Burgers With Creamy Feta Sauce and Tomato-Cucumber Relish Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Big burgers with a creamy yogurt-feta sauce flavored with garlic and lemon, topped with a crunchy cucumber-tomato relish.

Recipe Details

Burgers With Creamy Feta Sauce and Tomato-Cucumber Relish Recipe

Active 20 mins
Total 30 mins
Serves 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 small cucumber, seeded and cut into fine dice (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 1 large ripe tomato, seeded and cut into fine dice (about 1 cup)

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup Greek-style yogurt

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 cup finely crumbled feta cheese

  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)

  • 20 ounces freshly ground beef, divided into four 5-ounce patties

  • Sliced white or sweet onion (such as Vidalia)

  • 4 toasted hamburger buns

Directions

  1. Combine cucumber and tomato in a colander or fine mesh strainer set in the sink or a bowl. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss to combine. Let drain at least 15 minutes. Discard liquid and transfer to a small bowl. Toss with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and season with pepper. Set aside.

  2. While tomatoes drain, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, feta, garlic, remaining 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Season to taste with salt.

  3. When ready to serve, season burger patties generously with salt and pepper and cook burgers to desired doneness on a hot grill or in a skillet on the stovetop, 125°F for medium rare or 135°F for medium.

  4. Place onion slices on bottom bun. Top with burger patty. Top with sauce and cucumber/tomato relish. Close burgers and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
600Calories
35gFat
30gCarbs
40gProtein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories600
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g45%
Saturated Fat 12g59%
Cholesterol 118mg39%
Sodium 995mg43%
Total Carbohydrate 30g11%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 40g
Vitamin C 9mg46%
Calcium 253mg19%
Iron 5mg28%
Potassium 712mg15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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