Tiffany Haney
Broiling burgers is an easy method that only takes 10 minutes from start to finish. It's a great alternative to grilling burgers, especially in wet and windy weather. To broil burgers, you'll need to preheat your oven to the high broiler setting and prepare a broiler pan or an oven-safe cooking pan with a light layer of non-stick spray. If you're using a broiler pan, cover the tray with aluminium foil or grease a roasting pan or cast-iron pan lightly. Form your burger patties, season them, and broil for 3–4 minutes on each side. You can then top the burgers with cheese and broil for another 20-25 seconds to melt the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Broiler pan | Cover the tray with aluminum foil or use a lightly greased roasting pan or cast-iron pan |
| Oven rack | Position the rack so the top of the pan is 4-6 inches below the heating element |
| Preheat oven | Preheat to the high broiler setting, usually around 500°F (260°C) |
| Meat | Use ground beef, preferably 85/15 lean/fat ratio |
| Spices | Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika |
| Patty preparation | Divide the meat into 3-4 equal portions, shape into discs about 4 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick, make a dimple in the centre |
| Cooking time | Broil for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the centre reaches 130°F (54°C) for medium-rare |
| Cheese | Add a slice of cheese on top of the patty and broil for 20-25 seconds to melt |
| Buns | Place on the bottom rack of the oven and toast until browned |
| Resting time | Allow the burgers to rest for about 5 minutes before serving |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven and prepare the broiler pan
To broil burgers, you'll need to preheat your oven to a high broiler setting. The exact temperature will depend on your oven—for example, one source suggests preheating to 500°F (260°C), while another recommends consulting your oven's broiler settings. Regardless of the exact temperature, the goal is to preheat your oven to its highest possible setting.
While the oven is preheating, prepare your broiler pan by covering the tray with aluminium foil. If you don't have a broiler pan, you can use a lightly greased roasting pan, cast iron pan, or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. You can also use a baking sheet, but avoid using a cookie sheet, as these can buckle and twist at high temperatures, causing meat juices to splatter in the oven. If you do decide to use a baking sheet or cookie sheet, line it with aluminium foil to make cleanup easier and spray it with a light layer of non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Before placing your burgers in the broiler, adjust your oven rack so that the top of the pan or cooking surface will be positioned about 4–6 inches below the heating element. If you want to toast your burger buns, position a second rack in the bottom half of the oven.
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Shape the meat and season the patties
Shaping and seasoning burger patties may seem simple, but there are a few tips and tricks to ensure they are cooked evenly and maintain a desirable shape. Firstly, it is important to choose the right ground meat for your patties. Whether you are using beef, turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative, opt for ground meat with a slightly higher fat content. This will help the patties stay moist and juicy during cooking. Aim for ground meat with a fat content of around 15-20%.
Once you have selected your meat, you can begin shaping the patties. Start by breaking apart the meat over a mixing bowl or a sheet of parchment paper on top of foil. If using the latter method, rub some water on your countertop, place the foil on top, spread more water on the foil, then lay the parchment paper on top. Sprinkle your chosen seasoning over the meat and start to lightly toss the loose meat between your fingers. The meat will become tougher the more it is handled, so work it as little as possible.
Now, it is time to form the patties. There are a few different methods for shaping the patties, but the most common is to form them into a disc shape. One method is to use a lid, such as a mayonnaise jar or Tupperware container lid, that is slightly bigger than the size of your bun. Cover the lid in plastic wrap, then place a good amount of ground beef inside the lid and press the meat down. Remove any excess meat or add more if needed, then flip the patty out. You can also use your hands to shape the patties. Place 5-ounce mounds of beef on the parchment paper and gently press each mound in the center with the palm of one hand, while the other hand cups the beef and helps shape it into a circle.
Regardless of your chosen method, it is important to create an indentation in the center of each patty. This can be done with your thumb or a butter knife. This indentation will help the patty maintain a flat shape as it cooks, as burgers tend to puff up in the center. The ideal thickness for a patty is around 3/4 of an inch, as this allows for even cooking.
Finally, season the patties generously with salt and pepper just before cooking to ensure they stay juicy and flavorful. You can also add other seasonings of your choice. It is best to let the patties rest for a few minutes after shaping and seasoning before placing them on the broiler pan.
