It’s burger season. I don’t care if it’s cold out or a 100 degrees…it’s time to enjoy some summery meals and eat outdoors. The weather here has been decent (knock on wood). Our summers in the Pacific Northwest often don’t begin until July 5th, but I have my hopes up. We’ve already had our first 90-degree day….kind of amazing for these parts.
Anyway, with Father’s Day coming up it’s time to start getting some of my husband’s favorite recipes and food together. And for him, that means lamb. I showed you a picture last week of all the lamb currently stuffed in my freezer. The hubby couldn’t be happier, it’s his absolute favorite.
In order to make a juicier, more complex burger, I paired together three different types of ground meat; chuck, lamb and pork. I call it the meat trifecta and it’s the perfect combination for a juicier burger. And if you love lamb, the flavor comes through nicely and doesn’t disappear within the other meat.
I let the tomatoes soak in seasoned rice vinegar while I prepared the burgers. It definitely adds flavor to the larger tomatoes, which can get mealy tasting very easily. The flavor is not overwhelming, but adds something nice to the overall burger.
The Feta-Curry dressing is just a phenomenal way to top this meat off. It’s bright and kind of dances in your mouth with every bite. Don’t skip this addition.
Take a big bite for me.
Mediterranean Burger with Creamy Feta-Curry Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced into 8 rounds
- 1 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 lb ground chuck
- 1/2 pound ground lamb
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 container (5.3 oz) nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped mint
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 large red onion, sliced into rings
- 8 poppy seed Kaiser rolls or other good quality buns
Directions
- In a large bowl, soak tomato slices in rice vinegar. Continue soaking until you are ready to build your burger.
- In a large bowl combine ground chuck, lamb and pork. Make meat into 8 (1/4 pound) burger patties. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, feta cheese, mint, lemon juice, curry powder, garlic and black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook burgers as you prefer, either on the grill or the stove to desired doneness.
- Toast buns or rolls. Build burger in this order: bottom half of bun, red onion, burger, tomato, feta-curry sauce and top half of bun.
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Katie says
This burger sounds and looks divine… And the meat trifecta?!? Genius!
Elizabeth says
This burger looks FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa says
Love the idea of marinating the tomatoes . . .
Hvmom says
Definately will make these. And the buns! Do tell. Please and thanks !
Maria in Oregon says
This reminds me of the “kotletki” my grandfather used to barbeque! Big, fat, thick burgers made with ground lamb, bread brumbs, and a little egg to bind them. Delish! I can just picture my Russian grandfather, wearing one of his loud Hawaiian shirts, turning these over on the barbeque! I can almost smell them!
Brenda S 'Okie in Colorado' says
I can’t wait to make this!
Maegan @thebakermama says
I’ve been dreaming of this burger since you posted it and can’t wait to make it! The meat trifecta sounds marvelous and the marinated tomatoes look fabulous! Can’t wait!
[email protected] says
now THIS is a burger! I think I need to try that whole three kinds of meat thing! 🙂
DessertForTwo says
I’m obsessed with your idea to marinate tomatoes in rice vinegar! Thanks so much. These burgers look like the stuff of my dreams 🙂
DessertForTwo says
also..think there’s a typo. It’s juiciest, right? Now I’m convincing myself I’m wrong. haha
Cathy says
Bah…yes!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
Now that is one tasty looking burger!
TERRY MAYS says
I am not a feta fan can you suggest another way to make a creamy sause
Cathy says
Use a crumbled cheese of your liking.