How Much Does a Beef Patty Weigh? A Guide to Common Sizes

Beef patties are a backyard grilling must-have and the star of many a burger night. But with so many patty options at stores it’s tricky to know what size to buy. You want patties that will cook evenly fit the buns, and provide proper portions. So what’s the weight of an average beef burger patty? Let’s explore common sizes and weights.

Overview of Beef Patty Weights

Beef patties range from petite slider patties to giant half-pounders Some standard sizes include

• Sliders – Around 2 ounces each
• Regular – 3-4 ounces
• Quarter Pounders – 4 ounces each
• Third Pounders – Around 5 ounces
• Half Pounders – 8 ounces each

For a single burger, 4 ounces (a quarter pound) is the typical patty weight. But you can adjust up or down based on appetite and buns.

Popular Restaurant Patty Weights

Looking at popular chains gives a sense of common patty weights:

• McDonald’s – 3.2 ounces in regular burgers
• Burger King – 4 ounces in the Whopper
• In-N-Out – Two 2 ounce patties in the Double-Double
• Steak ‘N Shake – 7 patties at 2 ounces each in the 7×7 Steakburger
• Fuddruckers – Sizes from 5 ounces to 1/2 pound

As you see, even big chains use patty weights ranging from 2 ounces up to 8 ounces depending on the burger style and portion size.

Average Weights by Patty Name

Beyond specific restaurants, here are general weight ranges by patty name and style:

• Sliders – 2 ounces
• Regular patties – 3-4 ounces
• Quarter pounders – 4 ounces
• Third pounders – 5 ounces
• Half pounders – 8 ounces
• Mini patties – 2-3 ounces
• Large or mega patties – 6-8 ounces

If a package just says “burger patties,” they’ll likely be 3-4 ounces. Fast food often uses thinner 2-3 ounce patties.

Dimensions Based on Weight

In addition to weight, patty dimensions vary based on size. Heavier patties need to be wider and thicker. Some typical dimensions:

• 2 ounce – 3-inch diameter, 1⁄4 inch thick
• 4 ounce – 4-inch diameter, 1⁄2 inch thick
• 6 ounce – 41⁄2-inch diameter, 3⁄4 inch thick
• 8 ounce – 5-inch diameter, 1 inch thick

Generally, add 1⁄2 inch diameter and 1⁄8 inch thickness for every 1 to 2 ounces added. Greater weight means a wider, thicker patty.

How Weight Affects Cook Time

An important consideration with patty weight is cook time. Thicker, heavier patties take longer to cook through. Here are estimated grill times by weight:

• 2 ounce – 2-3 minutes per side
• 4 ounce – 4-5 minutes per side
• 6 ounce – 6-7 minutes per side
• 8 ounce – 8-10 minutes per side

Use an instant read thermometer to confirm 160°F internal temperature. But allow a couple extra minutes per side for each additional ounce.

Choosing Weight Based on Buns

Choosing the right patty weight comes down to your bun size. The patty-to-bun ratio should be balanced. Suggested weights for common buns:

• Slider buns – 2 ounce patties
• Regular buns (4′′) – 3-4 ounce patties
• Jumbo buns (5′′) – 6-8 ounce patties
• Brioche buns – 4-6 ounce patties
• Pretzel buns – 4-6 ounce patties

Measure your buns to find the optimal patty weight with full coverage but no overhang. Beyond burger buns, adjust patties as needed for sandwiches, tacos, pizza, etc.

Helpful Weight Conversions

• 1⁄4 pound = 4 ounces
• 1⁄3 pound = 5.3 ounces
• 3⁄4 pound = 12 ounces
• 1 pound = 16 ounces

Knowing these handy conversions can quickly decipher patty weights. Multiply any fraction by 16 to get the ounces.

Best Practices for Portioning

When portioning ground beef for patties yourself, keep these tips in mind:

• Use a food scale for accuracy
• Portion into resealable bags
• Form thinner patties and smash while cooking
• Make indent in center to prevent puffing
• Try round or square patties for even cooking
• Just add a pinch of salt and pepper before cooking

With the right tools and techniques, you can easily customize patties to any weight.

How Much Do Popular Restaurant Burgers Weigh?

To give a better sense of real-world patty weights, here’s a comparison of some top burger joints:

McDonald’s

• Hamburger – 3.2 oz patty
• Quarter Pounder – 4 oz patty

Five Guys

• Little Burger – two 2 oz patties
• Regular Burger – two 3.25 oz patties

Shake Shack

• ShackBurger – 3.25 oz patty
• Double ShackBurger – two 3.25 oz patties

Fuddruckers

• 1/3 Pound Burger – 5.3 oz patty
• 1⁄2 Pound Burger – 8 oz patty

Homemade

• Slider patties – 2 oz
• Regular patties – 4 oz

This comparison shows how chains use 2-8 ounce patties depending on burger style. Homemade allows full customization.

Key Takeaways on Patty Weights

To summarize:

• Standard patty weight is 4 ounces (a quarter pound)

• Weights range from 2 ounces for sliders to 8 ounces for half-pounders

• Consider patty-to-bun ratios when choosing sizes

• Allow extra grill time for heavier patties

• Compare popular restaurant patty weights

Knowing typical beef patty sizes and weights can help you pick the perfect patties for backyard burgers, quick weeknight meals, entertaining, and beyond.