Moroccan Style Hamburger Recipe

Written by
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih is a freelance writer and cooking class instructor with a background in Moroccan cuisine.
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Christine Benlafquih
Updated 09/29/20
burger with tomato
Moroccan Style Hamburger Matilda Lindeblad/Stock Food Creative/Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Resting time: 60 mins
Total: 85 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
386 Calories
24g Fat
8g Carbs
32g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 386
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g 31%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 117mg 39%
Sodium 539mg 23%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 32g
Calcium 72mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ground beef is rarely cooked without seasoning in Morocco, even when shaping kefta into large patties to serve as hamburgers. The addition of Moroccan spices and herbs to the meat helps transform a routine hamburger into a memorable meal. Grilling the meat will add even more flavor.

The recipe below reflects my preference for reducing standard kefta seasoning by about half when serving hamburgers with American toppings on soft rolls. If you'd like to try more intense Moroccan seasoning, follow the Kefta Kebabs Recipe and shape the meat into patties.

Serve the Moroccan hamburgers on Homemade Hamburger Rolls or Moroccan khobz with lettuce, tomato, and other toppings. Some suggestions are:

For best flavor, allow time for the seasoned hamburger mix to rest before cooking. It can be prepared a day in advance.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb./1 kg ground beef (can use half lamb, if desired)
  • 1 small onion (grated)
  • Optional: 2 cloves garlic (grated)
  • 4 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon black (or cayenne pepper)

Steps to Make It

  1. Mix all the ingredients together, kneading the mixture for a minute or two to evenly distribute the spices and herbs.

  2. Cover and leave the seasoned ground beef to rest for an hour or longer before cooking.

  3. Shape the meat into patties and grill over hot coals, turning once. (If you prefer, you can cook the hamburgers under a broiler, on a grill pan, or in a regular frying pan.) ​

  4. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling or when a recipe calls to add liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Even if it states oven-safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

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