Juicy and flavorful lamb burgers, grilled to perfection and piled high on a pretzel bun. The burgers are slathered in whipped feta, paprika mayo, and finished with tangy pickled red onions for the perfect savory bite.
I first had a lamb burger in a restaurant over 15 years ago, but ever since that first bite I have become a changed woman. Every time I see lamb burgers on a menu I have to order them. I am a huge fan of lamb, I love how flavorful it is on its own, but it’s even more delicious when stacked on a burger. This version has a creamy whipped feta for the cheese, a smoky paprika mayo, and a sprinkling of pickled red onions for the perfect balance of flavors.
What You Need To Make Lamb Burgers with Whipped Feta
There are a number of ingredients and steps to this recipe but all of them are really simple and so worth it. I recommend making the pickled onions and whipped feta ahead of time so when it’s burger o’clock, you have less to worry about! I also love to have both of these in my fridge all week because they can be used in various different ways!
Below is a complete list of all of the ingredients needed to make this recipe, but I break down the steps further, in the post.
- White Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
- White Sugar
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- Feta in brine
- Greek Yogurt
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Juice
- Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Mayo
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground Lamb
- Parsley
- Dried Basil
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Pretzel Buns
- Mixed Greens
For the Pickled Onions
Aside from these burgers, pickled onions can be added to so many dishes from breakfast to lunch to dinner. They are incredibly versatile and add a tangy bite to whatever you’re eating. To see some of my favorite serving suggestions, check out this post!
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Kosher Salt
- White Sugar
- Red Onions
- Garlic
In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil while you fill a glass jar with sliced onions and garlic. Once the liquid comes to a boil, carefully pour the liquid into the jar, making sure to fully submerge the onions. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and set aside for 30 minutes while you prepare the burgers.
For the Whipped Feta
Whipped Feta is one of my favorite things to have in my fridge because it can be used in so many ways! It’s delicious on these burgers because it adds a creamy and tangy element to an otherwise savory and meaty burger. The ingredients are minimal and require little prep work!
- Feta Cheese – in brine, not crubmles. Since the feta is the star, you want to make sure to get a good quality! I love the one from Trader Joes.
- Greek Yogurt
- Lemon Juice + Zest
- Garlic
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
Add all ingredients to a mason jar and blend using an immersion blender until fully combined and fluffy. This can also be done in a blender or food processor if you do not have an immersion blender.
Once the mixture is well combined, taste and adjust any seasoning needed. Store it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. This is a great step to do ahead of time and the leftover whipped feta can be served with pasta, on sandwiches, with veggies & so much more!
To make the Lamb Burgers
- Ground Lamb
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Dried Basil
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
Once you’ve prepped the other ingredients, it’s burger time! The meat mixture is really simple to assemble. Combine the ground lamb with the seasonings, garlic, and parsley and gently mix until well combined. You want the flavors evenly distributed, but if you over mix the meat, it will result in tough burgers. Once combined, form into 4 equal patties. Cook the burgers on a BBQ or grill pan over medium-high heat until cooked to your desired doneness. I like medium, but you can cook your burgers as much as you’d like!
Assembling the Lamb Burgers
The last step before assembling the burgers is preparing the paprika mayo. This is simply done by combining the mayo and smoked paprika. Spread the paprika mayo in the bottom bun, then top with mixed greens. Layer on your lamb burger and top with pickled onions.
Spread the whipped feta on the top bun, then close up your burger and you’re ready to enjoy! I recommend having a few napkins within reach, this is one juicy burger!
Questions About this Recipe
The flavor of this burger comes from the ground lamb, but if you cannot find it, I recommend bison, beef or chicken as a replacement!
I recommend preparing the pickled onions and whipped feta ahead of time because they only get better with time in the fridge. You can also prepare the paprika mayo ahead of time. The burgers can be grilled ahead of time, I recommend cooking them just under your desired doneness so when you rehat for serving, they don’t become overcooked.
If you have leftover Pickled Red Onions, check out my Roast Beef Sandwiches!
Lamb Burgers with Whipped Feta
Equipment
- Grill Pan or BBQ
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions
- ½ cup White Vinegar
- ½ cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¾ tablespoon White Sugar
- 1 Red Onion thinly sliced
- 1 clove Garlic thinly sliced
For the Whipped Feta
- 4 oz Feta in brine, not crumbles
- 3 oz Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 clove Garlic roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¾ tablespoon Olive Oil
For the Lamb Burgers
- ½ cup Mayo
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 lb Ground Lamb
- 1 clove Garlic grated or minced
- ¼ cup chopped Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 4 Pretzel Buns split & toasted
- 2 cups Mixed Greens
Instructions
For the Pickled Onions
- In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Bring to a boil while you fill a glass jar with sliced onions and garlic. Once liquid comes to a boil, carefully pour liquid into the jar, making sure to fully submerge the onions. Cover with a tight fitting lid and set aside for 30 minutes while you prepare the burgers.½ cup White Vinegar, ½ cup Water, 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, ¾ tablespoon White Sugar, 1 Red Onion, 1 clove Garlic
For the Whipped Feta
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar and blend using an immersion blender until fully combined and fluffy. This can also be done in a blender or food processor if you do not have an immersion blender.4 oz Feta, 3 oz Greek Yogurt, 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, 1 clove Garlic, ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper, ¾ tablespoon Olive Oil
- Taste and adjust for seasoning before storing in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
For the Lamb Burgers
- In a small bowl combine mayo and smoked paprika and mix until fully incorporated. Set aside.½ cup Mayo, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- In a medium sized bowl, combine ground lamb and all seasonings. Using a clean hand or dinner fork, work the seasonings evenly into the meat. You want the seasonings mixed evenly, but do not overwork the meat because it will get tough.1 lb Ground Lamb, 1 clove Garlic, ¼ cup chopped Parsley, 1 teaspoon Dried Basil, ½ teaspoon Cumin, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Form the mixture into 4 equal patties. Each burger will be roughly 4 ounces.
- Heat your BBQ or grill pan over medium high heat and spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Once hot, carefully add the burgers and cook on each side for 4-5 minutes, until they are browned and cooked to your liking. I prefer medium for these burgers, but you can cook them however you enjoy.
- To assemble, spread the bottom of your toasted bun with paprika mayo, top with a handful of mixed greens, add the burger and top with pickled red onions. Spread the top bun with whipped feta, close up the burger, and enjoy!4 Pretzel Buns, 2 cups Mixed Greens
[…] more meaty recipes, check out my Lamb Burgers, Beef Wellington Bites, or Easy Steak […]