How to cook frozen veggie burgers in the oven

Making a great veggie burger is not an easy thing to do. Wait. Strike that. Because while that sentiment used to have some merit, Chris Morocco's new crisp-on-the-outside, moist-(yes-moist)-on-the-inside chickpea-mushroom burger is shockingly easy to make, and also shockingly easy to fit into your busy schedule. That's right: The best way to make these vegan (no eggs!), gluten-free (no breadcrumbs!) burgers is in a big batch. Stick them in the freezer, grab them whenever, and cook them straight from frozen. It's just as convenient as serving your favorite store-bought brand, but tastier.

Making really delicious homemade veggie burgers, says Chris, is all about moisture control. So to start, you'll drain your two cans of chickpeas and briefly cook 'em in a pan on the stovetop to rid them of excess moisture. Added bonus: getting them browned adds extra flavor, too.

Since you're keeping moisture down, you're free to add other wet things that enhance the overall taste of the burger patties: namely, miso paste and tahini, both of which also help to bind the burgers together without any eggs. Chris uses a touch of flour, too, but oat flour works well if you're aiming to keep these gluten-free. (And yes, you can just blitz rolled oats in your blender/food processor/spice grinder and turn them into oat flour. It's easy, I promise!)

Taste Test: Plant-Based Burgers

Chopped mushrooms go into the mix to add some texture—what Chris calls "bounce." But he also recognizes that not everyone is a mushroom person. If you are one of these not-a-mushroom-persons, he suggests grabbing a yellow summer squash or zucchini, grating it, salting it, squeezing the excess moisture from it, and folding that into the mix instead. No other changes needed.

To deepen the flavor of the burgers, Chris reaches for garlic powder and smoked paprika, which adds a bit of that smoky, fresh-off-the-grill essence we all love in a burger.

Finally, you stir in what is perhaps the most essential ingredient: cooked quinoa. While it's folded throughout the mix, what it does to the outside of the burger while it cooks is nothing short of remarkable. The quinoa causes the burger to get so crusty-delicious on the outside—like the best smash burger you've ever had. You'll firm them in the freezer for a couple of hours—or you can leave them there for up to three months.

Chris says you'll get great browning if you cook the patty in a skillet on the stovetop (and you don't need to freeze them at all if that's your plan). But he also says he really prefers the cooking method suggested in the recipe: Just oil your frozen patties and place them on a sheet pan in the oven. When your veggie burgers are hidden away, you won't be tempted to fuss with or flip them too much.

Sitting on a bun isn't all a veggie burger can do, keep scrolling down for the deets on how to make veggie burgers do double duty.

From frozen, the burgers take about 30 minutes to cook in the oven. From there you can pile them on a bun with any of your favorite creamy or crunchy burger toppings, or you can do like David Tamarkin did on January 21, 2020, during COOK90, and break the patties up into a stir-fry. Or you can do like I did a few weeks ago and cook two patties on one side of a sheet pan with shredded cabbage and onions on the other side, break up the patties half way through to encourage more crispy edges, and then toss the whole thing together for a sublimely good hash (smoky yogurt optional).

Whichever way you dice it—or don't—this is bound to be the best frozen veggie burger you've ever had.

Skip the drive through and make your own amazing, flavorful burgers piping hot straight from the oven. Cooking frozen hamburger patties is the perfect to feed a crowd or an easy. weeknight meal!

Next time try this recipe for super easy juicy grilled turkey burgers!

• Why you'll love this recipe   
• Ingredients
• Instructions 
• Equipment
• FAQ's
• Tips
• Variations
• Storage
• Related recipes
• Serve with
• How to Cook Frozen Hamburger Patties in the Oven

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️ No grill? No problem! Make tasty burgers right from your oven.

✔️ Skip the drive-through will save you money too!

✔️ No more getting the order wrong when you make your own, love that!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• frozen hamburger patties
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• melty American cheese - Monterey Jack and pepper jack are fantastic on a burger. Provolone or smoked gouda would be amazing as well.
• for this I just used plain, old fashioned burger buns because it fit the size of frozen hamburgers perfectly!

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete detailed instructions scroll down to the bottom!

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Spray baking rack with nonstick coating.
2. Remove your frozen burger patties from the plastic packaging.
3. Spritz with cooking spray, sprinkle with seasoning. Place frozen patties on metal wire rack.
4. Place rack in oven for 20 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking, season side two, return to oven.
5. Top with cheese for the last two minutes of cooking.

Equipment

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• cookie sheet
• aluminum foil
• metal wire rack
• metal spatula

FAQ's

How long is frozen hamburger good for?

Frozen ground beef patties should be used within 4 months.

