Name: Mint Lamb Burgers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Burger
Ingredients: 120g / 4.3oz lean lamb mince; 1/2 small red onion, finely diced; 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced; 1/2 tsp oregano; 4 large mint leaves, finely chopped; 1 tsp olive oil; 1 burger bun of your choice; 2 tbsp greek yogurt; 1in / 2.5cm piece cucumber, seeds removed and finely diced; 4 large mint leaves, finely chopped; 1 tsp lemon juice; red onion slices; 2 lettuce leaves, such as iceberg; sliced tomato

Question 1

Can I eat them rare or 'pink'?

Accepted Answer

While a little bit of pink in your burger is not going to do any harm (and is how I typically prepare mine) the FSA (Food Standards Agency) in the US advises against eating lamb mince which is still pink, even if on the inside of a burger. It's usually fine to eat lamb cutlets or steak that are pink inside, this is because the outside of the meat which has been exposed is seared to kill off all bacteria. 

Lamb mince on the other hand may have bacteria, which needs to then be cooked to a high enough temperature to ensure that it is killed, which cannot be achieved with a rare or even medium cook. 

The easiest way to tell if your burger is cooked is to insert a thermometer into the middle of the burger (be careful not to push past the centre). When it reads 70C / 160F it's ready. Make sure to stop cooking the burgers when it reaches that temperature so the burger doesn't dry out.

Question 2

Can I freeze them?

Accepted Answer

These lamb burgers are perfect for freezing! Simply prepare them and instead of cooking, portion and stack between sheets of baking/parchment paper. Place in a sealed container in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. 

You can also keep the mixture in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking.

Question 3

Are they healthy?

Accepted Answer

While burgers are generally not particularly healthy, this mint lamb burger is a little lighter than some. Firstly, it uses lamb which is a protein powerhouse, whilst also containing healthy fats. I also suggest using lean lamb mince to reduce the amount of fat in the recipe. It also doesn't contain any cheese and uses a creamy yogurt topping instead. 

One burger contains 595 calories and 29g of fat. You can further reduce the calories, fat and carbs in this meal by substituting the burger bun with lettuce leaves.

Question 4

What can I serve them with?

Accepted Answer

As with any burger, a side of chips or fries is always a good idea! Or you can go for a lighter option and serve with a salad. A few ideas to try are:
•	Healthy kale coleslaw
•	Sweet potato dirty fries
•	Beetroot and goat's cheese salad
•	Tomato and herb salsa
•	Simple 3-bean salad

Question 5

Tips for making lamb burgers:

Accepted Answer

•	Don't over-knead the meat or it may become tougher and denser. 
•	Always undercook and over-rest. Give it a good 5-10 minutes resting time (covered with foil to keep warm). 
•	Make an indentation in the middle of the burger to stop it from ballooning up in the middle. 
•	Only flip the burger when fully sealed. You'll be able to tell when as it will release easily from the surface of the grill. If it sticks give it another minute or so.

Mint Lamb Burgers

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition