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Kofta Burgers with Grilled Onions, Feta, and Fresh Tzatziki Recipe

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4.1 from 75 reviews

These Kofta Burgers are flavorful grilled patties made with ground beef, fresh herbs, and shredded zucchini, topped with crumbled feta cheese and served on toasted ciabatta buns. Accompanied by a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce and grilled onions, this recipe offers a delicious Mediterranean-inspired twist on the classic burger, perfect for a satisfying and juicy meal.

Ingredients

For the Burgers

  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound grass-fed ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 cup shredded zucchini

For the Grill

  • 1 medium red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 4 ciabatta buns

For the Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 cup lactose-free whole milk yogurt (or unsweetened coconut yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/2 cup seeded and diced English cucumber
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley or cilantro
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill

For Serving

  • 1 cup baby arugula

Instructions

  1. Mix the Burger Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine minced shallot, garlic, chopped parsley, cilantro, egg, smoked paprika, ground coriander, kosher salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and ground beef. Use a fork to thoroughly mix all ingredients until well incorporated.
  2. Add Shredded Zucchini: Place shredded zucchini in a dish towel and squeeze out excess moisture. Add the dried zucchini to the burger mixture and stir well to evenly distribute throughout the meat.
  3. Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl tightly with cling wrap and refrigerate for about one hour. This step firms up the mixture, ensuring the burgers hold their shape when grilled.
  4. Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to form the patties.
  5. Form the Burger Patties: Remove the chilled burger mixture from the fridge and divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then press each ball into a patty about 1/2-inch thick on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Prep the Onions: Brush the red onion slices with avocado oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.
  7. Grill the Burgers and Onions: Place the patties carefully on one side of the grill and the onions on the other. Close the grill lid and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes.
  8. Flip and Continue Cooking: After 4 minutes, flip both the burgers and the onion slices. Close the lid again and grill for another 4 minutes until the burgers are cooked through and the onions are nicely charred.
  9. Toast Buns and Melt Cheese: Remove onions from the grill. Top each burger with crumbled feta cheese. Place the ciabatta buns cut side down on the grill, close the lid, turn off the grill heat, and let them toast and the cheese melt for about 2 minutes.
  10. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, minced red onion, grated garlic, diced cucumber, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, chopped parsley, and dill. Stir until fully combined.
  11. Assemble the Burgers: Arrange the toasted buns cut side up and spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce on each. Place a burger patty on the bottom half, top with grilled onion rings and a handful of baby arugula.
  12. Serve: Close each burger with the top bun, gently press down, and serve immediately for a delicious grilled kofta burger experience.

Notes

  • Chilling the burger mixture before grilling helps maintain the shape and prevents falling apart on the grill.
  • Squeezing out excess moisture from the zucchini is important to keep the burgers from becoming soggy.
  • You can substitute regular yogurt if lactose-free is unavailable.
  • 85/15 ground beef provides a good balance of fat for juicy burgers without being overly greasy.
  • Grilling the onions alongside the burgers adds a sweet and smoky flavor that complements the feta topping beautifully.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/kofta-burgers-with-grilled-onions-feta-and-fresh-tzatziki-recipe/