The Mediterranean Smashburger Recipe You’ll Make All Summer

Barbecue season is right around the corner, and we’re already gathering all the recipes we want to throw on the grill. Hot dogs, kabobs, grilled vegetables — and, of course, burgers. And of all the burgers, the one we’re most excited about is a smashburger recipe.

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You asked: What makes a burger a smashburger?

Burgers are great on their own, but what makes a smashburger special is the way it’s cooked. You smash the meat onto a very hot griddle with a spatula or a press to flatten the burger. This gives you a good sear and crisp edges, while keeping the burger nice and juicy inside. Smashburgers are usually made with ground beef, but you also can use ground lamb, or another ground meat.

Our favorite smashburger recipe

Though we always love a good smashburger, these Greek-inspired lamb smashburgers by Brocc Your Body are truly special. With Mediterranean diet elements incorporated, they’re a delicious alternative to classic burgers, and a great way to incorporate summer herbs and produce.

Why you need to make this smashburger recipe ASAP

Here’s why we’re drooling over this lamb smashburger recipe:

• The burgers are unbelievably delicious. The lamb is rich and juicy, and the tzatziki balances it with creaminess and acidity. Meanwhile, the pita has a crispy exterior with a light and fluffy center that soaks up all the juices from the meat. 

• They’re ridiculously easy to make. Like traditional burgers, these lamb smashburgers come together in a pinch. After making the tzatziki, you just mix and form the patties. Throw them on the grill, and they’re ready within five minutes.

• It’s a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare both the tzatziki and patties the night before. In fact, it’s even encouraged, so the flavors have time to develop.

How to make lamb smashburgers

To make the smashburger, you’ll start by making the tzatziki. Then you’ll make the lamb mixture, combining the ground meat with onion, garlic, and seasonings. In this recipe, the seasonings are Mediterranean inspired; mint, oregano, and paprika. Divide the meat mixture into four portions and shape each into a ball. From there, you can either cook the burgers right away, or chill in the fridge until ready to use.

Heat a flat top grill or cast iron pan over medium high heat and place the four meat balls on the hot surface, making sure to leave ample space in between. Place a pita over each patty and smash the pita down on top of each burger until it’s as flat as possible. Use a burger press if you have one, or a heavy pan or study spatula. Cook the meat until it’s crispy and browned, about four minutes. Flip and cook for another minute, until the pita is golden brown. Remove from the grill and top with the tzatziki and any other desired toppings, such as chopped lettuce, tomato, cucumber, olives, pickled onion, and/or feta. 

Make it your own

Though this recipe is fantastic as written, here are some ways to customize it:

• Swap in ground beef for the lamb
• Change up the seasonings in the ground meat mixture. Add dill, parsley, basil, chopped olives, or feta into the mix 
• Save a step and use store-bought tzatziki

Read next: We Ate a Lot of Veggie Burgers and Found a Clear Winner