Why you’ll love this baked hamburgers recipe
The big game is right around the corner, and I’m dying to know what everyone is planning to eat. I could care less who’s playing. It’s all about the food for me. We all know there will be snacks, but when I’m hosting I always try to serve something filling – and these perfectly cooked burgers are my go-to choice.
This recipe makes 12 burgers, which makes it perfect for hosting, and you can cook them in the oven, which means you won’t miss any of the game and there won’t be any running out to the grill in the snow.
The key is cooking them in the oven is cooling rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. This lets the air circulate all the way around each patty so they cook evenly while allowing the grease to drip below, just like a grill.
More game day favorites: dairy free potato skins / quick & easy beer chili / fried onion strings
Ingredient notes:
- Ground chuck (80/20) – The fat content here matters. 80/20 keeps the burgers juicy as they bake. Anything fattier might cause a buildup of grease.
- Granulated garlic – I find it easiest to just use granulated or garlic powder to make burgers, but you can use fresh minced garlic if you want.
- Mustard – I always add a little bit to my burgers. It adds a subtle tang and helps bind the patties.
- Hot sauce – This is totally optional, but it adds a nice kick without making the burgers really spicy.
Melissa’s tips & tricks:
- Make sure your rack is oven safe. Not all cooling racks are safe to put in the oven. If your rack has a non-stick coating, make sure it’s safe to use in the oven (not all of them are) or opt for a stainless steel or aluminum rack instead.
- Weigh your patties. Use a kitchen scale to make sure your patties are the same size for even cooking. You want each patty to be 4 ounces or ¼ pound.
- Use a meat thermometer. The easiest way to check for doneness is to use a thermometer. 155˚F–160˚F is medium. 165˚-170˚F will be well done.
- How to serve: I like to create an assemble your own bar so my guests can choose their own toppings – starting with burgers and buns on one side, leading through the different toppings and, on the other end, condiments and napkins.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook burgers in the oven?
Yes — and they turn out great. Baking at a high temperature (425˚F) gives you a nicely browned, juicy patty without any flipping required. The rack setup is the key to making it work.
What temperature should baked hamburgers reach?
For medium, take the burgers out of the oven when the center reaches 155˚F–160˚F. This should take about 15 minutes. For well done, the center should be 165˚F, so you’ll need to add a few minutes of cook time – about 5 more minutes.
Can I make these ahead of time?
The patties can be formed and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking — just keep them covered and separate with pieces of parchment paper if you need to stack them.
More beef recipes: shredded beef tacos / grilled beef satay / bolognese sauce / Guinness braised beef / Greek meatballs / diner style cheeseburgers
Ingredients
- 3 pounds lean ground beef - 80/20
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic - or garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 – 2 teaspoons hot sauce - such as Tabasco
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F and place an oven-safe 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. Mix the ground beef with the yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, hot sauce and salt & pepper until evenly combined.Then, divide and shape into quarter pound burger patties.
- Bake your burgers. Place the patties onto the rack and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155˚F – 160˚F for medium or 165˚F – 170˚F for well done.* Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.If you want to add cheese, do this with about 2 minutes left in cooking time to give it time to melt.Remove burgers from oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
More things to cook in the oven: how to broil steak in the oven / crispy baked chicken wings / baked chicken fajitas / baked scallops / baked chicken kabobs
