Juicy and succulent Greek Burger with Tzatziki, Tapenade, and Feta - perfect for the grill or in the skillet and packed with the great Mediterranean flavors you love!
Ingredients
Tzatziki:
2 large garlic cloves
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 cups Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon tahini (mix well before using)
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
½ lemon, juiced
1½ cups English cucumber, seeded and finely diced
Tapenade:
½ cup pitted kalamata olives
¼ cup pimento stuffed olives
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon capers, drained
Burgers:
2 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
1½ pounds ground lamb (beef or turkey will work too)
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 heaping tablespoons crumbled feta
4 hamburger buns, split
½ red onion, sliced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
Instructions
To make the tzatziki, use a mortar and pestle to mash the garlic and salt together until it forms a paste. If you do not have a mortar and pestle start by finely mincing the garlic. Sprinkle the garlic with salt and then tilt the blade so that it forms a shallow angle with the cutting board. Scrape the knife across the garlic repeatedly, until it forms a paste. Then in a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, tahini, mint, and lemon. Add the garlic and salt mixture and combine well. Fold the cucumber into yogurt mixture and refrigerate until ready to use. (This can be made the night before).
Add all of the ingredients for the tapenade to the bowl of a food processor. Process until nearly smooth. (This can be made the night before and refrigerated).
Drain the diced tomatoes in a colander placed in the sink.
Heat your grill to high.* If you're not grilling, heat a heavy bottomed grill pan over high heat.
Divide the ground meat into 4 equal portions. Form them into loose patties a little larger than the diameter of the buns (the patties will shrink when cooked). Once formed make a shallow indentation in the center of each burger. Brush each side of the patty with the oil and sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
Cook the burgers for 3 minutes on the first side and 4 minutes the second side.** During the last minute of cooking, top each burger with a heaping tablespoon of feta and cover. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for a couple of minutes. In the meantime, toast the buns on grill for about a minute.
Spread the tzatziki on the bun bottoms and top each a burger patty. Top with tapenade, tomatoes, red onions, and thyme. Cover with the bun tops, serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
* Lamb can be a bit a fatty, so when the fat drips over the flames of the hot coals it can create flare ups - not good for your burger. To avoid this from happening, close the lid and vents of your grill to starve it of oxygen. ** For medium-rare, cook beef and lamb for a total of 7 minutes. If you're using turkey, you must make sure that they are cooked all the way through to prevent salmonella - the internal temp must reach 165 degrees F. * Inspired by Bobby Flay's Greek Burger
Recipe by at https://hapanom.com/greek-burger-tzatziki-tapenade-feta/