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Lamb Burgers With Yogurt Sauce and Arugula

Lamb burger with yogurt sauce recipe
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

Lamb, lemon, cilantro, arugula—in our house, these ingredients scream summer, so it seemed natural to combine them, along with a few other ingredients, to make a burger with a bright, citrusy yogurt sauce. The arugula does double duty as a topping and a side salad, keeping this meal quick, easy, and light. My partner and I found this burger doesn’t need cheese, but if you feel compelled to add it, it pairs particularly well with nutty, earthy cheeses like sheep’s-milk Gouda, aged cow’s milk Gouda, and Manchego, though you will only need half as much yogurt sauce.—Jarrett Melendez

Ingredients

4 servings

1¼ lb. ground lamb
1 lemon
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp. ground coriander
1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
¼ cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems
½ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
4 hamburger buns, preferably whole wheat
4 cups baby arugula
  1. Step 1

    Using your hands, crumble1¼ lb. ground lambinto small pieces into a large bowl, scattering in a single layer across bottom and partway up sides of bowl. (This makes it easier to disperse the seasonings evenly without overworking the meat.) Using a Microplane, finely grate1 lemonover meat; set lemon aside. Finely grate2 garlic clovesinto bowl. Sprinkle in1 tsp. ground coriander,1 tsp. Diamond Crystalor½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper.

    Step 2

    Finely chop¼ cup (packed) cilantro leaves with tender stemsand scatter half over lamb. Set remaining cilantro aside for making yogurt sauce. Toss ground lamb mixture with your hands just until combined—you don't want to overwork the meat mixture, otherwise it can become tough. Divide meat into 4 equal portions. Hold 1 portion in the palm of your hand, then gently pat down to make a patty that’s about ¾"-thick and just a bit wider than your buns (if you have small hands, it might be easier to do this on a cutting board). Place patty on a large plate and repeat with remaining portions.

    Step 3

    Spoon½ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt成一个measuring glass or small bowl. Cut reserved lemon in half, and squeeze juice from 1 half into yogurt. Add2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil,¼tsp。Diamond CrystalorMorton kosher salt,¼tsp。新鲜的黑胡椒粉, and reserved cilantro. Using a small whisk or fork, mix until oil is fully incorporated.

    Step 4

    Heat a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium. Spread4 Tbsp. room-temperature unsalted butterover cut sides of4 hamburger buns, preferably whole wheat. Working in 2 batches, toast buns, buttered side down, in skillet until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to plates.

    Step 5

    Increase heat to medium-high and add1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oilto skillet. Once oil begins to shimmer, arrange lamb patties in skillet and cook until a dark brown crust forms on bottom side, about 5 minutes. Using a spatula, flip burgers and cook until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 135° for medium. Transfer to a plate and let rest at least 5 minutes.

    Step 6

    Place 4 cups baby arugula in a clean large bowl. Drizzle remaining1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oilover, then squeeze juice from remaining lemon half over. Season with remaining¼tsp。Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher saltand¼tsp。新鲜的黑胡椒粉and toss to combine.

    Step 7

    Spread about 1 Tbsp. yogurt sauce on bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with a small handful of dressed arugula. Place patties on top of arugula. Spread 1 Tbsp. yogurt sauce over patties and close up hamburgers. Serve with remaining arugula salad alongside.

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