Spiced Beef Burger
Photo: Annabelle Breakey Styling: Jeffrey Larsen
Middle Eastern kofta kebabs (spiced ground lamb or beef shaped around skewers) are delicious, but a bit of a project. Here, a similar spice blend flavors a weeknight-friendly burger.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (400°), or heat a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.
Step 2
2
Mince garlic with salt, then smash with the flat side of the knife into a paste. Scrape into a large bowl and stir in ginger, onion, cayenne, coriander, cumin, allspice, pepper, and parsley until thoroughly combined.
Step 3
3
Add ground beef. With your hands, gently mix.
Step 4
4
Shape mixture into 6 oblong patties that will each fit in a pita half, making patties about 3/4 in. thick. Oil cooking grate, using tongs and a wad of oiled paper towels. Grill patties until well browned and just pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Step 5
5
Cut pita breads in half crosswise. Gently loosen the halves to form pockets. Brush each with oil and add to grill. Toast pita until pale golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread inside of each pocket with 1 to 2 tbsp. tzatziki. Tuck burger inside, followed by cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and mint leaves.
Ingredients
2 garlic cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup grated onion (use a Microplane)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (at least 20 percent fat for a juicier burger)
Olive oil for brushing pita
3 pita breads
About 3/4 cup store-bought tzatziki
Cucumber and tomato slices, butter lettuce, and fresh mint leaves
Directions
Step 1
1
Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (400°), or heat a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.
Step 2
2
Mince garlic with salt, then smash with the flat side of the knife into a paste. Scrape into a large bowl and stir in ginger, onion, cayenne, coriander, cumin, allspice, pepper, and parsley until thoroughly combined.
Step 3
3
Add ground beef. With your hands, gently mix.
Step 4
4
Shape mixture into 6 oblong patties that will each fit in a pita half, making patties about 3/4 in. thick. Oil cooking grate, using tongs and a wad of oiled paper towels. Grill patties until well browned and just pink inside, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Step 5
5
Cut pita breads in half crosswise. Gently loosen the halves to form pockets. Brush each with oil and add to grill. Toast pita until pale golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread inside of each pocket with 1 to 2 tbsp. tzatziki. Tuck burger inside, followed by cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and mint leaves.
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