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So, I am kind of curious. Are you a procrastinator?

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

I know this is totally random, but I was just thinking about it as I was sitting here… procrastinating. Or sitting here letting my mind drift/stress/think about food not related to this post. It’s pretty obvious that I have issues with focusing.

But I have noticed that when words do not want to flow, instead of thinking about what to write, my mind begins to drift. Then I check Instagram, and in today’s case I spend the next fifty seconds of my life watching Instagram videos of my youngest brother KILL it up on Mt.Hood. I have to say, it was a good distraction. Seeing that white glacier against the blue sky is the greatest. I am (unbelievably) kind of wishing I was there instead of at home. You see, it’s sort of been raining here. Like a lot, and as you have probably guessed by now, I really hate the rain.

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

Anyway, normally I am not a procrastinator. In fact I try to get things done right away so that they are not hanging over my head, but when it comes to writing, at times I can struggle and I have grown into the habit of procrastinating.

Not so badly that I put things off for days or anything, but that is only because I don’t have days to be able to put stuff off. More like five minutes or so.

Does that count as procastinating?

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

Ok, enough about my issues, let’s get down to burgers.

I made them with lamb!! I am kind of excited about this because I have to admit, lamb sort of scares me a bit. I know that is ridiculous, but I only grew up with beef and chicken. Not pork, not veal and definitely not lamb. I have since familiarized myself with pork, but veal and lamb are still outsiders.

Veal might stay and outsider forever, but I am liking lamb. These burgers were awesome and I think the lamb works really well with these middle eastern flavors.

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

If you are not a fan of lamb swap beef or chicken, but if you can swing it, I would try the lamb. It’s fun to switch up the everyday burger.

Also, apricots?? These are new to me too, but I wasn’t scared of them at all. They are fruit, and I pretty much love all fruit, so these I was excited about, and I do believe that apricots are made just for chutney. Actually, I don’t think I had the best apricots, but once cooked down they were delicious. They’re the perfect condiment for a Moroccan burger like this.

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

Oh, and then there is the final layer of flavor. Pistachio feta pesto. It’s so good. It’s basically a lot of feta that gets kicked up with olive oil, mint and pistachios.

So, to sum things up, we’ve got – kicked up feta pesto, on top of apricot chutney, on top of Moroccan burgers.

YESSSS.

PS. DO NOT skip any of the elements of this burger. Just don’t.

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot-Pepper Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 1528 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Burgers

  • 1 1/2 pound lean ground lamb or if you prefer ground beef or even chicken
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley chopped (I use cilantro)
  • 1 clove garlic minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
  • 1-2 tablespoons [harissa | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-harissa-spicy-red-pepper-sauce/] or 1/2 teaspoon cumin + pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 homemade [Naan | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-naan-step-step-photos/] or [Pita Bread | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/] toasted for serving

Apricot Chutney

Pistachio Feta Pesto

Instructions

  • To make the burgers add the ground lamb, cilantro or parsley, garlic, lemon zest, [harissa | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-harissa-spicy-red-pepper-sauce/], cinnamon and pinch of salt and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined and then form the meat into 4 equal size patties (or 8 smaller patties). Place on a plate and put in the fridge until ready to cook.
  • To make the chutney. Add a drizzle of olive oil to a medium size skillet. Once hot, add the red onion and cook about 2-3 minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the apricots, red pepper and jalapeño, cook about 3-5 minutes or until the apricots have broken down and softened. Reduce the heat to low and add the apple cider vinegar, honey, cayenne and pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer the mixture until most of the liquid has evaporated, but is still pourable, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Allow to cool and then transfer to a glass jar. Store in the fridge (I like to warm this before I put it over my burgers).
  • To make the pesto add the feta, olive oil, cilantro or mint, pistachios, crushed red pepper and a pinch of pepper to a bowl. Toss well and let sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to mend together.
  • Meanwhile heat your grill or a grill pan to high heat. Grill the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare or longer for your desired doneness.
  • Divide the burgers among the naan or pita. Spread the chutney over the burgers and top with feta pesto. Sandwich together and happy eating!

