Here's an alternative to beef burgers that went over big time for my last BBQ bash. I served this with a tomato, onion dill salad, and grilled corn-on-the-cob. This was paired with ice-cold beer and lime slices.

Grilled American Lamb Burgers
Recipe and photo courtesy of the American Lamb Board
8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground American Lamb
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 8 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 4 thin slices red onion, split into rings
• 16 tomato slices

Directions

1. In large bowl, combine ground lamb, tomato sauce, oats, onion, basil, garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper.  Mix until all ingredients are blended.  Shape into eight 1/2-inch thick patties.
2. To Grill:  Cook over medium-hot coals.  Grill 4 inches from coals 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness:  145ºF for medium-rare, 160ºF for medium or 170ºF for well.  
3. To Broil:  Place lamb patties on broiler pan.  Broil lamb 4 inches from source of heat for 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness:  145ºF for medium-rare, 160ºF for medium or 170ºF for well. 

Plating the Dish

1. Arrange lettuce leaf on bottom half of each bun. 
   
2. Top with onion rings, 2 tomato slices, cooked lamb patties and bun top.