Enjoy juicy and flavor-packed Baked Hamburgers straight from the oven!
Look, I love grilling as much as the next guy. But when the sun blazes or the temperature drops, I tend to fry up my patties on my ever-faithful cast-iron pan. They taste amazing—arguably better than from the grill. Only, I don’t like the mess, and when I’m making a ton of burgers, it can take a while. That’s where baked hamburgers come in.
I understand that baking a burger seems, well, wrong. Trust me, it’s not. In fact, when you bake your burgers, you’ll get deliciously tender and flavorful meat. That’s because your oven cooks more evenly than your grill or pan. And these aren’t your average burgers, by the way. I marinate my ground beef in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce—just enough to bring out the natural taste of the meat.
So, if you’re hosting friends and family, these baked hamburgers will surely be a hit.
Are Baked Hamburgers Healthy?
It really depends on how lean your meat is. Eighty percent lean meat ensures you’ll get a juicier burger, but that also means you’re getting more fat. Using lean ground beef reduces the amount of saturated fat, but you do run the risk of overcooking or drying out the meat. If you go with 90% lean meat or higher, I’d watch those patties closely. For an even leaner protein, consider swapping the beef for ground turkey; however, I recommend adding an egg or avocado oil to the meat so it won’t dry out in the oven.
Of course, how you top your burgers will also affect their nutritional profile. Layers of cheese will not be as wholesome as fresh veggies!
Why Avocado?
Well, why not? I mean, who doesn’t love avocado? For those who don’t, you have to try this spread because it elevates this recipe with a creamy tanginess. Ripe avocados combined with lime juice and a touch of salt create a fresh and vibrant topping that complements the savory beef patties. And that lime juice? I don’t just use it for flavor—it actually acts as a color stabilizer. We all know how quickly avocado turns brown! After all, in cooking, aesthetics matter. All this to say, this simple addition brings a delightful twist to your burger, so don’t skip it!
How To Make Ahead And Store
The burgers should stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also store the cooked patties in your freezer for up to 4 months—as long as you use a freezer-safe bag. (I usually wrap them individually in plastic wrap first.)
Serving Suggestions
It goes without saying… but I’m going to say it anyway! You simply must have some Homemade French Fries with your burgers! I especially love sweet potato fries with this recipe. Alternatively, an Old-Fashioned Potato Salad is a solid pick for hotter days. And I’d never say no to a side of Apple Coleslaw and Baked Corn On The Cob.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 avocados
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 pounds lean ground beef at least 80% lean
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 whole-wheat burger buns
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onion
- Dairy-free cheese slices
Instructions
- Mash the avocados with lime juice and salt in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate to create a fresh avocado spread.
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F and prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack to ensure even cooking of the hamburgers.
- Combine the ground beef with mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 12 patties and arrange them on the prepared rack.
- Bake the patties for 15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 155˚F for medium doneness. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving on a bun with your desired toppings.
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