Oven-baked burgers are crusty, moist, and juicy. It is cleanest method compared to pan cooking or turning on a grill.
Burgers are usually cooked in the oven using a wire rack because it encourages even cooking from top to bottom with better air circulation. But when a wire rack is not available, you may wonder what are other methods to cook hamburgers in the oven.
How do you cook hamburgers in the oven without a rack? Place the burger patties on an aluminum foiled lined baking sheet. This will help to cut out the mess, prevent from sticking to the pan, and keep the meat moist.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius. Ensure the burgers are not too crowded and leave enough space around each piece.
Season the burgers and bake for 15 to 30 minutes. Flip over each patty halfway through cooking.
Optionally, broil the burgers for a minute or two at the end, and add a slice of cheese on top to melt before removing from the oven.
A wire rack keeps the meat off the baking sheet and drains away fat. In comparison, placing directly on a foil lined baking tray keeps the juice intact with the burger.
However, the wire rack is not the only option to cook burgers in the oven and the possibilities of oven-baked burgers are endless. Answered below are frequently asked questions about tips and techniques to cook burgers without a rack for best results.
Can you cook burgers in oven without a rack?
Yes, you can cook burgers in oven without a rack. Simply place meat patties directly on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and spray with non-stick cooking spray if desired.
Aluminum foil is a useful tool in oven cooking. It transmits heat and makes it easy to clean up any drips that arise during while cooking.
The shiny or dull side of foil does not affect the result of cooking. However, make sure the foil fully covers the baking tray to cleanup easily.
In addition, frozen burgers works well without a rack. It maintains the moisture and juiciness without getting dried up.
Do you bake hamburgers covered or uncovered?
It is best to uncover hamburgers while baking in the oven. Uncovered burgers get a crustier exterior without overcooking the center.
When hamburgers are covered while cooking, it creates steam and results in a mushy and soggy texture at the end.
When serving well-cooked burgers, it is best to wrap them in foil, place on a baking sheet and transfer to a preheated oven. This will prevent the burgers from drying out and ensure they will remain warm when left on the counter.
Do you need to flip burgers in the oven?
Yes, you need to flip burgers in the oven, especially when cooking without a rack. Flipping encourages even doneness on both sides of the patty.
When cooking burgers without a wire rack, the juice tends to remain at the bottom, while the top tends to dry out and toughen the meat. When meat has direct contact with the baking sheet, there is less air circulation to cook through.
Therefore, flip the patties when you see liquid pooling on the uncooked surface or halfway of the cooking time.
Make sure that the foil is non-stick so when flipping the burger, it does not stick to the pan or lose the juices.
Tips to cook hamburgers in the oven without a rack
Cooking burgers in the oven without a rack requires more than following a recipe. The burger meat tends to overcook, toughen, and dry up easier than you think.
Here are useful tips to cook hamburgers in the oven without a rack:
- Make sure the baking sheet is a bit deeper than an ordinary cookie sheet to allow for juices to pool up.
- Spray with non-stick cooking oil to prevent the burgers from sticking.
- Evenly space out the burgers and eliminate overcrowding or overlapping.
- Flip the burger halfway to cook thoroughly.
- Broil the burgers at the last minute to give a grilled taste and charred effect.
- When topping with cheese, add 1 to 2 minutes oven cooking to melt.
- Wrap already cooked burgers with foil to keep warm.
Baking Hamburgers Without Rack: Conclusion
Typically, oven cooking requires a wire rack to cook evenly and reduce fat content on the meat. However, oven-baked hamburgers are possible without a rack. Just line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place burger patties to cook.
The foil wrapped tray will reduce splattering, make it easy to cleanup, maintain moisture on the meat, and eliminate sticking problems when flipped.
Start the oven and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius to bake for 15 to 30 minutes. The doneness of the hamburger depends on your desired preference and internal temperature.
Carefully flip the burgers at the half point of cooking. Lastly, broil for a minute or two, and add a cheese topping for melting beautifully.
Oven makes cooking meat very easy, quick, and straightforward.