Mediterranean Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
So full of fabulous flavor hot off the grill, Mediterranean Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce are great with or without grilled pita bread. Try the veggies and olives too!
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 burgers
Ingredients
  • 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1½ pounds ground lamb or beef
  • ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 pita pockets
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • ¼ medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 romaine lettuce leaves
For Tzatziki sauce:
  • ½ cup plain low-fat, Greek-style yogurt
  • ¼ cup finely chopped seeded cucumber
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground red pepper.
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, combine feta cheese, oregano, rosemary, ½ tsp. pepper, and the lemon zest. Add ground meat and mix gently. Form into four 1-in.-thick patties.
  2. In a blender, whirl olives, dill, parsley, lemon juice, sugar, and remaining ¼ tsp. pepper. Add 3 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. at a time, to make a smooth paste.
  3. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-hot (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above cooking grate only 3 to 4 seconds). Grill burgers, turning once, until browned on both sides and cooked through (cut to test), 10 to 12 minutes total.
  4. Toast pita pockets on the grill. Brush toasted sides with remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil and spread each with about 1 tsp. of the olive spread. Add some Tzatziki Sauce. Top with burgers, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and romaine.
For Tzatziki sauce:
  1. Combine plain low-fat, Greek-style yogurt, finely chopped seeded cucumber, salt and ground red pepper. Set aside.
Recipe by Cheery Kitchen at https://cheerykitchen.com/mediterranean-burgers-with-tzatziki-sauce/