For this lamb burgers recipe, you'll want to splurge on good sturdy bakery buns that can absorb the extra liquid from the slaw and burger without disintegrating. This recipe is from Hart's in Brooklyn, our #5 Best New Restaurant in America 2017.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 4
Ingredients
Aioli
¼
1
2
1
3
1
2
Assembly
1½
4
3
½
¼
3
2
4
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Aioli
Step 1
Place capers in a small bowl and pour in warm water to cover. Let soak 20 minutes. Drain, rinse, and pat dry. Coarsely chop.
Step 2
Whisk capers, mayonnaise, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, mustard, and garlic in a medium bowl; taste and season with salt and more lemon juice, if desired.
Step 3
Do Ahead: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Assembly
Step 4
Shape lamb into 4 patties about 1" thick, season with salt, and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
Step 5
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, ideally cast iron, over medium. Cook lamb patties, working in batches if needed, until browned (they won’t take on as much color as a beef burger), 5–7 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on second side, about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer patties to a plate and let rest 10 minutes.
Step 6
Meanwhile, toss celery, fennel, fennel fronds (if using), onion, lemon juice, dried mint, and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Season slaw with salt and pepper.
Step 7
Generously spread aioli on cut sides of buns and build each burger with a lamb patty, 3 or 4 boquerones, and a mound of slaw. This is a messy burger, so the bib is not optional.