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Broiling times and temperatures
Broiling burgers is a quick and easy method that can deliver juicy and flavourful results. The broiling time and temperature will depend on your oven, the thickness of your burgers, and how well-done you like them. Here is a step-by-step guide to broiling times and temperatures:
Preparation
Firstly, preheat your oven to the highest broiler setting, usually around 500°F (260°C). Prepare your broiler pan by covering the tray with aluminium foil, or use a lightly greased roasting pan or cast-iron pan. You can also use a baking sheet with sides, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Position an oven rack so that the top of the pan is about 4–6 inches below the heating element. If you want to toast your burger buns, place a second rack in the bottom half of the oven.
Broiling
Place your seasoned patties on the prepared pan and broil for 3–4 minutes. Then, flip the patties and broil for another 3–4 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on your desired degree of doneness. For a medium-rare burger, cook until the centre of the patty reads 130°F (54°C) on a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends that ground meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to be safe.
Melting Cheese
If you are adding cheese, take the burgers out of the oven and place a slice of cheese on each patty. Put them back under the broiler for just 20–25 seconds. The cheese will likely barely start to melt, but it will continue to melt once out of the oven. If you leave it in too long, the cheese will slide off the burger.
Toasting Buns
If you are toasting your buns, place them on the bottom rack of the oven and set the timer for 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they should only take a few minutes to brown.
Resting and Serving
Allow the burgers to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
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Adding cheese and melting
Adding cheese to your broiled burger can be a little tricky, as you don't want to overcook the patty while melting the cheese. One way to do it is to broil the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, then turn off the oven and add a slice of cheese to each patty. Put the pan back in the still-warm oven for 20 seconds to melt the cheese. The cheese will likely look like it's barely melted, but it will continue to melt once out of the oven. If you leave it in too long, the cheese will slide off onto the pan.
Another method is to broil the patties for 3 minutes on each side, then turn off the oven, add the cheese, and cover the burgers to let the residual heat melt the cheese. This method may not work as well with beef burgers, as they can become overcooked and tough by the time the cheese is melted.
To speed up the melting process, you can let the cheese come to room temperature before placing it on the cooked burger.
You can also experiment with adding the cheese at different points in the cooking process to find the perfect timing.
Some people prefer their cheese not melted on a burger, so you may choose to add the cheese as the last step before serving.
A combination of well-seasoned beef and melted cheese is a popular choice, with toppings like smoked paprika, sauteed onions, and smoked gouda or cheddar.
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Toasting buns and serving
Toasting buns is easy and creates a slightly crispy, buttery bun that will make your burgers even better. If you are toasting a lot of buns, using the oven is a great way to crisp them up.
First, set your oven or toaster oven to broil and let it heat up for 5-10 minutes. Use the highest broil setting if your oven has different settings. If you are using a regular oven, make sure there is an oven rack in the top position, right under the broiler. If you are using a toaster oven with multiple rack positions, you can put the rack in the top position to get the buns closer to the broiler.
Next, prepare your buns. Cut or pull the buns apart to expose the inside for toasting. If you have to cut the buns in half, make the two halves as even as possible so they toast evenly. For an easy flavour boost, spread about 1 tablespoon of butter or 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each bun before placing them under the broiler. Place the buns cut-side-up on a baking sheet.
Now, you can broil the buns. Broil for 30 seconds or until they turn golden brown. Keep an eye on the buns and remove them after 30 seconds or when they start to turn a golden brown colour. It’s easy to go from toasted to burnt with a broiler, so it’s important to stay and watch the buns as they toast.
If you are grilling burgers, you can toast the buns on the grill. Spread butter onto the sliced side of the buns and place them buttered side down onto the grill, away from direct flames. Let them cook for about a minute until the bread is toasted and there are grill marks across the bun.
You can also toast buns in a microwave, but you will need a special microwave crisping pan or sandwich grill. Put the bread in the crisper or grill according to the instructions and microwave for 20-30 seconds at a time until it’s crispy and hot.
Once your buns are toasted, you can assemble your burgers. Top with your favourite additions and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Cover the tray with aluminum foil or use a lightly greased roasting pan or cast-iron pan. Position an oven rack so the top of the pan is about 4 inches below the heating element. Preheat the oven to its highest temperature, usually around 500°F.
You will need ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also add cheese, buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sauces, and other toppings.
Divide the ground beef into 3 or 4 equal portions, depending on your preferred size. Flatten them into discs that are about 4 inches wide and 0.5 inches thick. Make a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up during cooking.
Broil the patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, depending on your desired level of doneness. The USDA recommends cooking ground meat to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the burgers. If they have reached the desired temperature, top each patty with a slice of cheese and place them back under the broiler for 20-25 seconds to melt the cheese.
