What's your ultimate mint pairing? For me it is a toss up between mint chocolate and lamb & mint. Completely different flavor profiles, both delicious and both minty! These spicy lamb burgers with minty green goddess mayo are so packed with flavor. Indian spiced lamb burgers topped with minty green goddess mayo and balsamic onions. I know it seems like a lot of work but its actually a pretty easy dinner and completely worth it!
The Burger
Using ground lamb (which I find in my local supermarket, but you can also try a local butcher) had always been intimating for me. I think lamb in general was a bit of an unknown territory for me. But I decided to play around with the flavors I knew. For me that was homemade chicken burgers and Green and Smoky Chicken Meatballs and lamb kebabs. (Looking for a meat-free alternative? I would reach for a plant based burger option for this recipe?
Using a similar flavor profile, I used generous amounts of garam masala, garlic and ginger to season these lamb burgers. All of these seasonings are spicy, strong and earthy, which pair nicely with lamb.
The other trick is to use a warming spice like cinnamon, allspice or clove for lamb. In this recipe I use cinnamon. Cinnamon and lamb though they sound like an unusual pairing is actually quite traditional, especially in Middle Eastern preparations of the meat. It was used as a marination spice due to its preserving properties but the strong flavor of cinnamon is also the perfect match for the similarly strong flavor of lamb.
This combination of spices actually turned out so amazing with the lamb burgers! But what's a burger without toppings??
Minty Green Goddess Mayo
This minty green goddess mayo is the perfect pairing with lamb burgers. Its simple but has just the right amount of earthiness, spicy, freshness to compliment the lamb. I used scallions to provide a mild onion flavor, but instead of raw scallions, I charred them slightly to sweeten them. This charring step makes a big difference in the flavor of this green goddess.
Of course the main flavor is the fresh mint! I intentionally decided not to include it in the lamb patty itself because I was afraid of cooking the mint and losing the flavor. In the green goddess mayo, you just need a few leaves of fresh mint to get the flavor of mint. Remember be careful of overdoing it with the fresh mint - you do not want toothpaste flavored mayo!
Balsamic Red Onions
The last component for this burger is the balsamic red onions. Try not to skip out on these! You need topping for your burgers right? If you're slicing onions for your burgers, just take the extra few minutes and saute them in balsamic vinegar. It completely changes the flavor of the onions by making them sweet and tangy and caramelized! But also the sweet tangy onions with the spiced lamb burgers and minty creamy green goddess is out of this world! Try it!
Lamb Burgers with Minty Green Goddess Mayo
Ingredients
- 6 Brioche burger buns
- 2 cups chopped lettuce
Lamb Burgers
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 4 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oil
Minty Green Goddess Mayo
- 2 scallions chopped
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mint chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt & pepper to taste
Balsamic Red Onions
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 red onions thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
Lamb Burgers
- In a mixing bowl, add all of the ingredients (except the oil) for the lamb burger. Mix to combine everything (I usually use my hands for the easiest and quickest mix). Divide the meat mixture into 6 equal portions, form into patties.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan on medium high heat. Cook the lamb patties in the skillet for about 5-8 minutes per side. Remove the patties from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Minty Green Goddess Mayo
- In a small pan, heat olive oil to medium heat. Add chopped scallions and saute for about 3 minutes, charring the scallions a little.
- Remove from heat and add the charred scallions to a blender container. Add the mint, parsley, lemon juice, mayo, salt and pepper to the blender as well. Blend until smooth. Pour into another container, set aside to serve with the lamb burgers.
Balsamic Red Onions
- Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat (I use the same pan used for the scallions) add the sliced red onions, sugar, balsamic vinegar. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the onions are slightly softened and the vinegar has reduced.
Assemble the Lamb Burgers
- Build each lamb burger with a generous serving of minty green goddess mayo and balsamic red onions, plus some chopped lettuce on a brioche bun!
Audrey
Such a great recipe for ground lamb.
Jill Patel
Thanks Audrey!! Its super flavorful and delicious!
Chef Dennis
I feel so hungry! I want a full bite of this right now!
Jill Patel
Thanks Dennis! Its really a great burger!!
Linda
Can't believe this recipe takes less than 30 minutes and look at that minty dressing. Definitely, a must-try!
Jill Patel
Thanks Linda, Yes its really so quick! Sometimes I'm surprised myself lol!
Addison
This burger is insane!
Jill Patel
Thanks Addison! Its so flavorful and actually easy to make!!