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How to Cook Burgers in the Oven

You can cook burgers in the oven?!

Is this for real?

Fat, juicy, splattery, burgers that we associate with grills and cookouts, made in the oven?

It’s not a dream, baby – this is real life!

oven-baked cheeseburger on a rack

 

Can you truly cook burgers in the oven?

And not just any burger, but a juicy and delicious burger?

Yes, my darling readers, you can!

#pinkyswear

I know some of you will wrinkle your nose at the very notion of making a burger in the oven.

SACRILEGE!

Hang on, now; let’s see if I can’t change your mind.

My burger jonesing dilemma started as such: it was the dead of winter, and I was longing for Garry’s smoked-on-the-grill burgers.

His burgers are the stuff of legend and perfectly satisfying foodie dreams.

WANT!

Then spring comes, GLORIOUS SPRING!, but sometimes he’s too busy to grill, so I find my cravings still go unsatisfied (the humanity!).

What’s a gal to do when she’s jonesing for a grilled burger?

One saddy sad day, with no burgers in sight, I decided to try making them in the oven.

I was skeptical, maybe like you at the beginning of this post, but my craving was gnawing at me, like a baby with a teething biscuit, and had to be fed.

With no Garry available to make me his to-die-for burgers, I resorted to the only recourse I had at hand – my oven.

But seriously, come on, can you really cook burgers in the oven?

Judging from the photos alone, I’d say: YEAH, BABY!

At the very least, can good burgers be made in the oven?

Funny thing, that question. I discovered an oven-baked burger is a game-changer.

The one caveat of course is they lack that smoky deliciousness you can only find on the grill.

The bonus is these are easy to make with no need to build and stoke a fire.

Win – win!

How to cook burgers in oven:

While these instruction will work will any temp you choose to cook you burgers, I’ll include a temperature guide as well.

To start, I used a pan with about 1/2-1″ deep and then placed a cookie sheet on top.

I didn’t want the burgers sitting in grease – so this is my makeshift solution:

How To: Burgers Made in the Oven

The grate was the perfect solution for perfectly cooked burgers.

The excess grease fell off the burgers as the cooked and into the lipped pan.

If you spray the pan with cooking spray before you begin, it makes clean up a breeze.

An alternative would be to linne the pan with foil for even easier clean up.

Look at that thang o’beauty:

How To: Burgers Made in the Oven

How to cook hamburgers in the oven without a rack.

While a rack will allow the grease to drain easily from the burger while cooking, it’s not an absolute necessity to have for great burgers from the oven.

The easiest way to cook hamburgers without a rack is to line a pan with foil (like the one above – make sure it is a bit deeper than an ordinary cookie sheet to allow for juices) and simply place your burgers in the pan and cook as per instructions.

When the burgers are done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined platter and let fully drain before serving.

Or, even better, broil to finish.

How to broil hamburgers in the oven.

Make the burgers in the oven, following recipe – BUT – in the last 5-7 minutes of cooking, transfer the burgers to your broiler rack.

Broil 2-3 minutes per side – and, viola, perfectly broiled hamburgers from the oven!

Oven Baked Burgers Variations:

The recipe below is completely adaptable to your cravings.

Garry’s favorite way to make a burger is to add a bit of hot sauce to the meat before forming patties. Gives it a bit a zing and keeps the burgers moist.

My FAVORITE addition to everything from popcorn to patties is Fiesta’s Pinto Bean seasoning (you can find a link to the seasoning at the bottom of the printable recipe card!).

I used it in these burgers and YURM!

If you need a bit of a smoky flavor, try the smoked paprika (another of my absolute favs). Once you start using it, you’ll want it on everthang!

One of tricks is to roll my cheese ball in smoked paprika. It’s gorgeous and addictive.

DELISH!

Let’s nutshell this post:

How to make burgers in the oven using different temperatures.

No, there’s not gonna be a test, but if there was, mmmm, tastiest test, ever.

For the following temperature ranges, know that times may vary for the desired doneness of your burger and the thickness of your patty:

To make sure you are doing this thang right, insert a thermometer into the center of the patties, then take out of oven when your burgers reach the desired temperature:

  • 135°F for medium-rare
  • 140°F for medium
  • 145°F for medium-well
  • 160°F for well done

How long to cook burgers in the oven at 350°?

About 20 minutes on the low-end range. Go higher for a more well-cooked burger.

How long to cook burgers in oven at 400°?

About 15 minutes on the low-end range. Go higher for a more well-cooked burger.

How long to cook burgers in a 425° oven?

It depends on how well-cooked you like your burgers.

I cook mine to medium rare temps (130°-135°), so between 15-20 minutes.

If you want them a little more cooked, add a few minutes, but ALWAYS use a meat thermometer.

How long to cook burgers in over at 450°?

Cooking a burger in the oven at this high of a temp will cook the outside quickly, but the inside will need more time, so use your discretion.

About 15 minutes on the low-end range. Go higher for a more well-cooked burger.

Do you need to flip burgers in the oven?

I don’t think it’s 100% necessary, but I like to flip my burgers once.

One and done, baby!

What to serve with with your burgers straight from the oven.

I like oven fries, tater tots, coleslaw, or oven baked corn!

That oven baked corn is another game changer.

It cooks at the same temps as the burgers, so throw everything in at the same time – BAMMO! – dinner.

How much easier can it be?!

What to make with leftover burgers.

Anyone else just snort?

Leftovers – lol.

But…in case you do have leftover burgers, I’ve got a couple of amazing recipes for you.

#1) My fav: Grilled Burger Pizza.

Grilled Burger Pizza

This pizza is our absolute favorite and it’s great for a crowd, or two teenaged boys!

