I’ve always been a burger girl at heart.

The happy meal was my go-to growing up, followed by late-night cheeseburgers at Dick’s Drive-Inn during college and homemade veggie burgers in my latter twenties/vegan days. This past fall I started incorporating meat back into my diet and instantly fell for grass-fed lamb burgers.

I KNOW — it can be hard to swallow for some, but instead of following any specific diet or what others think I choose to listen to what feels right for my body — as well as considering ethical and environmental factors. Lamb is one meat my body seems to totally vibe with — and I can find quality, ethically treated sources quite easily.

Not only do I think grass-fed lamb has incredible flavor, but it also has a ton of different health benefits. These are a few reasons I dig it (and your bod might too):

Lamb can be super beneficial for the ladies —

Lamb is an excellent source of readily bio-available iron, meaning it contains iron your body can easilby absorb and utilize. As someone who was vegan for four years — and dealt with anemic symptoms as a result — I truly think my body craved this important nutrient!

Also ladies take note — if you are menstruating, trying to get pregnant or post-partum, lamb could be an excellent option for you to build up iron stores that could be at risk due to blood loss.

Lamb is a serious brain-health booster —

Both your body and brain need quality fat in order to thrive (especially your brain, which is made up of 60% fat, and needs fat to use for energy, development and to protect against diseases).

Not only does lamb contain omega-3 fatty acids (which help improve brain functions like memory) but also a significant amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to help aid fat loss, improve lean muscle mass and be a potential cancer fighter.

Plus quality fat is satiating, meaning it will help you stay full for hours and give you stable, long lasting energy which helps ward off cravings, especially for carbs or sweets (which our bodies crave when they’re low in energy).

Feeling fatigued/moody/lethargic? Lamb’s got your back —

Lamb is rich in essential b-vitamins — which most people tend to be deficient in. B vitamins help our nervous systems function properly, which is crucial as this network is responsible for helping our entire body properly communicate and function.

If you suspect you are suffering from mood swings, poor memory (or memory loss), low energy, adrenal or chronic fatigue, lethargic digestion or a hormonal imbalance, foods rich in b-vitamins (specifically B12) like lamb would be an ideal option to incorporate into your diet.

That all being said, lamb is considered red-meat and can be more difficult for some to digest. Try this recipe out and pay attention to how you feel. I find consuming a red-meat like lamb works well for me about once a week.

How to choose your lamb meat —

You want to look for grass-fed if possible, which is the only food lambs were designed to eat to keep them healthy. Grain-fed animals are traditionally raised in feedlots with an unnatural diet based on corn or soy and are often given growth hormones and antibiotics to survive unsanitary living conditions.

Purchasing grass-fed not only means you’re supporting more ethical practices and treatment of the lamb but that you’re eating healthier, better quality meat (much higher in those omega-3’s) with loads of flavor. I adore Atkin’s ranch ground lamb, which you can find at Whole Foods.

Ok, now for the good stuff. This grilled lamb burger with harissa aioli tho….

This meal is so ridiculously easy to make, tasty and nutrient-dense! There’s no prep, blending or oven required. Simply season the meat, toss on the grill, mix together the aioli and wrap in a crispy lettuce wedge, top with avocado, tomato and whatever else you desire. Serve with a side salad or more grilled veggies for extra fiber.

Equally perfect for a lazy week night meal or when you’re hosting a BBQ/entertaining guests. Also faster (and healthier) than heading to your local Thai joint for takeout.

Happy BBQ’ing!

xx //

Lauren

Easy Grilled Lamb Burgers + Harissa Aioli

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These easy grilled lamb burgers with harissa aioli will boost your brain and bod health and get dinner on your table in 10 minutes.

PREP TIME:	TOTAL TIME:
00:00 Mins	00:10 Mins

• Author: Lauren Chambers

• Servings: 4

• Recipe Type: entree

• Cuisine: American, Greek

Ingredients

For the Harissa Aioli

• 1/2 cup avocado oil mayo
• 1 tbsp harissa spice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

For the Lamb Burgers

• 1/2 – 1 pound freshly ground grass-fed lamb (I use 1 packet of Atkin’s Ranch)
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• fresh black pepper to taste
• large butter lettuce leaves (to use for a bun, 2 per burger)
• 1/2 – 1 avocado, thinly sliced
• 1 tomato, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. While grill is warming up mix lamb meat with egg white and seasoning and form into four patties. Place on a grill pan and grill until cooked through medium, about 5 minutes per side (or pink through the center).
2. While burgers are cooking whisk together harissa aioli until well combined. Place burgers in the butter lettuce wraps and top with aioli, sliced tomato and avocado.

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