Notes

*Feta Pesto adapted from Summer Food.
View Recipe Comments

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burgers with Apricot Chutney + Pistachio Feta Pesto | halfbakedharvest.com

PSS. You need to make the homemade Naan. And probably some extra apricot chutney + feta pesto too – more for scooping and eating on the side… Really, you should take note of these tips, you’ll appreciate them later!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    What a treat! I couldn’t get apricots, so I subbed mangos, which worked well. I made the smaller patties and they turned out perfect. The naan was an excellent addition.

    1. Hi Djienne,
      Happy Monday!!⛅️ Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you:)

  2. 5 stars
    Super yummy! Thanks Tieghan! We really enjoyed this.

    I did make a couple of swaps that I’ll share in case it’s helpful to others:
    1. dried apricots (no added sugar) instead of fresh since they’re out of season at the moment. This causes the volume of apricots to be much less, so I halved the vinegar and honey.
    2. goat cheese instead of feta simply because I was out of feta…works great!

  3. 5 stars
    I would give this 10 stars if I could. The perfect blend of sweet, salty, little bit of spice, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth. My dad said it’s really good and that I can make it again—I even heard him talking to one of his friends about it. We’re not picky eaters but I usually don’t get complements to that extent. This will be on repeat!

    1. Hey Elizabeth,
      Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT

  4. 5 stars
    Omg this was so delicious!!! I couldn’t get fresh apricots so I used dried and just soaked them in warm water before and it worked out great! This is going to be a regular in my dinner rotation! Thanks!!!!

  5. Hello
    Apricots are not in season in Australia atm. Any other suggestions? Would dried apricots soaked work?

    My friends have made this and all say is the best relish.

    1. HI there! Dried apricots will be perfect. I don’t think you need to soak them. You could also use fresh mango. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

  6. I’ve been making lamburgers and lamb loaf the last several months. My lamb loaf is a mix of beef and lamb, with middle eastern spice mix from my local grocery store, but I put kalamata olives in it and top it with garlic sauce.

    I’m getting half a lamb in a month or two and need to use what’s in my little apartment freezer to make room. Am excited about all your lamb recipes!

  7. Made it. Followed all the instructions and it was RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS!!!!!! We will make this again. It was a hit.

  8. Tieghan. Just made these amazing burgers. Followed the recipe exactly except used nectarines instead of apricots. Flavor explosion. Thank you so much for sharing this.

  9. Couldn’t thank you enough for your always awesome recipes .. You make me look like a talented chef ! .. I just did this today for my brother and husband .. My husband is usually very picky when it comes to food ! so when I told him about the feta pesto .. he was like nah .. Im gonna have it without it ,,, so I told him try it first and he absolutely loved .. the chutney was the highlight of the whole dish it was amazing .. didn’t have apple cider vinegar so I used lemon and sparkling apple juice .. and it worked very well

    keep them coming xx

  10. I can’t wait to try this dish! Looks amazingly delicious! Found you via Pinterest and will be having a look around as you take some beautiful photos of your food. Thank you for the inspiration and for sharing

  11. Hello! This recipe looks amazing! I love lamb, it’s SOOO good. And I agree with most everyone else about the feta pesto. Although I might try it with Queso Fresco instead.

    I know this may sound horrific to someone with your obvious kitchen skills, but me and sugar don’t get along. I don’t eat a lot of fruit either, as most has too much fructose for me. Do you have any suggestions or substitutions for the Apricot Chutney? Perhaps a simple salsa or sauce I could eat instead? Thanks, and keep on cooking 🙂

    1. Hey Kimmie!!

      Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂 I would make a simple tomato salsa, but maybe add some mint. That would taste great!

      Thanks again and I hope you love these!