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A plate with two biftekia, greek burgers and roasted potatoes on a cloth napkin, next to a loaf of bread on a wooden table.
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Bifteki-The Greek Burger

Bifteki is a version of a Greek burger. This is a traditional, authentic recipe of juicy and flavorful biftekia (plural) baked with crispy and savory potatoes in a lemon olive oil sauce.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 8
Calories 627kcal
Author by Jenny | The Greek Foodie

Ingredients

For the biftekia-burgers

  • 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef
  • 2 onions grated
  • 1⅔ cup ripe tomatoes grated
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs total.
  • 1 egg optional
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

For the potatoes

  • 5-6 potatoes
  • 1½ teaspoons ground mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 lemons juiced
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup water
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Start with the potatoes

  • Preheat the oven at 200°C/390°F
  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into wedges or thick slices.
  • Put them in a baking pan. Add the olive oil, oregano, mustard, and lemon juice, and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
    Mix well to distribute all seasonings and olive oil evenly.
  • Pour one cup of water at the bottom of the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 200°C for 1 hour until they are soft.

Prepare the biftekia

  • Put the ground beef in a bowl.
    Add the olive oil, oregano, fresh oregano, parsley, vinegar, one teaspoon of sea salt, and plenty of freshly ground pepper.
    You can add an egg if you like.
  • Grate the onions and tomatoes, directly into the meat. Let all their liquids pour into the mixture.
  • Start mixing, and based on how loose the mixture is, start adding the breadcrumbs.
    Knead well, but don't overdo it.
  • Cover the mixture and place into the refrigerator for half an hour.
  • Start making the burgers ten minutes before the potatoes reach the one hour of baking (or are close to being soft).
    Form 10-12 biftekia-burgers.
  • Remove the potatoes from the oven and lay on top of them the biftekia.
    Bake for another 30 minutes.
  • Check the burgers to make sure they are done to your liking.
    Remove burgers and set them aside to rest covered with aluminum foil.
    Increase the heat to 220°C/ 425°F and continue to roast the potatoes for 10 minutes or until they are golden brown with crispy edges and tender inside.
  • Serve immediately with plenty of feta on the table, lemon wedges, and fresh bread.

Notes

    • Choose the right cut for the ground beef. The most suitable are 80/20 or 85/15, the extra fat gives flavor.
    • If you prefer leaner biftekia, ask for lean ground beef and add grated zucchini and carrot for extra moisture.
    • Keep the mixture covered for at least half an hour in the refrigerator before forming the biftekia. As it cools, all the aromas will integrate with the meat, all the flavors will combine, the fibers will relax even more, and the burgers will become even fluffier.
    • Be extra careful when handling already frozen ground meat. When you use frozen meat, it must be cooked and eaten once it is mixed. Putting the biftekia mixture from the frozen ground meat back into the freezer is a big no.
    • You can freeze fresh ground meat. Form the burgers and store them in the freezer. Place each uncooked burger onto a piece of parchment paper. Stack them, making sure to have a layer of paper between each one, and place them into an air-tight container to freeze.
    • It is best to enjoy the burgers shortly after baking. The burgers are wonderful as long as they are still warm from the oven. Hot, juicy, and fluffy.
    • Store leftover burgers in the refrigerator for up to two days. The burgers will harden, so I prefer to reheat them in a sauce, such as mushroom sauce or gravy.
    • The potatoes will last longer in the fridge, so have them in a separate container. Reheat in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes and enjoy with eggs, a salad, veggies, or another grilled protein.
 
Nutritional Info – Please remember that the nutritional information provided is only estimated and can vary based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 1078mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 5mg