Simple Moroccan Lamb Burgers
One of the most important aspects of any healthy eating journey is variety – it keeps us all sane and satisfied. I draw a lot of inspiration from various cuisines around the world. It’s not as complicated as you may think – it’s just a matter of pairing different spices and herbs together, and when necessary, incorporating regional sauces/spices.
Here’s a delicious Moroccan-inspired lamb burger recipe using a sauce you can find in most grocery stores – harissa. It’s spicy, with a subtle smoky peppery flavor, kind of like smoked paprika.
I like using ground lamb because it is higher in fat and has CLAs and omega-6 fatty acids, which is helpful at the moment since I’m following a cyclical ketogenic diet (meaning I’m on it for a few weeks, then I move off of it). If you are trying to keep the fat in your diet much lower, then I suggest using a leaner form of ground meat. This will also result in a higher amount of protein as well.
Ingredients
Ingredients for 4 burgers:
- Burger patty
- 1lb ground lamb (I purchased Private Selection brand from Kroger, Ralph’s, Fred Meyers)
- 2 teaspoons harissa sauce
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or minced garlic)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped mint
1 teaspoon cayenne - pinch sea salt & pepper
- olive oil spray
- Yogurt sauce:
- 1/2 peeled cucumber, diced very small
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped mint
- 6 tablespoons 2% Greek yogurt (or coconut/soy yogurt if you want a dairy free option)
- sea salt & pepper to taste
- fresh lemon juice to taste (optional)
- fresh dill to taste (optional)
- Garnish
- Mixed green salad
- Red onion slices
Steps
Step 1
In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce. Set aside.
Step 2
In another bowl, mix together the ingredients for the lamb burger. Once mixed, form 4 equal sized patties.
Step 3
Lightly spray a nonstick skillet with olive oil and set it on medium heat. Once hot, add the patties to the skillet and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, ensuring that each side is seared and the inside of the patty is completely cooked. You can also sear the patties on each side for 1 to 2 minutes, then immediately place in the oven on broil for 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 4
Serve/enjoy immediately with a mixed green salad and yogurt sauce.
Approximate macros for 1 of 4 servings (WITH yogurt sauce without garnish)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hey, I'm Kevin
My name is Kevin. My life changed when I realized that healthy living is a lifelong journey, mainly won by having a well-balanced diet and maintaining an active lifestyle.
By experimenting in the kitchen and sharing my meals on Tumblr, I learned healthy eating is not boring! By making a few adjustments to my favorite foods, I could design a diet that could help me achieve my wellness goals while satisfying my desire for BANGIN food! 😅 Now I try to help people around the world realize that same level of freedom in eating regardless of budget. Welcome, let's #DemocratizeWellness together!