Greek Burger with Feta and Tzatziki
This Greek Burger Recipe is going to quickly become a new family favorite! The combination of lean ground beef, Greek seasonings, and delicious creamy feta cheese topped with homemade tzatziki sauce is mouthwateringly delicious!
Want a Greek finger food instead? Check out these Loaded Greek Fries!
Homemade Greek Burger Recipe
I’m usually a burger traditionalist. You can give me some bacon, cheddar, and barbecue sauce, and I’m a happy girl. Then there was last summer’s favorite, stuffed with stilton and topped with onion jam. We grill homemade burgers of all kinds all summer and fall. I just love how satisfying they are and how creative you can get with them! You might even say I’m burger obsessed. I even seriously considered starting a whole blog or Instagram dedicated to them!
This Greek Burger, laden with feta and spices and slathered with cool, tangy tzatziki sauce? I’m pretty sure this will be making frequent appearances on our table from now on. Especially since it pairs so naturally with a greek salad instead of heavy pasta salads or fries. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect meal to get my summer started
What fresh herbs and vegetables do I need for this homemade burger?
The idea for this burger had been in the back of my mind for a few days, but when I found some fresh garlic and some not so pretty cucumbers at the farmer’s market, I knew it was time to create. If you have access to a farmer’s market, I recommend checking the option there before you shop at a traditional market. Farm fresh almost always has the best flavor.
- Oregano (dried works but fresh is best)
- Fresh dill
- Bulb of garlic
- Cucumbers
- Red Onion
What protein is best for this Greek burger?
I chose lean beef but you could use ground lamb, ground turkey, or ground chicken if you prefer. A blend of beef and lamb would also be a great choice.
The seasonings and cheese mixed into the meat are really where the flavor stands out, so choose your preferred protein. Don’t let that stop you from trying out a new flavor in a fun homemade burger.
How to shape a Feta cheese burger
If you’ve ever struggled with your burgers shrinking as they cook, then I have a great tip! As you form your burger, press your thumb into the center to create a shallow crater about ⅓ the diameter of the patty.
As your burger heats and the center puffs up, it will rise to fill in the crater rather than pulling the edges into the center. As a result, your burger will have a smooth top and a diameter that is almost identical to the raw patty that you formed.
Tips for making the best burgers
Hamburgers are one of the easiest things you can make. With just a few steps and minutes on the stove or grill, you have a satisfying meal or snack that is loaded with protein and tons of flavor. Some of my favorite ways to make the best burgers are simple but make the burger incredible.
- Serve on a non-traditional bun. For instance, this would be great on my homemade pita bread. You can also cut calories or carbs by skipping the bun and wrapping the burger in lettuce instead.
- If using lean meat, add cheese right into the patty for extra moisture
- Mix two or more meats together for a different flavor profile
- Mix the seasonings into the ground meat rather than just sprinkling on top of the patty
- Don’t squish the patty with your spatula as it cooks! That lets the juices out!
- Use a meat thermometer to determine safe cooking temperatures, especially with poultry like chicken or turkey. Sometimes a little pink is still safe to eat.
More yummy Greek recipes
If you’ve checked out the site already, then you know Greek and Mediterranean flavors are some of my favorites. There is nothing as good as that bright flavor it brings to make a healthy meal even more delicious.
Since I have tried out so many different options for you already, you know the ones I share are sure to be delicious. Below are a few of my favorite recipes with a Greek vibe to them. Make sure to bookmark some of the recipes to check out next time!
- Chicken Spinach Feta Meatballs
- Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
- Greek Pasta with Feta and Shrimp
- Marinated Artichoke and Olive Appetizer
- Herby Greek Yogurt Dip
More burger recipes you’ll love:
- Taco Veggie Burgers
- Jerk Turkey Burgers with Pineapple Salsa
- Meatball-Style Veggie Burgers
Looking for fun new topping ideas? Try:
Greek Burger with Feta and Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 2 ounces feta crumbled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons diced red onion
- 2 cloves garlic grated and divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 ounce fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill
- Salt to taste
- 4 hamburger buns
- Sliced red onion and lettuce for serving
Instructions
- To make the burgers: combine the beef, feta, oregano, red onion, half of the grated garlic, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to gently combine the ingredients.
- Form the beef mixture into four patties that are the same diameter as your rolls — the patties should be slightly thicker at the edges with a slight indentation in the middle. Let the burgers rest while you prepare the tzatziki.
- To prepare the tzatziki: Peel your cucumber and grate it using the coarse side of a box grater (alternately, you can shred it using a vegetable peeler). In a small dish, combine the yogurt, cucumber, remaining garlic, and dill. Season to taste with salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Grill the burgers over a medium flame for approximately 5 minutes on each side (you can also cook them on the stovetop in a pan set over medium heat) or until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Serve with rolls, lettuce, sliced red onion, and tzatziki.
I just literally made this recipe and it tastes FANTASTIC. My mother is even quiet eating it :). A great way to make burgers and also healthier! I used whole wheat buns as well. I will make this again. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Hey, new reader here who found you through eatswellwithothers!
I’ve bookmarked several of your recipes and this one was the first I tried. The burgers and tzatziki were a huge hit with my family; my mom is now demanding I make these again for father’s day with the grandparents.
I added a couple splashes of Worcestershire to the burger mixture and about 1.5 tbsp white vinegar to the tzatziki (lifting the idea from another recipe).
Served with oven baked zucchini fries.
I can’t wait to try the romesco roast salmon!
Hi! I’m so glad you like the burger – it’s one of our favorites too. In fact, we were just talking about it over the weekend. 🙂
This looks great – like Andrea, I usually go for lamb with a ‘Greek’ burger but the flavours in this are pretty tempting!
Great looking burger Lauren! I’ve had a lamb Greek burger before, but yours looks so good! I didn’t know ground turkey and lean beef had about the same nutritional value so I feel a bit better using lean beef.
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Hope to see you there! Keep on blogging. 🙂
I am usually like you – a burger traditionalist – but I do go Greek sometimes myself! Looks really good, Lauren!
This really makes me want to have a burger for breakfast!
L, gadzukes. that is the most beautiful burger patty i have ever seen!
I just bought some ground beef yesterday because i was FEENING for a burger. lol
What a beautiful burger! Thanks for the tips. I love the sauce, can’t wait to give this recipe a try— delicious!
Whoa! Those are some perfectly shaped burgers! I love the idea of using lamb. I think I would do that.