Should I eat it? How will it taste? Similar to hesitations when trying anything new, I was a bit reluctant when I ate lamb first couple of times. It was a red wine stewed lamb T- bone at one of the elaborate buffets here and the husband was all over it. I could not help but stare at his enthusiasm. If I remember correctly, it was only lamb that he ate all night. Eventually I fell prey to his company and gave in. No points for guessing that I did not quite like it at first, you know how clingy we can get to childhood tastes-  firstly the lingering taste of mutton I grew up with & secondly I am not quite up for wine sauces - not yet.
During the initial years, we never really cooked it at home.I scurried through the supermarket aisles just looking at the the wide variety of cuts available but never really bought it.
However, once I did (thinking I will empty my spice box while cooking to layer 'that' taste),there was no going back. Lamb paired so beautifully with those cardamons & turmeric in my kitchen and as I cooked it more, adding indian flair to recipes, we slowly embraced it as a regular in our meals. Even though mutton mince ispopular back home, after eating it more and more, we have as much love for lamb dishes in our household now as poultry & seafood. Due to its easy availability, I have substituted all my keema recipes with lamb mince & there is hardly anything not to like. Equally good, equally satisfying & equally delicious is all I can say.
This lamb burger is for those days when we are looking for a change & feeling lazy to cook but still want to eat at home. It is hearty. It is big, spicy and juicy. It is something which is a quick every now & then dinner for us.
I like to stuff my buns with lots of tomatoes, and with that mint laced, garlicky yogurt or whatever salad leaves at hand, however the husband keeps all that at bay. His meaty version is indulgent in itself with just the mince patty & lots & lots of onion slices and kettle chips on the side (which by the way are a must out here).
Spicy Lamb Burger (With Garlic Mint Yogurt)
Ingredients
For Spicy Lamb Burgers
- 1 lb ground lamb (I use 85/15)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1.5 teaspoon ginger minced
- 2-3 green chillies (hot), finely chopped, adjust to taste
- 10 fresh mint leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon roasted coriander powder
- Pinch cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
For the Yogurt Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain yogurt I use Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon mint leaves finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon Lemon juice
- Salt & Pepper to taste
For assembling the burgers
- 6 burger bubs
- 6 Lettuce Leaves
- 6 round onion slices
- 6 round tomato slices
- 6 Pepper Jack slices
Instructions
Make The Yogurt Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix up the mayo & yogurt. Mince the garlic clove using your microplane and add the mint leaves to the yogurt. Add lemon juice, salt & pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Lamb Burger
- In a bowl, add the lamb mince. Add the garlic, ginger, mint, cilantro & green chillies. Add all the ground spices over it along with saltl.Using a fork (or your hands), lightly combine the mince. If you have time, you can cover the bowl with a cling film & let it sit in the fridge for 20-30 minutes or so to develop flavors. Else use it right away.
- Heat up a cast iron pan. Divide the lamb mince into six equal portions.(We do not like very thick patties, so I could make 6 out of these, however if making thicker patties, divide into 4 portions).
- Brush a teaspoon of oil on the pan and cook the patties on moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook on the other side, about 3-4 minutes more.
- Once cooked, add the cheese on top and cover with a lid, the cheese should melt in under a minute. Note - We like our burgers cooked through and the times are noted for that. If you like your burgers pink in bewteen, please reduce the cooking time.These burgers grill beautifully, you can use your outdoor grill to good use for cooking these.
- After the patties have cooked, you will see lot of fat and juices on the pan, soak it up by warming up the bun halves on the same pan.
- Assemble the burgers by slathering the yogurt mayo on both sides of the buns,add in the onion & tomato slices, lettuce and place the cooked patties.Serve.
Rosa Mayland
Droolworthy! That is one fabulous burger.
Cheers,
Rosa
Shema | LifeScoops
I am drooling Tanvi !! sounds delicious!!
Tanvi
Thank you -xx
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily
Funny, I'm not a big meat eater but I do like most lamb dishes. This looks fantastic! I don't like regular hamburgers w beef.
Tanvi
Is it? I always thought that beef ones are the real stuff which people like. My family loves Lamb!
applesandsparkle
Agh! This burger looks to-die-for! I was also a slow convert to lamb. And my husband loved it before me as well. But now, I love it. It's such a treat. I love finding new lamb recipes to try and this one is a must. Pinned!
Tanvi
Thank you. My lamb love comes from husband too like I mentioned. Its how you eat and eat & then start liking it.
Joyti
Delicious, I'm sure. And the photographs are gorgeous, GORGEOUS!
Tanvi
Thank you my dear.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
I could sink my teeth into this succulent juicy burgers now, past midnight! Need 😀
Tanvi
Wish I could overnight parcel you some. Thanks sweetheart!
MyKabulKitchen
Looks delicious, I cant imagine my life without lamp isn't that horrible? Its just moister and richer then beef, growing up my parents would make very similar burgers at home (with only yogurt no mayonnaise as my dad is so health conscious) and my American friends were always amazed by how moist the burgers were...I never cared to share that they were actually eating lamb and not beef simply because I didn't want them to be alarmed though lamb has become more common in the states now. Your pictures have me wanting to eat my computer screen so mission accomplished once again 🙂
Tanvi
My husband will not eat it if I do not put mayo 🙂 I know what you mean about lamb getting popular. When I first came here it was not that easy to find. But now so easy. Its a must buy for us every now and then. Thank you for your kindness. And yup, I guess you should share your recipe sometime!
Asmita (@FoodieAsmita)
Gorgeous!
My mouth is watering!!
spicesandpisces
You are killing me now. I have been craving Prerna's lamb burger for a decade an now it's you. Gosh...no escape for me. Have to make it asap. Looks super delicious.
Tanvi
My friend, its high time you make one for yourself & also share your recipe with us:) And stay warm, saw your Insta feed, its snowing again, darn!
spicesandpisces
We had a beautiful lamb stew today. Now it's the time for the burger. You truly are one of my inspirations. 🙂 Love.
atasteofmadess
Lamb burger? This is gorgeous! I have got to try it sometime!