Even the most ardent burger purists, in my experience, will acquiesce once in a while to a lamb burger. Though beef accented with nothing but a little salt and pepper will always be king, there is something about the gamy richness of a lamb burger that is impossible to dislike. While turkey burgers and other healthy alternatives tend to pale in comparison, lamb actually holds its own.

I found this recipe in the one-time MasterChef "bookazine," which keeps things simple by avoiding too much flavoring of the patty (just a tiny bit of minced garlic, plus salt and pepper). The majority of the punch comes from a caramelized red onion relish, where classic lamb accompaniments like fresh rosemary and whole-grain mustard make for a sweet-and-tangy condiment. My only addition to the recipe was mixing up a yogurt-lemon-mustard dressing for the leafy greens, which brings that crucial creaminess that lamb, for me, requires. It was a fantastic and quick dinner—perfect for the grill.