Grilled Lamb Burgers with Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese
This best lamb burger recipe is so juicy, flavorful, and perfect. One of those licks your fingers because you don’t want to waste that on the napkin kind of meal.
Equipment
Outdoor grill or grill pan
Rimmed baking sheet
parchment paper
10-inch skillet
Instant-read thermometer
Mixing bowl (large)
Spatula
Ingredients
For the burger patties
1.5 pounds ground lamb (minced lamb) - minced lamb, about 680g
½ teaspoon paprika - for the burger patties- ¼ teaspoon Zoe's Spice of Life - or substitute a pinch each of dried oregano and garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper - for the burger patties
3 oz goat cheese - 85g, about 1.5 tablespoons per burger
For the sweet potato fries
3 medium sweet potatoes - about 1.5 lb / 680g total
2 tablespoons avocado oil - for the fries- ½ teaspoon paprika - for the fries
½ teaspoon garlic powder - for the fries- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper - for the fries
For the caramelized onions & assembly
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil - for the onions
1 medium white onion - sliced
4 whole hamburger buns - whole wheat; substitute lettuce wraps or gluten-free buns if preferred
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C (220°C fan-forced).
- Cut the sweet potatoes into 1/4-inch (6mm) thick fry-shaped sticks — no need to peel them. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the fries with 2 tablespoons avocado oil, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper. Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.3 medium sweet potatoes, 2 tablespoons avocado oil, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Season with salt as soon as they come out of the oven.3 medium sweet potatoes
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 200°C). In a large bowl, gently combine the ground lamb, paprika, Zoe's Spice of Life (or oregano and garlic powder substitute), salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix just until the spices are evenly distributed — do not overwork. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties about 3/4-inch (2cm) thick. Press a shallow indent into the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming during cooking.1.5 pounds ground lamb (minced lamb), 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon Zoe's Spice of Life, 1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Once you have formed your burgers, slice the onion. Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to a skillet on medium heat, then add the onions. Keep the heat at medium so the onions don't burn. Stir occasionally and cook for 10–15 minutes until they are deeply golden and caramelized.1 tablespoon avocado oil, 1 medium white onion
- Place the patties on the grill and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer. During the last 2 minutes, add the goat cheese on top of each patty and close the grill lid to let it soften. Remove the burgers from the grill and let them rest for 3 minutes before assembling.1.5 pounds ground lamb (minced lamb), 3 oz goat cheese
- Toast the buns on the grill for 30–60 seconds if desired. Assemble each burger with a patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and serve alongside the sweet potato fries.4 whole hamburger buns, 1 medium white onion
Notes
Storage: Cooked patties keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store onions and patties separately so the onions don't make the meat soggy. Freeze individually wrapped in plastic wrap then foil for up to 2 months — thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Place patties in a covered skillet on medium-low with a splash of water to steam back to temperature without drying out. Re-crisp leftover sweet potato fries in a 400°F / 200°C oven for 8–10 minutes. Do not microwave the fries.
Make-Ahead: Form patties up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate on a parchment-lined plate, covered. Bring to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling.
Substitutions: Ground beef (80/20) or ground turkey work in place of lamb. Feta can replace goat cheese. Any neutral oil substitutes for avocado oil. Zoe's Spice of Life can be replaced with a pinch each of dried oregano and garlic powder. Lettuce wraps or gluten-free buns work for gluten-free diets.
Pro Tips: Use a thumb indent in the centre of each patty before grilling — this prevents the burger from puffing into a dome and ensures even cooking. Don't overwork the lamb when mixing in seasonings. Season the fries with salt after baking, not before, to ensure crispiness.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 793kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 35gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 424mgPotassium: 1021mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 24517IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 4mg
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