Reheating burgers while keeping them moist can be tricky. Burgers tend to dry out quickly when reheated using traditional methods. The key is to reheat them gently and not expose them to direct high heat. Here are some tips for reheating burgers to keep them tasting juicy and fresh.
Should you microwave burgers?
Microwaving is one of the fastest ways to reheat burgers, but often leaves them dry and rubbery. The intense heat of the microwave tends to cook burgers again, squeezing moisture out of them. For best results, avoid reheating burgers in the microwave if possible.
Use the oven or toaster oven
The oven or toaster oven are much gentler on reheating burgers than the microwave. Set the oven to 300°F and place burger patties on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Heat for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Check frequently to prevent overcooking. The lower heat helps retain moisture in the patties.
Use a skillet or griddle
For single burgers, reheating in a skillet or on a griddle over medium-low heat works well. Add a teaspoon of butter or oil to the pan to keep the burger from sticking. Cook a few minutes per side until heated through. Avoid flattening the patty as that squeezes out juices.
Steam them
Steaming is a simple way to gently reheat burgers while keeping them moist. Place patties in a steaming basket or perforated pan over an inch or two of simmering water. Cover and steam 3-5 minutes until heated through. The steam provides enough heat to warm them without overcooking.
Use the defrost setting on a microwave
If reheating burgers in the microwave, use the defrost setting at 50% power. This more delicate heat warms them gradually without drying them out. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, checking frequently. Let stand 1-2 minutes after microwaving as heat will continue conducting through the patty.
Partially wrap in foil
Wrap each burger patty partially in foil, leaving the top exposed. Heat in a 300°F oven or toaster oven for 10-15 minutes until hot, keeping the foil-wrapped bottom from drying out. Or wrap the burger bun separately to warm and steam the bun.
Use a moist heating method
You can keep burgers moist by heating gently in a moist environment. Place them in a covered dish along with a cup of water or broth. Heat at 300°F in the oven or simmer on the stovetop until warmed through, 15-20 minutes. The steam from the liquid helps prevent drying.
Add a few drops of water
When reheating single burgers in the skillet or microwave, add a few drops of water along with the patty. As the water heats and steams, it will provide needed moisture to the burger. Just take care not to add too much liquid.
Don’t refrigerate too long
For best results, try to reheat burgers within 3-4 days of cooking. The longer burgers sit in the fridge, the more moisture is lost. Use freshly cooked patties if possible, or freeze burgers for longer storage and defrost before reheating.
Use a reheating sauce or spread
Coat burgers with a moist sauce, glaze or spread before reheating to help retain natural juices in the patty. Barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard or mayo can all add back moisture. Brush on lightly to avoid making the bun soggy.
Preheat buns
Warm burger buns before reheating patties so everything finishes heating at the same time. Use the oven, toaster or microwave to gently preheat buns 3-5 minutes until hot. Moist buns will help keep the burger juicy overall.
Don’t press down while cooking
Avoid pressing down on the patties with a spatula when reheating burgers, whether in the skillet, oven or grill. Pressing squeezes out their natural juices, leaving them dry. Let them reheat undisturbed.
Allow standing time
Once reheated, let burgers rest 2-5 minutes before serving. The residual heat will continue to warm them while allowing juices to redistribute evenly throughout the patty. This helps avoid dry edges or centers.
Store patties separately
When storing cooked burgers in the fridge before reheating, separate the patties with squares of parchment or wax paper. This prevents them from sticking together so no juices are lost when pulling them apart.
Don’t reheat too many times
Avoid reheating cooked burgers more than once. Each successive reheating loses more moisture. For best results, fully cool leftover cooked burgers, store properly and reheat once before serving.
Reheating Leftover Burgers in the Oven
The oven is a great way to reheat leftover burgers while keeping them moist and juicy. Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
– Leftover burger patties
– Burger buns
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Place burger patties on a foil-lined baking sheet spaced apart.
- Heat patties in oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- Wrap burger buns separately in foil and place in oven 3-5 minutes until warm.
- Remove patties and buns from oven.
- Assemble burgers by placing patties on bottom buns.
- Top with desired condiments and top bun.
- Serve warm burgers immediately.
Tips:
- Check patties frequently to avoid overcooking.
- Use cooked patties within 3-4 days for best moisture retention.
- Add a little butter or oil to the baking sheet to keep patties from sticking.
- The foil helps steam the buns so they don’t dry out.
The low gentle heat of the oven warms through the burgers without squeezing out their natural juices like quicker, higher heat methods would.
Reheating Leftover Burgers in the Skillet
Reheating leftover burgers in a skillet or pan on the stovetop is a quick and easy weeknight dinner option.
