Lisa's Greek Burgers

This is really a recipe for a killer Greek-style burger sauce. Mix yogurt with chopped cucumber, red onion, mint, oregano, marjoram, cumin, and a splash of red wine, then spoon it over your grilled patties. It’s a riff on tzatziki with more herbs and a little heat from red pepper flakes.

The combination of oregano, marjoram, and cumin together gives this sauce a distinctly Greek flavor profile. Cumin might seem unexpected in a Mediterranean sauce, but it’s actually common in Greek and Middle Eastern cooking and adds a warm earthiness that rounds out the sharp herbs.

A tablespoon of red wine stirred in at the end adds a subtle tangy depth. It’s not enough to taste “winey” but it lifts the whole sauce and keeps it from tasting like plain seasoned yogurt.

Pro Tips

• Make the sauce at least 30 minutes before serving and refrigerate. The flavors need time to meld together in the cold yogurt base.
• Use thick Greek yogurt if possible. Thin yogurt runs off the burger and pools on the plate.
• Chop the cucumber and red onion small so they distribute evenly in every bite instead of falling out of the bun.

Variations

• Add crumbled feta cheese on top of the sauce for extra Greek flavor and a salty contrast.
• Mix the spices directly into the ground beef before grilling for Greek-seasoned patties with the sauce on top.
• Serve on pita bread instead of rolls with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato for a gyro-style presentation.