There's nothing quite like biting into a burger. Whether its fresh off the grill or fried in a pan, a piping hot patty with all the fixings is comfort food at its finest. And when it comes to cookout season, it's hard not to make as many as you can! You've gotta enjoy those backyard barbecues while you can, right?
But trying out all those homemade burgers inevitably leads to leftovers and you certainly don't want them to go to waste! That's why you should know how to reheat a burger to keep it tasting as juicy and delicious as possible. Well, the first step is to disassemble them: Scrape off the sauces, set the bun aside to re-toast, and assess whether you should replace the veggies with crisper versions.
Next, reheat the patty and assemble the burger back together. But how do you reheat burgers without drying them out? Well, it's definitely not the microwave. That will just make them tough. Try these three easy ways to reheat a burger patty instead! They'll retain way more of their original texture than nuking them.
How to Reheat a Burger in the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating up, let the patties sit out at room temperature to warm up a bit. Place a wire rack on a sheet pan and place the patties on top. If you don't have a rack, line the pan with aluminum foil.
Reheat the burgers for seven to ten minutes, flipping halfway through, until the center registers 165 degrees on a meat thermometer. (Sorry, the only time you can pick your ideal burger doneness is when it's cooked the first time.) If you want to add cheese (or more cheese if the patty already has some from the first go-round), do so in the last minute or two.
If you want to reheat your bun, you can also add them cut side up to the same sheet pan and toast them at the same time the burgers are heating up. You can also replicate this whole process in the toaster oven, too!
How to Reheat a Burger in the Air Fryer
While an air fryer might be a little too aggressive with buns and cheese, it is quick and effective with patties. Set your air fryer to 350 degrees, place the patty in the basket, and cook for two to four minutes. Now, depending on your model, you may be able to also reheat the bun and cheese but you have to watch them closely. They can be quick to burn.
How to Reheat a Burger on the Stove
Heat up an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patty in the pan along with about two tablespoons of water. Cover the pan and let the burger cook for a few minutes on each side, flipping halfway through. The water plus the cover will create enough steam to keep the patties moist.
Once you remove the patties from the pan, the water should have evaporated already. It's at this point you can reheat your buns in the same pan to warm and crisp them up. Regardless of which method you decide, you can assemble (or reassemble) your burgers immediately and eat. They won't stay hot for long!
