside. (Images 1,2).

Make the patties. Mix the burger ingredients and form the mixture into patties. I like to gently make a dimple in the center of each patty to help them retain their shape on the grill. (Images 3,4).

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Cook them. Grill the patties to your desired doneness. Serve them with the sauce. (Images 5-8).

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Expert Tip

Although the recipe below is written for four quarter-pound patties, I often make two half-pound burgers, as shown in the video, because I tend to serve these burgers with no bun (not even a low-carb bun such as cloud bread).

Recipe FAQs

What grill should I use?

I grill these burgers on a dual-contact indoor grill. You can obviously use any grill you like, including a grill pan.

What herbs and spices go with lamb?

Rosemary, mint, oregano, and thyme go well with lamb, and you can certainly add a pinch of some of them to the burgers. I also like to season lamb with ground cumin and smoked paprika.

Can I top these burgers with cheese?

You can try topping them with feta cheese and see how you like it. Personally, I prefer them topped with a Greek yogurt sauce.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve these burgers on a plate topped with a dollop of mint yogurt sauce. Sometimes I do go through the trouble of making low-carb bread. As for sides, they go really well with any of the following:

  • Tomato salad
  • Creamy cucumber salad
  • Zucchini fries
  • Jicama fries
  • Israeli salad
  • Cucumber tomato salad
  • Homemade coleslaw

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power.

You can freeze the leftovers for up to three months, but you can only freeze the burgers, not the yogurt sauce.

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

More Burger Recipes

  • Grilled Hamburgers
  • Turkey Burgers
  • Bison Burger
  • Baked Hamburgers

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Recipe Card

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (9)

4.98 from 37 votes

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Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce

These lamb burgers are not just juicy and flavorful but also very easy to make. The mint yogurt sauce complements them perfectly.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 lamb burgers

Calories: 284kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Mint Yogurt Sauce:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt plain, full-fat
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves loosely packed
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Burgers:

  • 1 lb. ground lamb 85/15
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • Avocado oil spray for grill

Instructions

  • To prepare the sauce, process the sauce ingredients in your food processor for a few seconds until combined. Set aside.

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the burger ingredients. Form four (4 oz) patties, 3 inches in diameter and ½ inch thick. Or form the mixture into two half-pound patties, as shown in the video.

  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. I like to use a dual-contact electric grill, but any grill will work, including a grill pan. Lightly spray or brush the grill with oil.

  • Grill the lamb burgers to your desired level of doneness. For medium doneness, grill for about 5 minutes on a dual-contact grill, or 4-5 minutes per side if using a regular grill or a grill pan.*

  • Serve the burgers immediately, topped with the mint yogurt sauce.

Video

Notes

The CDC recommends cooking ground meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

I like to gently make a dimple in the center of each patty to help them retain their shape on the grill.

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, in the microwave at 50% power.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1burger + ¼ cup sauce | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (20) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is a lamb burger healthy? ›

Are lamb burgers healthy? Not only is lamb delicious, but it is also a healthy option. It is packed with protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and selenium. Since lamb is usually grass-fed, it has heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

What to serve with a lamb burger? ›

To complete the spread, I made a few simple, rustic side dishes to serve alongside the lamb burgers – grilled potatoes & beans, a plum salad with parmesan, and a really easy pea dip with seedy crackers.

Can lamb burgers be pink in the middle? ›

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.

Is lamb more unhealthy than beef? ›

If we look at fatty acids, like CLA and omega-3's, lamb comes out victorious and can be seen as marginally healthier. If we look at vitamins, like B12 and zinc, beef comes out victorious. The bottom line is both are excellent and both should be eaten with abundance!

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.

What's the best cheese for lamb burgers? ›

But let's say you're making lamb burgers. Lamb has a much stronger flavor than beef, and some people like it more than others. If you like the taste of lamb, but want to temper it a little, this might be a good time for a stronger-tasting cheese, like blue, or a funky Swiss, or an earthy, mushroomy brie.

Are lamb burgers better than beef? ›

Choosing between lamb and beef ground meat ultimately comes down to personal preference and the dish you're making. If you prefer a slightly milder and sweeter flavor with fewer calories, lamb may be the way to go. If you prefer a rich and meaty flavor with more fat and calories, beef may be your best bet.

What is the best side dish for lamb? ›

Best 9 Side Dishes To Serve With Lamb Dinners
  • Greek Salad.
  • Couscous.
  • Mashed Potatoes.
  • Roasted Zucchini.
  • Greek Style Lemon Roasted Potatoes.
  • Mediterranean yellow rice.
  • Tzatziki sauce.
  • Truffle Parmesan French Fries.
Jul 25, 2022

What is Bobby Flay's burger sauce? ›

Bobby Flay's signature burger, the sauce is amazing! Whisk together the mayo, mustard, and horseradish in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions.

What are the best sauces to put on a burger? ›

Tried & loved and haven't tried but would be very interested in.
  • Ketchup (65.9%)
  • BBQ Sauce (62.2%)
  • Mayonnaise (62.1%)
  • Signature Burger Sauce (60.8%)
  • Steak Sauce (54.9%)
  • Yellow Mustard (54.3%)
  • Spicy Sauce (54.2%)
  • Spicy Mustard (Dijon, Hot & Spicy) 53.5%

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his burger patty? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 lb ground sirloin.
  2. 1 onion, minced.
  3. 1 tablespoon ketchup.
  4. 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato, cut thinly.
  5. 14 cup garlic, chopped.
  6. 12 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
  7. 12 teaspoon Tabasco sauce.
  8. 12 teaspoon honey mustard.

How to know if a lamb burger is cooked? ›

Bake until patties are well-browned and internal temperature is at least 165 degrees—25 to 30 minutes. Don't skip the olive oil; ground lamb tends to be very lean so it needs some fat to keep it juicy.

Is ground lamb healthy? ›

Not only is it a rich source of high-quality protein, but it is also an outstanding source of many vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Because of this, regular consumption of lamb may promote muscle growth, maintenance, and performance. In addition, it helps prevent anemia.

What is the healthiest meat for burgers? ›

If you choose beef, choose 90 percent lean or higher. Bison and venison are also leaner red meat choices. Poultry such as ground turkey or chicken can be higher in saturated fat and calories if dark meat and skin are used in the mix. If you choose to use ground chicken or turkey, look for breast only.

Is lamb better for you than chicken? ›

Q: Which meat is generally considered healthier, chicken or lamb? A: Chicken is often considered a healthier option than lamb, as it is lower in saturated fats and calories. Therefore, it is a popular choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.

Is lamb ground beef healthy? ›

Both lamb and beef are remarkably healthy whole foods with an excellent matrix of healthy fats, complete proteins, beneficial amino acids, essential vitamins, and vital nutrients.

References

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