If you’ve been looking for ways to upgrade your burgers, you might just fall in love with our crave-worthy Lamb Kofta Burgers! Inspired by the rich and aromatic dishes of the Middle East, this recipe combines juicy ground lamb with an irresistible blend of spices and fresh herbs for a truly unforgettable burger.
Table of Contents
What are lamb kofta burgers?
Our lamb kofta burgers are a mouthwatering twist on a classic burger, bringing all the vibrant flavors of the Middle East right to your plate. “Kofta” refers to a spiced meatball or patty in many parts of the Middle East, South Asia, and the Balkans, and these burgers are our take on the traditional version. We mix juicy ground lamb with a heavenly blend of spices like cumin, 7 spice, coriander, and allspice, plus fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro. Then we throw in some finely chopped onions and garlic and cook it up for a burger that’s bursting with flavor!
These lamb kofta burgers are rich with a flavor profile that’s anything but ordinary. Serve them up with a dollop of creamy yogurt sauce, tangy tzatziki, or nutty tahini dressing, all tucked into a toasted bun or warm pita bread. No matter how you customize it, we guarantee this burger is bound to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients You Need
- Ground Lamb Or Ground Beef – While we love using lamb, you can use ground beef if you prefer.
- Jalapeno – We like to add a little kick to our burgers with this spicy goodness — feel free to dial it down or take it up a notch depending on your palate.
- Garlic – Garlic adds savory depth to the burger — in our house, no burger is complete without it!
- Onion – Onions bring a subtle sharpness to the table and perfectly balance the richness of the meat.
- Parsley – Parsley adds a pop of vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor.
- Cilantro – Cilantro adds a slightly citrusy zing that pairs beautifully with the other spices.
- Ground Allspice – We love sprinkling in this in for warm, subtle sweetness.
- Ground Coriander – Earthy and lemony, coriander seeds add a warm, nutty flavor that’s simply irresistible.
- Ground Cumin – Smoky and slightly peppery, cumin is a must-have for that authentic Middle Eastern flavor.
- 7 Spice – This is a magical blend of spices that’s like a flavor bomb. It gives our burgers a rich and complex flavor profile.
- Sea Salt – This essential seasoning makes all the flavors pop!
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper – This classic spice adds just the right amount of gentle heat that rounds out all of the other ingredients.
How to Make Lamb Kofta Burgers
- Combine. Pulse together everything except for the lamb in a food processor. Once the texture is fine but chunky, pour it into a bowl with the lamb and use your hands to mix it together until the ingredients are evenly dispersed.
- Make Patties. Form the lamb mixture into uniform-sized patties.
- Cook. Place the patties on a skillet, in the oven, or on the grill. Then, cook until they reach your preferred doneness.
- Serve. Allow the patties to rest briefly and serve with toasted buns, sumac onions, and tzatziki sauce.
Variations
- Meat – You can swap out the lamb or beef for ground chicken or turkey or mix together a combination of ground meats.
- Cheese – Crumble in a bit of feta for a tangy addition to the burger or sprinkle in your favorite shredded cheese — cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, and parmesan all work well.
- Herbs – Add more fresh flavor by mixing in basil, rosemary, or thyme. Or, if you’re not a fan of cilantro, substitute Thai basil or dill.
- Smokiness – Give the burgers a smoky flavor with harissa or smoked paprika.
- Citrus – Brighten up the burgers with a bit of lemon zest.
Can I Store Leftovers?
You can absolutely store these burgers — they’re perfect for
Place leftover lamb burgers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freeze lamb burgers in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
More Meaty Recipes
If you’re looking for more mouthwatering meals that make meat the star of the show, you came to the right place! Take a peek at more of our meaty dishes that are bound to become new favorites:
Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad
Lamb Kofta Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 jalapeño finely diced, seeded (optional for less heat)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion quartered
- ½ cup parsley
- ½ cup cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon 7 spice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or ground beef
Instructions
- In a food processor, add all ingredients except for the ground lamb. Pulse until fine chunks form, being careful not to over-process. Alternatively, finely chop by hand.1 jalapeño, 4 cloves garlic, 1 medium onion, ½ cup parsley, ½ cup cilantro, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon 7 spice, 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the ground lamb. Mix thoroughly until well combined.1 1/2 pounds ground lamb or ground beef
- Divide the mixture into 6-8 patties.
- Cook the patties to the desired doneness.
- Serve with tzatziki sauce and sumac onions.
Equipment
Would you like to save this? 🔖
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you write down what spices the 7 spice contain please?
This is a good recipe for it!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
So much better when it’s homemade!!!:)
This is such a fun way to switch up burger night!