Dinner

DIY Lamb Kofta Burgers Recipe

ByCleo Brixton November 30, 2025November 30, 2025

Introduction

These DIY kofta burgers bring the rich, aromatic flavors of spiced lamb to your grill. Perfect for a casual gathering, they’re easy to prepare and served with fresh, crunchy accompaniments for a deliciously satisfying meal.

The image shows a pita bread sandwich placed open, revealing three main layers inside. The bottom layer consists of thinly sliced purple cabbage and red onion rings, giving a mix of light purple and red colors with a crunchy texture. On top of that, there are two thick slices of fresh red tomato, smooth and juicy looking. Above the tomatoes, a thick, browned meat patty sits, with a rough and grilled texture. On the meat patty, there is a white dollop of sauce topped with a small amount of orange-red chili sauce. The sandwich is on a light wooden surface, but the background and surface should be imagined as white marbled texture. In the background, a white bowl contains white sauce, slightly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1kg lamb mince
2 onions, coarsely grated
1 garlic bulb, broken into cloves and finely chopped or grated
6 tbsp garam masala
Bunch coriander, chopped (optional)
1 tbsp chilli sauce, plus extra to serve
8 pitta breads
4 tomatoes, halved and sliced
Half a red cabbage, shredded
1 red onion, sliced (optional)
Small pot plain yogurt

Instructions

Step 1: Tip the lamb mince into a large bowl along with the grated onions, chopped garlic, garam masala, chopped coriander (if using), chilli sauce, and a good pinch of salt.
Step 2: Use your hands to squelch everything together thoroughly until fully combined.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into 16 small burgers and place them on a tray. You can freeze them for up to 1 month or chill for up to a day before cooking.
Step 4: Preheat your grill to its highest setting. Arrange the burgers in a single layer on a baking tray (cook in batches if needed).
Step 5: Grill the burgers on the highest shelf for 5-6 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
Step 6: Serve the kofta burgers with pitta breads, sliced tomatoes, shredded red cabbage, sliced red onion (if using), and plain yogurt. Add extra chilli sauce if desired, and let everyone build their own sandwiches.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cumin or smoked paprika to the meat mix.
If you prefer a milder burger, reduce the garam masala or chilli sauce.
Swap lamb for beef or turkey mince for a different twist.
Serve with fresh mint chutney or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
To keep burgers moist, avoid overcooking and rest briefly before serving.

Storage

Store uncooked kofta burgers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to one month. Cooked burgers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheated gently under the grill or in a pan until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to keep texture intact.