Middle Eastern Ground Beef Burgers Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the onion, cinnamon, coriander, pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and season with pepper. Cook until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and parsley and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly. Stir in the chicken and yogurt until the onion are evenly mixed. Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and some pepper. Shape into 4 1/2-inch thick patties.
• Cook in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the sides of the burgers registers between 165 and 170 degrees F. Brush burgers with the pomegranate molasses and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Serve on toasted buns with fixings.

SPICED MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB PATTIES WITH PITA AND YOGURT

Steps:

• For the sauce:
• In a small bow, whisk the yogurt with the lemon juice. Stir in the chopped herbs, season with salt and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the patties and pita:
• In a bowl, use your hands to mix together all of the ingredients, except for the pita. Form the mixture into twelve 3-inch oval patties (about 1 inch thick). Arrange the patties on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until firm
• Preheat a grill for at least 10 minutes and prepare it for grilling over moderately high heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, leave one area where you can grill the pita indirectly.
• Oil the grill grates and grill the patties until dark brown grill marks form on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the patties and grill for 4 to 6 minutes longer, until just cooked through.
• Meanwhile, wrap the pita in foil and set the package on the top shelf of a gas grill or in the cooler spot of a charcoal grill and allow them to warm through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Wrap 2 or 3 patties in each pita, spoon some of the yogurt sauce alongside and serve with herb sprigs, passing the remaining yogurt sauce at the table.

MIDDLE EASTERN BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, egg, onion, garlic, nuts, lemon juice and spices in a large bowl.
• Form patties and fry over medium-high heat until cooked through (about 10-15 minutes).
• Serve in naan and top with hummus, and if you're feeling adventurous, a little chili oil to spice it up!

15+ MIDDLE EASTERN GROUND BEEF RECIPES INCLUDING KAFTA KEBOB

Steps:

• Using a food processor, add the garlic, onions and parsley and process for a few seconds until finely chopped
• Add the mixture to the ground beef in a bowl, and add all the seasoning and olive oil. Mix well using your hands, then add the flour (see notes) and continue to mix until you form a dough (if dough does not feel firm, add slightly more flour)
• Form the Kafta into approximately 3-4 inch long pieces about 1 inch in thickness
• Heat up your BBQ or a grill pan on the stove and add a dash of olive oil (I recommend cast iron)
• Grill each Kafta for 2-3 minutes on each side (test a piece to ensure it is cooked to your liking) for a total of 6-8 minutes (see notes for baking)
• Serve with a yogurt tahini sauce (see Eggplant Fatteh for sauce recipe) over rice, salad, or in a wrap