Description
Juicy oven-baked burgers deliver mouthwatering flavor without grilling hassle. Quick preparation and simple ingredients make this recipe a perfect weeknight dinner solution you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef (80/20 for juicier burgers)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (½ tsp) black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon (½ tsp) garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon (½ tsp) onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon (½ tsp) smoked paprika (optional)
Burger Toppings and Accompaniments:
- 4 hamburger buns
- Cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss, or American)
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Onion rings
- Pickles
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400F (200C) and lining a baking sheet with protective aluminum foil or parchment paper to facilitate effortless cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Create a flavor-packed meat mixture by gently combining ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix minimally to maintain meat’s tenderness and prevent tough texture.
- Carefully portion the seasoned beef into four uniform patties, ensuring each is approximately half-inch thick. Craft a subtle center depression in each patty to prevent uneven rising during cooking and promote consistent heat distribution.
- Arrange the formed patties strategically on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each burger. Slide the tray into the preheated oven and allow burgers to cook for 12-15 minutes, rotating them midway to guarantee uniform browning and proper internal temperature.
- For those desiring cheeseburgers, introduce cheese slices during the final two minutes of cooking, allowing them to melt elegantly over the hot patties.
- Simultaneously toast burger buns by placing them cut-side up on the baking sheet, achieving a light golden crispness that enhances overall sandwich texture.
- Once cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160F (71C), remove burgers from the oven and transfer each patty onto a toasted bun. Embellish with preferred condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
- Present the burgers immediately alongside complementary sides such as crispy french fries, crunchy potato chips, or a refreshing garden salad to complete the meal.
Notes
- Freezing patties beforehand helps maintain their shape and prevents shrinkage during baking, ensuring a consistent burger size.
- Avoid pressing down on burgers while cooking to keep them juicy and prevent moisture loss, which can result in dry meat.
- For leaner meat options, use ground turkey or chicken and adjust cooking time slightly to prevent drying out, typically reducing cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Add moisture-rich ingredients like grated onions or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to ground meats with lower fat content to enhance tenderness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg