Grill/Barbecue

Lamb Burgers with Cilantro Yogurt

by:
June 26, 2009
4.5
4 Ratings
  • Serves 4-6
Author Notes

i love burgers but hate all the washing and chopping the fixings require. this was my single condiment solution. —naomi

Test Kitchen Notes

These burgers are simple yet spot on. Naomi calls for ground lamb, which makes for a sumptuous burger requiring nothing more than a bit of salt and pepper. The tang of the cilantro yogurt sauce cuts the richness, keeping the lamb from tasting gamey. We shaved the garlic using a Microplane grater, which dispersed its bite evenly throughout the yogurt and provided a more intense garlic flavor - if you decide to do the same, keep in mind you will only need one clove of garlic. We also added a large pinch of salt to the yogurt and served the burgers on toasted hamburger buns. - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds ground lamb
  • 1 cup whole milk yogurt (you kind of need the whole for the texture)
  • handful of fresh cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or very finely chopped
Directions
  1. heavily season the ground lamb with salt and pepper
  2. mix yogurt, chopped cilantro, garlic and salt to taste
  3. cook burgers on grill or in the broiler
  4. serve with yogurt sauce on the side
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Alma Delucchi
    Alma Delucchi
  • Christopher LaClair
    Christopher LaClair
  • Dima Haddad
    Dima Haddad
  • PhoebeLapine
    PhoebeLapine

14 Reviews

Alma D. August 24, 2017
Made these last night. They were delicious! Worried that the simple ingredients would not be enough but I always like to follow the recipe the first then tweak if necessary. Wasn't necessary. The sauce is very tasty. Will definitely have again. Oh yes we cooked them on a grill.
 
Amandadp June 25, 2017
Made this last night and it was delicious! Especially considering there was minimal prep or cleanup! Thanks for sharing.
 
Christopher L. December 5, 2016
What is the fat content of the ground lamb? I have access to both beef and pork fat, which I use for sausage and burger making.
 
Dima H. July 2, 2013
I loved the cilantro twist, I have a Lamb burger recipe on my blog where I use a Tahini garlic sauce and the lamb got parsley and onions in it http://procrastinatorcook.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/kefta-burgers-middle-eastern-juicy-burgers/... 100% Middle Eastern burgers ... next time I make lamb burgers I will make your recipe, I am in a phase right now were I am crazy about cilantro!!
 
samnotlinda November 23, 2012
I just made this for the first time. I could sit down and eat the yogurt, cilantro, garlic by itself its so good. And on the burgers - yuuummm! Will be making this a few times
 
ohsoquiet November 15, 2012
Yum!! I was so addicted to the cilantro yogurt I had to make it again the very next day as a base for a potato salad!
 
Stephanie G. July 23, 2012
These were delicious! Everyone complimented them & the yogurt sauce was a terrific accompaniment.
 
sarahlloyd April 9, 2012
This was my fun (and fast!) twist on a traditional Easter lamb brunch, and was enjoyed immensely.

So much so that I later made a "lamburgini" joke to my roommate...

The meal I'll repeat; The pun: NEVER.
 
kingdomofjosh April 13, 2011
These were great. Simple, perfection.
 
JimHero February 22, 2010
I made this a few nights ago, absolutely delicious and crowd-pleasing, though I did change a few things. I spiced the lamb a little bit more with some garlic and parsley, and I had to add a dash or two of milk to the yogurt to loosen it up. Can't wait to make again!
 
PhoebeLapine September 11, 2009
'm so glad you submitted this recipe--lamb burgers are my absolute favorite! The meat is always so much more flavorful than regular ground beef and it gives you a lot more room to be creative with classic flavor combinations. I would highly recommend trying some mint in there to give it a Mediterranean twist. I did this once and topped it with mint raita and it turned out amazing! http://tinyurl.com/ckfeuj

Can't wait to try your version as well!!
 
Veronica July 2, 2009
In a word--FABULOUS! Felt like "summer" in this non-summer time!
 
Veronica July 2, 2009
In a word--FABULOUS! Felt like "summer" in this non-summer time!
 
Veronica July 2, 2009
Sorry---clicked twice! Still FABULOUS!