Description
Oven-baked burgers provide a delicious, foolproof method for preparing classic American hamburgers without grilling. Home cooks can easily craft juicy patties with minimal effort and maximum flavor, creating restaurant-quality results in their own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80/20 for juicier burgers)
- 4 hamburger buns
- Cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss, or American)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) black pepper
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) onion powder
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) smoked paprika (optional)
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Onion rings
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), line baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick surface.
- Meat Mixture: Gently blend ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, mixing minimally to preserve meat’s tender texture.
- Patty Formation: Shape four uniform patties about half-inch thick, creating a subtle center depression to prevent uneven cooking and ensure consistent heat distribution.
- Cooking Process: Position patties on prepared baking sheet with spacing, cook for 12-15 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform browning and proper internal temperature. For cheeseburgers, add cheese slices during final two minutes of cooking.
- Bun Preparation: Toast burger buns cut-side up on the baking sheet until lightly golden and crisp.
- Plating and Serving: Once internal temperature reaches 160F (71C), transfer patties to toasted buns. Garnish with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles. Serve immediately with french fries, potato chips, or garden salad.
Notes
- Minimize Meat Handling: Mix burger ingredients gently to prevent tough, dense patties that can become rubbery when overworked.
- Create Perfect Patty Shape: Make a small center dimple in each patty to ensure even cooking and prevent bulging during baking.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm burgers reach 160F for food safety without overcooking and drying out the meat.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef with lean turkey, plant-based alternatives, or ground chicken for healthier burger variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg