You’ve never tasted a burger quite like this before! It’s your choice of meat and the incredibly flavorful combination of ingredients makes this a guaranteed winner!
You may already know that I have a slight obsession with Greek Gyros and Döner Kebabs. If you don’t already know that, well, I do. I love them. Madly. Passionately. And so it was just a matter of time before I transformed my love affair into a burger. But it’s not even just a “gyros” burger. It’s sooooo much more than that! Can you guess what flavors are packed into these juicy, succulent, burger patties? First off, you’ve got your choice of meat: Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey. Then we’ve got garlic, red onions, fresh parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, my special Greek seasoning, and crumbled feta cheese. Then they’re topped with tomatoes, red onions, my special tzatziki sauce, and extra crumbled feta cheese. And all that sitting on a bed of fresh, zesty arugula leaves. Can you imagine the burst of flavors you’ll get when you bite into one of these?
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Greek Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Flavorful Greek burgers topped with homemade tzatziki sauce and fresh arugula. A simple yet satisfying BBQ meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) ground meat (your choice: beef, pork, lamb, chicken or turkey)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Homemade Greek Seasoning
- 2 cups (473 ml) arugula leaves
- 1/2 cup Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Extra crumbled feta cheese
- 4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
- 1 cups (237 ml) plain Greek or whole milk yogurt
- 1 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, very finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine all Tzatziki Sauce ingredients in a medium glass bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before use.
- Combine all the spices and grind them to a fine powder in a spice or coffee grinder. Store in an airtight jar until ready to use.
- Combine the meat, red onion, parsley, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, feta cheese and Greek seasoning in a mixing bowl. Work with your fingers until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Form into 4 patties.
- Grill or pan fry over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or according to desired doneness. If using poultry or pork, make sure it is thoroughly cooked through.
- Arrange some arugula leaves on the bottoms of each hamburger bun and place the patties on top. Top with tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki sauce, and crumbled feta cheese. Place the top bun on each burger and serve immediately with extra tzatziki sauce.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of ground meats like beef and lamb.
- To make ahead, prepare the burger patties and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with a similar amount of finely chopped roasted red peppers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these burgers taste Greek?
The patties are seasoned with classic Mediterranean flavors like oregano, garlic, and often feta cheese mixed right into the ground meat. Serving them with tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber sauce, ties everything together.
Can I make the tzatziki ahead of time?
Yes, and it actually improves with time. Make it at least an hour before serving so the garlic and dill can meld into the yogurt. Store it covered in the fridge for up to two days.
Should I use lamb, beef, or a mix for the patties?
A blend of ground lamb and beef gives you the best of both, rich flavor from the lamb with enough fat from beef to keep the patty juicy. Pure ground beef works fine if lamb is not available.