Ingredients:
– Leftover cooked burger patties
– 1 tsp butter or oil
– Burger buns
– Desired condiments
Instructions:
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add butter or oil and let melt.
- Add burger patties and cook 2-3 minutes per side until heated through.
- Place buns in skillet to lightly toast cut sides.
- Remove patties and buns from skillet.
- Assemble burgers by placing patties on bottom buns.
- Top with desired condiments and top bun.
- Serve burgers immediately.
Tips:
- Avoid pressing down on the patties while cooking.
- Add just a teaspoon of water to the pan for a little steam.
- Cook over medium-low heat to prevent overcooking.
- Let patties rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
The skillet allows quick reheating while the lower heat helps retain the juiciness in the patties.
Reheating Leftover Burgers in the Microwave
The microwave can be used to quickly reheat leftover burgers in a pinch. Use these tips for the best results:
Ingredients:
– Leftover cooked burger patties
– Burger buns
– Desired condiments
Instructions:
- Heat burger buns in microwave 10-20 seconds until warm.
- Place patties on microwave-safe plate spaced apart.
- Microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
- Let patties rest 1-2 minutes after microwaving.
- Assemble burgers by placing patties on bottom buns.
- Top with desired condiments and top bun.
- Serve burgers immediately.
Tips:
- Add a few drops of water to the plate to create steam.
- Use defrost setting instead of full power.
- Don’t microwave frozen patties – thaw first.
- Rotate patties halfway for even heating.
The lower power and short cooking time prevents the intense heat of the microwave from drying out the burgers.
Reheating Leftover Burgers by Steaming
Steaming is a gentle moist-heat method that keeps leftover burgers tender and juicy.
Ingredients:
– Leftover cooked burger patties
– 1 cup water or broth
– Burger buns
– Desired condiments
Instructions:
- Place 1 cup water or broth in a skillet. Bring to a simmer.
- Put patties in a steaming basket or perforated pan suspended over water.
- Cover skillet and steam patties 3-5 minutes until heated through.
- Steam or microwave buns separately until warm.
- Assemble burgers by placing patties on bottom buns.
- Top with desired condiments and top buns.
- Serve burgers immediately.
Tips:
- Check water level periodically, add more if needed.
- Keep skillet covered for best steam distribution.
- Heat buns just until warm, not soggy.
- Let patties rest 1-2 minutes after steaming.
The gentle heat and moisture of the steam reheats the burgers without drying them out.
Best Practices for Reheating Burgers
Follow these top tips for reheating burgers successfully:
- Use gentle heat – oven, skillet or steamer are best.
- Don’t microwave burgers from frozen – defrost first.
- Partially wrap patties in foil to reduce drying.
- Cook at lower temperatures like 300°F oven or medium-low skillet.
- Let burgers rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Add a little butter, oil or sauce for extra moisture.
- Avoid pressing down patties when cooking.
- Preheat buns separately to serve hot.
- Use leftover cooked burgers within 3-4 days.
- Don’t reheat more than once.
Following these reheating tips will keep your burgers tasting their juicy, fresh-cooked best.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to dry out burgers when reheating. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Microwaving on high power
- Grilling over direct high heat
- Pan-frying over high heat
- Reheating from frozen state
- Pressing down patties while cooking
- Letting burgers overcook
- Reheating too many times
- Storing burgers too long before reheating
These mistakes increase the risk of drying out burgers by squeezing out their natural juices during reheating. Stick to gentler methods at lower heat instead.
FAQs
Can you reheat frozen burgers?
It’s best to fully defrost frozen burgers before reheating to ensure food safety and keep burgers juicy. Defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat using one of the moist methods above. Microwaving frozen burgers risks unsafe temperatures and drying them out.
How long can you store cooked burgers before reheating?
For best quality and moisture retention, reuse cooked burger patties within 3-4 days. Freeze for longer storage periods up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. The longer burgers are refrigerated, the more moisture is lost.
What temp should you reheat burgers to?
Reheat burgers to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer inserted in the thickest part. This ensures any bacteria are killed while still maintaining juiciness. Don’t let burgers overcook beyond 165°F internal temperature.
Can you reheat burgers on the grill?
It’s best to avoid reheating burgers directly over a hot grill. The intense direct heat can dry them out quickly. Use indirect heat, flipping frequently, and brush with sauce to add moisture if grilling. Or better yet, stick to gentler reheating methods like the oven or skillet.
Conclusion
Reheating burgers while keeping them moist and juicy takes a little finesse. The keys are using gentle, even heat at lower temperatures and not overcooking. Give burgers time to reheat through without squeezing out their natural juices. With the proper reheating method, you can enjoy leftover burgers that taste as delicious as the night they were originally cooked.