This is a paid post I wrote for Forward Influence on behalf of Avocados from Mexico, RITAS, and TABASCO® Brand. The opinions and text are all mine.
The big game is coming up soon, and I can’t wait to hear what everyone is going to eat. That’s right. I could care less who’s playing. It’s all about the food for me. I love a good chili con queso dip and I have to have my favorite caramelized onion dip.
But, we can’t forget the main event either, and to me, that means wings and burgers. Anyone who doesn’t likes a good burger and a fruity, fizzy Lime-A-Rita while watching the big game?
Burgers are a classic American meal that many of us grew up enjoying. Whether it’s a weekend cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, juicy beef burgers satisfy a craving like little else. But nailing the right cooking time can mean the difference between a nicely seared patty and an overcooked hockey puck. So how long should you cook beef burgers in the oven?
The timing depends on a few factors, including patty thickness and doneness preference But following some simple guidelines will help you pull tender, mouthwatering oven-baked burgers every time.
Oven Temperature for Beef Burgers
Preheating your oven to 375-400°F is ideal for burgers. Any hotter, and the outside may overcook before the inside cooks through. Cooler, and the patties won’t develop that lovely sear
At 375-400°F, the burgers will cook evenly throughout without drying out. You can also add cheese slices in the last few minutes to melt for cheeseburgers.
How Thick Should Burger Patties Be?
Patty thickness directly impacts cooking time. Most burger patties fall into two categories:
- 1/4 pound – About 3/4 inch thick
- 1/3 pound – Around 1 inch thick
In general, thinner patties take less time. Aim for a 3/4 inch thickness for even cooking and a nice crust on the outside.
If you prefer very thick burgers, extend the cooking time a few minutes to allow the inside to fully cook without burning the exterior.
How Long to Cook 1/4 lb Beef Burgers
For a classic 1/4 pound burger that’s roughly 3/4 inch thick, allow 15-18 minutes of bake time. The trick is using an instant-read thermometer.
Cook until the patties reach 160°F internally for medium doneness. Below are approximate guidelines:
- Rare: 140°F (not recommended for safety)
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F
- Medium well: 165°F
- Well done: 170°F+
If adding cheese, do so in the last 1-2 minutes so it melts.
How Long to Cook 1/3 lb Beef Burgers
Since 1/3 pound patties are thicker, extend the cooking time to 18-22 minutes. Again, use a thermometer to judge doneness, not just time.
Burgers, like all meat, continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven. So pull them at 155°F for medium doneness to account for carryover cooking.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Burgers
Follow these tips for tender oven burgers every time:
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Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor and moisture. Going too lean results in dry burgers.
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Make a dimple in the center of the patties to prevent bulging as they cook.
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Season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire, etc. Herbs like thyme and rosemary also add nice flavor.
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Place patties on a wire rack set on a baking sheet for air circulation and to prevent sitting in grease.
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Brush buns with butter or olive oil before toasting for extra flavor.
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Melt cheese during last 1-2 minutes only to prevent burning or slipping off.
Oven-Baked Burgers Beat Pan Frying
Cooking burgers in the oven eliminates the need to painstakingly pan fry patties in batches. Simply season the beef, shape into patties, and let the oven do the work.
Follow the guidelines above for perfectly juicy oven-baked burgers every time. Ditch the splattering grease on your stovetop, and enjoy hands-off burgers with ease.
How to bake hamburgers
I created this recipe to serve a crowd. It uses 3 pounds of meat and should make 12 quarter pound burgers. If you want to make less, feel free to cut the recipe in half. But please remember that if you change the size of your burgers, you’ll probably need to change the amount of time they cook for.
Preheat the oven to 425˚F and place a cooling rack into a cookie sheet. This allows the air to circulate under the patties, and lets them cook more evenly.
Make your burger patties. Add some yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt to the ground beef and mix it all together. The simple ingredients in TABASCO® Sauce make my burgers taste even better, so I like to add one to two teaspoons of it to them. Adding the seasoning before cooking makes sure that my guests will have a great burger experience no matter what toppings they choose.
Mix until your flavors are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Then divide and shape your meat into quarter pound patties. It would be best to use a kitchen scale for this, but cutting it into 12 equal pieces should work too.
Bake your burgers. Place the patties onto the cooling rack and bake for about 15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I like to cook my burgers to about 155˚F – 160˚F for medium. They burgers will continue to cook a little when you take them out of the oven. It might take a little longer than 15 minutes to cook your burgers to perfection.
You can add dairy-free cheese slices with about two minutes left in the cooking time.
Can you cook burgers in the oven?
Usually, I use the grill to make hamburgers, but our grill is buried under snow until spring comes and melts our backyard. So I decided to try a new method of cooking hamburgers – in the oven.
That’s right. You can actually bake hamburgers in the oven and end up with an delicious burger. This is a very easy and great alternative to cooking for a lot of people on game day. You will make it again and again.
OVEN COOKED BEEF BURGER PATTIES / How To Cook Homemade BEEF BURGERS / Hamburgers In The Oven
FAQ
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