Hamburgers are these insanely delicious treats that we never seem to get tired of ordering at our favorite fast-food restaurant. However, have you ever tried a microwave burger?
If not, I don’t quite understand how you’ve managed to miss the natty discovery which is the microwave burger. It is an easy meal to whip up for those lazy late nights when you’re craving a burger and can’t bring yourself to head out to buy one.
Here is how to cook hamburger in microwave.
All you need is hamburger buns, ground beef, toppings and seasoning spices. Form the ground beef into doughnut -shaped patties, then season the patties with the spices of your choice.
Put the patties in the microwave dish and cover with wax paper and cook them while constantly flipping for 12 minutes. It will be ready when the internal meat thermometer reads 167 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast the buns on both sides then take the patties and place them in the middle of the sliced bun, add your preferred toppings.
Don’t sweat it though. I will walk you through the steps of how to cook a hamburger in a microwave, and I will definitely answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to cooking burgers in the microwave.
You might be curious what really is a hamburger?
A hamburger, famously known as a burger is a type of food consisting of fillings mostly a patty of doughnut-shaped beef and an assortment of toppings placed inside a sliced bun.
So, with no more delay, here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook this delicious treat using a microwave.
Ingredients
- ¼ Kg ground beef
- Hamburger buns
- Salt
- Pepper
- Wax paper Meat thermometer
- Microwave dish
- Cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
Step by step process on how to cook hamburger in microwave
Step 1: Unwrap the ground beef and put it in a container
Make sure that you get lean ground beef with at least 20% fat. The more fat it has, the moisture it will retain. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper to add flavor. Then using your hands, make the mixture together.
Step 2: Make doughnut shapes using the ground beef mixture
Using the ground beef mixture, make doughnut-shaped patties and put them in a microwave-safe glass container. Glass containers are preferred because they can withstand grease.
Then using a knife, make holes in the center of the patties by scooping out some of the beef. This will make the patties cook evenly.
Finally, cover the glass container using wax paper.
Step 3: Put the patties in the microwave
Put the patties in the microwave and set the timer at 6 minutes on high power. Then, flip them over and let them heat for another 6 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the patty is at least 167-degrees Fahrenheit. That means it is thoroughly cooked.
Step 4: Toast the bun and add toppings
Use a toaster to brown both sides of the bun. It gives it that crisp look. Then place the patties on top of the bun and add your cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.
If you want the burger to meld together, you can put it back into the microwave for 20 seconds.
All that’s left is for you to delve into your microwave-cooked burger. Enjoy!
Hacks To a Perfect Microwave Hamburger
- Make doughnut shapes with holes in the middle: This will ensure that the burger is thoroughly and evenly cooked. It also helps with draining the grease.
- Use ground beef with at least 25% fat: The fat will ensure that the burger doesn’t dry out but remains moist.
- Too much fatty meat will shrink: When you use beef with too much fat, it will make a burger that started out thick shrink when cooked.
- Lean beef is usually not the best tasting and it dries out the burger.
- Avoid cooking your burgers to rare or medium: You will put yourself at risk of foodborne diseases.
- Always check if the meat is cooked by using a meat thermometer: For meat to be fully cooked, its internal temperature must be at least 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I keep my burgers moist?
The easiest trick is buying ground beef that has at least 25% fat content. Having a bit of fat will help in keeping the meat moist. But if you are worried that your meat might dry out, sprinkle a mixture of water and olive oil on the ground beef.
How long does a hamburger take to cook?
It actually depends on how you prefer your burger cooked. If rare, cook for 5 minutes to a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, if medium, cook for 7-8 minutes to a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, for well-done burgers, cook for a total of 11-12 minutes to a temperature of 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you microwave raw hamburger patty?
Place the raw hamburger patties in a microwave-friendly container and cover it with wax paper. Next, put it in the microwave and set the power on medium and the timer at 6 minutes. After the 6 minutes, turn each patty over and cook for another 6 minutes.
How long do you cook frozen hamburger patties in the microwave?
For frozen patty, microwave on high power for 70-80 seconds or until it is fully hot. For refrigerated patty, microwave on high for 35-40 seconds.
Why are my burgers dry?
Meat that’s too lean usually tends to dry out easily. Not only that, but it lacks flavor and texture. A 75% percent meat to 25% fat ratio is recommended in order for the fat to add a bit of taste and flavor to your burger.
Can you cook raw hamburgers in the microwave?
Yes, you can cook raw hamburgers in the microwave. They will come out as delicious as using any other conventional method to cook and it’s less messy as compared to cooking on a stove or grill.
Why does my burger shrink after cooking?
Meats that are too lean have no moisture in them. You can add a bit of water to them for added moisture. Also cooking your burger at high temperatures tends to dry it out more.
What makes a burger juicy?
The ideal beef-to-fat ratio is responsible for a delicious -looking juicy burger. You need just enough fat to give your burger the juice it needs. The recommended ratio is 75% meat to 25% fat.
Are microwave burgers bad for you?
Absolutely not! Microwave burgers are not bad, in fact, they are considered healthier than the burgers we buy from the fast -food restaurants because you cooked it yourself and you know the ingredients in it.
Faqs on Making Hamburger in Microwave
1. Can You Cook Frozen Hamburger Patties in the Microwave?
Yes, you set your microwave to defrost setting for defrosting hamburgers or ground beef. Then you have to cook your burger immediately after defrosting.
2. How do you cook beef burgers in the microwave?
Microwave the beef burgers on medium power for 6 minutes then flip them over and microwave for another 6 minutes. The timing depends on the size of your burger and how much you want it to be cooked.
3. How do I cook ground beef without a stove?
You can use a microwave in place of a stove. Put the ground beef in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with wax paper. Let it cook for 40 minutes on high power then remove it and break the meat using a fork. Return it back and cook for another 30 minutes. Remove it again and check if it’s all brown. It shouldn’t have any pinker remaining.
Conclusion
There you have it! How to cook a microwave beef hamburger. It’s simple and easy to make. What’s even better is that it doesn’t take a lot of time. Just remember to always use the right temperatures and time settings for your burger to come out evenly cooked. For a more perfect burger, avoid using leaner meats because they don’t have any fat on them thus will make your burger dry out.
