Lamb Burgers with Feta-Yogurt Spread
These showstopping lamb burgers have salty and briny capers studded throughout them, and get some earthy notes from cumin. The accompanying feta-yogurt spread is the perfect match: It's creamy and salty, but also has freshness from mint and a hint of warmth from ground nutmeg. Spreading it on both the top and bottom brioche buns envelopes the burgers from both sides and helps hold the burger, red onion, arugula, and cucumber together. If you'd like, serve the burgers with sweet potato fries to round out the meal.
Lamb Sausage Kefta
Grassy, sweet lamb gets a flavor boost from a warm Moroccan spice mix in this recipe for Lamb Sausage Kefta. Chilling the sausage before cooking helps it hold its shape. As well, the meat stays tender and juicy, and gets nice and browned in the skillet. If you'd like, you can substitute pork in for lamb; the lamb sausage mixture can also be used to make meatballs or burger patties. Serve the kefta with a tzatziki-style dip.
Lamb Sliders with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce
A symphony of herbs—in the form of za'atar—and little bits of toasted pine nuts add bright flavor and texture to the ground lamb patties that accompany this fresh summer salad.
Roasted Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb
Roasting eggplant until it's creamy and custardy makes it the perfect base for layering with a rich, meaty sauce in this take on moussaka, which is topped with a rich layer of ricotta and mozzarella cheese in place of béchamel sauce. Don't worry if the eggplant slices look dry when flipped; they will continue to release moisture during the remainder of the roasting time. Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou, Beverage Director at WM Restaurants in Sacramento, California, picked a perfect wine pairing for this cozy dish: "Go for a Cabernet Sauvignon and Agiorgitiko blend for this dish; the plum and cherry notes and warm spices in the wine balance the richness of the eggplant and lamb."
Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Green Goddess Dip
Inspired by merguez, a North African lamb sausage, these meatballs are loaded with cumin, garlic, and paprika for the ideal one-bite nosh. Harissa gives them a fiery heat that's tempered by the herby dip. Not a fan of lamb? Try preparing these make-ahead meatballs with ground beef or a plant-based meat alternative, such as Impossible.
Lamb Kofta
Traditional kofta hug the metal skewers in oblong ovals for stability and greater contact with the grill. Metal skewers work best here—they conduct heat, which helps them cook evenly. Mint, paprika, and tart pomegranate molasses match the stronger flavor of ground lamb.Slideshow: More Ground Lamb Recipes
