Mediterranean Burger with Tzatziki
Published 6/21/2024
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Add some flavor and excitement to your next barbeque with this tasty Mediterranean Burger with Tzatziki! The burger patties are packed with veggies and feta cheese and the refreshing tzatziki sauce is like a taste of summer in every bite. The best part? You don’t even need a grill!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good juicy homemade burger hot off the grill, but sometimes it’s nice to switch up the flavor profile of your burgs. With this Mediterranean burger, fresh ingredients meet bold flavors for a healthier twist on a classic favorite.
Making them is easy. Start by making the homemade tzatziki and letting it cool in the fridge. Then, cook your burger veggie fillings, mix them in with the ground meat, and pan-fry your burgers. Assemble with your favorite toppings, and eat up!
Mediterranean Burger – Featured Ingredients
- Greek yogurt: The base of the tzatziki sauce. It adds a creamy, tangy element that is famous in Mediterranean dishes.
- Cucumber: Cool, crunchy, and refreshing! Cucumber is used for both the sauce and as a topping for the Mediterranean burgers.
- Lemon juice: Gives the tzatziki sauce brightness, acidity, and a citrusy kick.
- Fresh mint: Mint is a staple herb in Mediterranean cooking and contrasts so well with the other sauce ingredients.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: Adds an extra layer of flavor and a slight sweetness to the burger patties.
- Fresh spinach: Finely chopped spinach is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies and add moisture to the burger patties.
- Ground meat: We used ground chicken and pork for a lighter, leaner twist on the traditional beef patty.
- Feta cheese: I love the burst of salty, tangy goodness feta cheese adds to these burger patties!
What can I swap for spinach?
Feel free to replace spinach with chopped kale. It’s just as nutritious and adds a slightly different flavor to the burger.
Can I use another type of meat?
You can use any mixture of ground pork, ground chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey. Just note that ground pork and ground beef will offer more fat content!
Delicious Mediterranean Burger Toppings
We LOVE this Mediterranean burger recipe with sliced cucumbers and red onion rounds. However, we encourage you to add anything that sounds tasty to you! Here are some ideas for inspo:
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes add a juicy pop of flavor.
Hummus: Instead of using traditional burger spreads, try adding a generous dollop of hummus on top for extra creaminess and flavor!
Olives: Sliced kalamata olives are a classic Mediterranean topping and add a nice salty bite to the burger.
Roasted red peppers: These add a sweet, smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients in the burger. You can use jarred or make your own at home! OR try our Roasted Red Pepper Hummus!
Great Jones
Cast Iron Pan
The Great Jones King Sear is our favorite cast iron pan. It’s definitely worth the splurge to add to your kitchen collection!
here’s a tip!
Don’t overwork the meat. Be gentle when mixing and shaping the patties. Overworking can make them tough!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either microwave them for a minute or two or place them in a hot skillet for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Our Favorite Pairings for Mediterranean Burgers
We love serving these burgers with a side of crispy homemade fries like these Air Fryer Zucchini Fries or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
You can also keep on theme with this delicious Mediterranean Couscous Salad or Mediterranean Grilled Street Corn with Feta Cheese!
For a nice refresher, enjoy this burger with this summery Hibiscus Arnold Palmer Drink. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart!
Mediterranean Burger Recipe
Ingredients
Cucumber Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons grated cucumber
- 2 cloves grated garlic
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves ripped
Burger
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, the oil
- ½ white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 5 oz. fresh spinach
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ¼ lb. ground pork
- ¾ cup feta
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Other Ingredients
- Sliced cucumbers
- Red onion rounds
- 5-6 burger buns
Instructions
- Begin by making the cucumber sauce, first. Mix all of the ingredients for the cucumber sauce into a large bowl. Mix to combine and transfer to the refrigerator to cool.
- Heat a large skillet over medium and add the sun-dried tomatoes, white onion, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes. The onion should be soft and translucent.
- Add the spinach to the pan and cook until it has wilted by ¾. If your pan is not big enough, you may need to add spinach in batches. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Once the vegetable mixture has cooled, add the ground chicken, ground pork, and feta cheese. Mix with your hands until just combined.
- Form 5-6 burger patties and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a ½ teaspoon of oil. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook 1 or 2 at one time. Cook each patty for 3-5 minutes on each side.
- Cook all the patties and assemble the burgers. Place each burger patty on a bun and top with red onion rounds, sliced cumbers, and cucumber sauce. Top with the other half of the bun and enjoy.
Tips & Notes
- Feel free to replace spinach with kale.
- You can use any mixture of ground pork, ground chicken, ground beef, or ground turkey. Ground pork and ground beef will offer more fat content.
- Grilling instructions: preheat your grill to 375ºF – 400ºF. Once your patties are made, place a piece of tin foil on the grill over direct heat. Then, transfer the burger patties onto the tin foil. Cook each side for about 6-7 minutes covered. This will depend on the thickness of your burger. Once the burgers have reached an internal temperature of 160ºF, remove them from the grill and let them sit for 5 minutes.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
Sooooooooo darn good!!!
Absolutely yummy!
The best chicken burgers I’ve ever had.
This Mediterranean Burger with Tzatziki is a flavor-packed twist on a classic favorite! Emily Richter’s recipe combines juicy patties with refreshing tzatziki for a delightful and unique culinary experience.