Name: Feta and Scallion Burgers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 16 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1½ to 1¾ lb. ground beef; 2 tbs. fresh Italian parsley, chopped; ½ tsp. ground black pepper; ½ tsp. salt; ½ tsp. Korean red pepper flakes; 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese; 3-4 scallions, chopped; 1 large clove of garlic, grated; 1 tbs. soy sauce; 1½ tsp. sesame oil; 1 tbs. olive oil; 1 pat of butter

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If you are looking to shake up your burger game with some bold flavors and a little Mediterranean flair, look no further than today’s Feta and Scallion Burgers. These Mediterranean-inspired creations take the beloved beef burger to a whole new level, with a combination of feta cheese, scallions, and garlic, all seasoned to perfection with a dash of Korean red pepper flakes.

The end result? A juicy burger that bursts flavor, and that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates.

But it's not just the delicious taste that makes this recipe a standout, it’s versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you're firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue, are looking for something fun and different for your next dinner party, or are simply craving a cozy weeknight dinner, these Feta and Scallion Burgers have got you covered.

Plus, these burgers are surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner cooks. With just a few basic ingredients, combined with our easy-to-follow instructions, you will be whipping these burgers up in no time.

So, without further introduction, let’s grab our aprons, fire up the grill, and make some burgers.

Recipe Overview – What to Expect

Okay, but what can you ‘really’ expect from these burgers? What do they taste like? Are they juicy and tender? What do they pair well with? And, of course, are they hard to make?

Below, we’re answering all of those questions.

What To Expect: This recipe produces a batch of Feta and Scallion Burgers, which are a savory twist on the classic beef burger. It combines ground beef with a variety of ingredients including feta cheese, scallions, garlic, Korean red pepper, and soy sauce, among other seasonings, to create a burger that is bursting with flavor.
Taste: In terms of taste, these burgers offer a rich and robust flavor profile thanks to the combination of feta cheese and scallions. The feta adds a tangy and salty element, while the scallions contribute a fresh and slightly sweet flavor. The garlic and seasonings complete the picture, creating a well-balanced and satisfying burger.
Texture: In addition to its delicious flavor, this burger also boasts a juicy and tender texture, that’s sure to please any burger lover. The combination of ingredients ensures that each bite is packed with moisture and flavor, resulting in a burger that is both delicious and satisfying.
Pairings: All the usual suspects. These burgers would pair well with classic burger toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and onion, as well as your favorite condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayo. Additionally, they pair nicely with side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad.
Difficulty Level: While this burger may seem complex due to the variety of ingredients, this recipe is quite simple to make, even for beginner home chefs. With just a few basic ingredients and some basic burger-prep techniques, I promise you can whip these up in no time. If you can chop some scallions, crumble some feta, and heat up a frying pan, you can make these burgers.

Ingredient Checklist – Everything You’ll Need

Nothing complex, expensive, or hard to find, I promise. Here’s everything you’ll need.

1½ to 1¾ lb. ground beef
- Notes & Tips: As always fat is flavor, so opt for well-marbled ground beef.
- You can also use ground turkey or chicken as a substitute for beef.
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- Notes & Tips: Be sure to remove the stems.
- As always, opt for Italian flat-leaf parsley, as curly parsley is almost only ever used to garnish dishes.
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Notes & Tips: Freshly ground black pepper for best results, but preground will work just fine in this recipe.
½ teaspoon salt
- Notes & Tips: Use kosher salt or sea salt for the best flavor.
½ teaspoon Korean red pepper flakes
- Notes & Tips: Korean red pepper flakes add a hint of heat and smokiness, but you can use regular red pepper flakes as a substitute.
- If you prefer to keep the spice to a minimum, you can substitute in chili powder or your favorite chili flakes.
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Notes & Tips: I suggest using blocked feta and then crumbling it yourself, as pre-crumbled feta tends to be dry and astringent tasting.
- You can also substitute with other types of cheese like goat cheese or blue cheese.
3-4 scallions, chopped
- Notes & Tips: Scallions add a mild onion flavor. If you don't have scallions, you can use finely chopped onion as a substitute.
1 large clove of garlic, grated
- Notes & Tips: As always, fresh is best. I consider fresh garlic to be a key ingredient in this recipe.
1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Notes & Tips: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor to the burgers that helps to bind the other flavors together.
- Yes, you can use low-sodium soy sauce.
1½ teaspoons sesame oil
- Notes & Tips: Sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and flavor. Use toasted sesame oil for a stronger flavor.
1 tablespoon olive oil
- Notes & Tips: Olive oil is used for cooking the burgers in the pan.
1 pat of butter
- Notes & Tips: Butter helps prevent sticking when cooking the burgers.

Variations – Getting Creative

Different Cheese: While feta cheese adds a nice briny flavor, you can of course experiment with other types of cheese like blue cheese, goat cheese, gouda, or cheddar.
Herb Variations: Instead of Italian parsley, you can use other fresh herbs such as cilantro, dill, oregano, or basil – or mix and match herbs.
Meat Options: If you prefer a lighter option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner burger. You can also try a mix of ground meats for added depth of flavor.
Spice Level: Adjust the spice level by adding more or less Korean red pepper flakes or adding your favorite hot sauce or chili paste to the burger mixture.
Additional Ingredients: Customize your burgers by adding ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, or cooked bacon. There’s no wrong way to do this.
Bun Choices: Serve your burgers on traditional burger buns, or switch it up with lettuce wraps, whole-grain buns, or ciabatta rolls for a different experience. Or even opt for crusty Italian bread.
Topping Ideas: Get creative with toppings like avocado slices, arugula, roasted garlic aioli, or tzatziki sauce to enhance the flavors of your burgers.

Grilling Instructions – Tips and Instructions

While I’m preparing today’s recipe stovetop, here’s how to go about prepping this on the grill. The process remains largely the same, but with a few key exceptions.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped parsley, black pepper, salt, Korean red pepper flakes, crumbled feta cheese, chopped scallions, grated garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape them into burger patties of your desired size. Make sure to handle the meat gently to keep it tender.
Once the grill is hot, lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the burger patties on the grill and cook for about 3 - 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust the cooking time according to your desired level of doneness.
Avoid pressing down on the burgers with a spatula while cooking, as this can cause the juices to escape and result in dry burgers.
When the burgers are almost done, you can add a pat of butter to each patty for extra flavor and juiciness.
Once the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
Serve your delicious Feta and Scallion Burgers on toasted buns with your favorite condiments and toppings. Enjoy!