Grilled Lamb Patty Melt, Pepper, Walnut & Pomegranate Sauce

Another amazing recipe from Bobby Flay! This chef is truly incredible.

A Fusion Burger with Eastern Accents

This reimagined Patty Melt combines the richness of ground lamb, Levantine spices, and the indulgence of melted cheese on flatbread. It's topped with a muhammara-inspired sauce made from roasted peppers, nuts, and pomegranate molasses. Blending Mediterranean street food with chef-style flair, this BBQ sandwich will transport you from the very first bite.

The Story Behind This Recipe

The Patty Melt is an American icon—essentially a grilled cheese burger, often served on toasted bread with cheese and caramelized onions. This reinterpretation blends the Mediterranean influence of spiced lamb with a rich, Middle Eastern-style sauce inspired by Syrian muhammara. Grilled on pizza dough over the BBQ, it creates a rustic, bold, and delicious fusion.

⏱️ Prep & Cooking Time

• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Rest time: 5 minutes
• ⏳ Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the burgers

• 600 g ground lamb
• 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 tbsp full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
• A pinch of five-spice powder
• 1 tsp salt and pepper

For assembly

• 4 pizza dough flatbreads
• 1 large onion, cut into 4 thick slices
• 400 g cheese (Kasseri, Manchego, or Pecorino)

For the pepper-walnut sauce

• 3 roasted peppers in oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 Jalapeño (veined and deseeded)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

Instructions

1. Make the sauce: Blend all sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Set aside.
2. Prepare the BBQ: Light for direct grilling, with charcoal on one half of the grill.
3. Prepare the bread: Cut the pizza dough flatbreads, add cheese to one side, and place them on the cool zone of the grill.
4. Make the patties: Mix all burger ingredients, then form 4 patties.
5. Grill the onions: Lightly oil the slices and grill them directly over the coals until caramelized.
6. Grill the patties: 2–3 minutes per side, until cooked medium.
7. Assemble: Remove bread once cheese is melted, then add patties, grilled onions, and sauce. Serve hot.

🍽️ Serving & Sides

Serve the Patty Melt piping hot, cut in half to reveal the juicy lamb and melty cheese. Offer extra sauce on the side and pair with grilled vegetables (eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini) or a fresh pomegranate salad.

♻️ Dietary Variations

• Light: Use 0% fat yogurt, cut the olive oil in the sauce by half, and serve on whole-grain or thin toasted bread.
• Vegetarian: Replace lamb with a plant-based patty made from spiced chickpeas and lentils.
• Gluten-free: Serve the filling in crisp lettuce wraps or on gluten-free bread.

🧬 Health Sheet – Cancer + Diabetes