#2)  A simple meat sauce.

Want a Simple and Delicious Meat Sauce? This!

The burgers will add a layer of OMGEEEEE!

It’s also a quick meal since you don’t have to brown the meat.

#3) Majorie’s fav ( a dear friend who coveted Garry’s grilled burgers):

Simply warm them up in microwave (or toaster oven – if you can’t abide, CAN’T ABIDE!, microwaves, like me).

There you have it.

On the days you’re craving a juicy burger, but don’t have the time to grill, now you know how to make burgers in the oven.

Enough jibber-jabber.

Go.

Feed yer craving for a juicy oven-grilled burger.

Happy Eating, Y’all!

Let’s get to it (for your convenience, I’ve included a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post)!cheeseburger on a rack

 

Oven Baked Hamburger Recipe

~I know – I can’t stop drooling at the thought of those delicious burgers either~

OMT!’s Oven Baked Burgers

Ingredients:

80/20 hamburger meat – I use this ratio for perfectly juicy burgers. Go any lower on the fat content and your burger run the risk of being dry when cooked.

Seasonings – mine vary from diced onion and jalapenos/salt/pepper/onion or garlic powder. You get it. Use what rocks your world.

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°.
  2. Place pan in oven to heat while oven is pre-heating. (You can spray with a vegetable spray, if you like. I didn’t.)
  3. Place all ingredients in a bowl and lightly mix (don’t be an over-mixer, or run the risk of tough burgers!).
  4. Pat into patties. You can go as thick as you want, but the thicker burgers take more time to cook. I went between 1/2- 3/4 inch thick to between 3-4 inches wide. Remember they will cook down and won’t be as big as they are raw.
  5. Take heated pan out of oven and place burgers on and replace in oven.

Cook burgers by temperature:

Rare: 120 to 125

Medium Rare: 130 to 135

Medium Well: 150 to 155

Well Done: 160 to 165

IMPORTANT NOTES: For Making Burgers in the Oven:

The minimal safe internal temperature according to the USDA is 145° for beef.

Count on at least 15-20 minutes of full cook times.

I flipped ours halfway through.

Because ovens vary, and because of various cook times for various doneness requirements and sizes of burgers, you may find it takes a bit longer or shorter until you’re ready to eat!

Once burgers reach the internal temp you desire, remove from oven and allow 5-10 minutes of rest time before devouring.

Burger in the Oven Options:

~ Once burgers are done, top with cheese and pop into oven for a few more minutes until cheese is melted.

~ To get a more crispy edge, once burgers are done, place under broiler for a few seconds (watch closely) and then top with cheese – or not – dealer’s choice

oven-baked cheeseburger on a rack

How To: Burgers Made in the Oven

Yield: 8 burgers
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Want a burger, but don't have an outdoor grill? No problem! Cook your burgers in the oven. It's a game-changer.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
  • 1/2 finely diced onion
  • Jalapenos to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°.
  2. Place pan, with cooking rack, in oven to heat while oven is pre-heating. (You can spray with a vegetable spray, if you like. I didn’t.)
  3. Place all ingredients in a bowl and lightly mix (don’t be an over-mixer, or run the risk of tough burgers!).
  4. Form into patties. You can go as thick as you want, but the thicker burgers take more time to cook. I went between 1/2- 3/4 inch thick to between 3-4 inches wide. Remember they will cook down and won’t be as big as they are raw.
  5. Take heated pan out of oven and place burgers on and replace in oven.

Notes

Final Temperatures:

Rare: 120 to 125

Medium Rare: 130 to 135

Medium Well: 150 to 155

Well Done: 160 to 165

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The minimal safe internal temperature according to the USDA is 145° for beef.

Count on at least 15-20 minutes of full cook times.

I flipped ours halfway through.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 Burger
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 412Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 594mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 26g

Originally posted July 2, 2018. Updated May 17, 2022.

If you’re interested in having the Top 10 OMT! Recipes in one place (no searching!), click anywhere on the image below

Rest yer weary fingers.

Except to click on the image.

You still have enough strength for that.

COME ON!

YOU CAN DO IT!

IF you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few others to try:

Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken

Oven Roasted BBQ Chicken on a blue plate

Easy Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

How To: Easy Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

And for the most amazing brined to perfection turkey (for all occassions!):

Easy Recipe to Brine a Turkey

two turkeys in brining liquid covered in ice in a cooler

I hope you enjoy each and every recipe – we do!

If you have never made burgers in the oven (cooked burgers in the oven), and you decide to try this recipe, come back and let us know what you thought.

Happy cooking!

Share It!

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Just J

Thursday 6th of October 2022

...adding just a touch of liquid smoke to your meat will give that from the grill flavor *drool*...

Lisa

Sunday 20th of March 2022

I am making your oven burgers tonight with lots of cheese. Our baby dog will be euthanized tomorrow. A delicious burger is just what she wants. Thank you so much

Patti Tucker

Sunday 20th of March 2022

Oh, Lisa, I am so sorry for your heartbreaking situation. What sweetness that you are making her burgers. God be with you and bless you on this journey.

Mary

Wednesday 10th of February 2021

How is a hamburger 32g of carbohydrates?? Was this a typo?

Patti Tucker

Saturday 13th of February 2021

Thank you for the catch - been trying to fix it, but of course a glitch in recipe card.

Kim-madeinaday

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

How awesome! We must try this! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! We hope you will join us again next week! Kim

Patti Tucker

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

Try it!

Amber

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

Awesome article! I make burgers in the oven all the time in winter! It's just to cold to go outside to grill in the snow and we LOVE our protein burgers year round!

Patti Tucker

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

It's so easy and we do it in the winter too!

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