Can you cook burgers straight from frozen?

Yes, in fact you do not want the burgers to thaw. Bake them straight from the freezer.

How do you season frozen hamburger patties?

You can add flavor to frozen hamburger with simple seasonings like salt and pepper, season-all or Montreal steak seasoning.

Can you grill frozen hamburger patties

Yes, a gas grill is the best option when grilling frozen burgers, because it cooks more evenly. You can use a charcoal grill, but test the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer to make sure it's 160 degrees.

Can they be cooked in a frying pan?

Yes but the texture is better when cooked in the oven.

How long does it take to cook burgers from frozen?

It takes about 20 minutes to cook burgers from frozen.

Do you have to flip the burgers?

For a better-tasting burger, flipping it improves the texture.

Tips

• If the burgers are frozen together, use a metal spatula to split the patties apart.
• For the best texture, flip the frozen patty halfway through baking to ensure both sides cook evenly.
• Line the baking sheet, it will make clean up a ton easier!
• If you want to add cheese, do it during the last minute of cooking for a gooey, melted cheese topping.
• The cooking spray on the outside of the patties is to help the seasonings stick to your meat patties so don't skip this part.
• I've found the best way to reheat the burgers is in the skillet with a little water to help keep them moist.
• Serve on a bun with your favorite toppings! Lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles are always a great start. Try adding avocado, bacon or jalapeno peppers for extra flavor.

Pro Tip: do not allow the burgers to thaw! They are put in the oven frozen.

Variations

• Hatch green chiles would be amazing sandwiched between a couple of patties!
• Slices of crispy bacon? YUM! It does make everything better!
• Add a smear of your favorite sauce, like BBQ sauce, ranch dressing or salsa.
• Don't have any hamburger buns? Try wrapping your juicy burger in a large piece of lettuce for a fun and easy way to eat your burger.

Storage

Refrigeration: Cooked burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Freeze: You can also freeze them for up to three months. Let the burgers thaw before reheating.

Reheating: To reheat, cook in a skillet over medium-high heat until heated through.

Related recipes

I do love a great sandwich and there are several on the blog!

• Air Fryer Burgers - all the flavor without lightening up the grill.
• Turkey Burgers get a bad wrap, but let me tell you, the flavor of this burger is incredible, so moist and tender. Be sure to try it and tell me what you think!
• Easy to make this Roast Beef Rollups Recipe is a great make ahead sandwich!
• This BBQ Tri Tip Recipe makes juicy, tender steak every time!
• This recipe for a Kimchi Burger uses a combination of beef and pork. It's topped with a big helping of kimchi and melty cheese. This recipe works, let me tell you!
• Prefer Veggie Burgers? Gotcha covered there as well with these super yummy Nut Burgers. Enjoy!

Serve with

• Every burger tastes better topped with this Smashburger Sauce Recipe!
• I know this is "technically" a smoothie .... but what really is a smoothie? It's a milkshake! Or make a Banana Milkshake - epic, let me tell you!
• Crescent Roll Hot Dog Recipe, better known as Pigs in a blanket - hamburgs and hotdogs are the best!
• Every great burger needs a yummy side - hands down my favorite has always been Mom's recipe for Deviled Egg Potato Salad!
• Prefer pasta salad? Then be sure to serve the BEST Macaroni Pasta Salad. Everyone will have a second helping!
• Sweet Potato Wedges or Sweet Potato French Fries dipped in campfire sauce? YUM!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

5 from 5 votes

How to Cook Frozen Hamburger Patties in the Oven

Easy to make delicious burgers that are better than your favorite restaurant!

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

cheese melting2 mins

Total Time27 mins

Course: Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 430kcal

Author: Deb Clark

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

• ▢6 frozen hamburger patties
• ▢1 ½ teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
• ▢6 slices American cheese
• ▢6 burger buns
• ▢Your favorite fixings - burger buns, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Spray baking rack with nonstick coating.

• Remove your frozen burger patties from the plastic packaging.

• Using a metal spatula, split the patties apart from each other.

• Place on burgers on metal cooking rack. Spritz with cooking spray. Season with Montreal steak seasoning.

• Place in oven for 20 minutes. Flipping patties halfway through cooking time, season side two. Return to oven.

  How do you cook veggie burgers in the oven?

  Gluten-free Test Kitchen: Best Way to Cook Veggie Burgers.

  Oven-baked (350°F, parchment lined baking sheet, 15 minutes one side, flip, then an additional 7 minutes).

  Pan fried in a non-stick pan (medium-low heat, little bit of oil in the pan, 3 – 5 minutes per side).

  Can you cook frozen burgers in the oven?

  How long do you cook frozen burgers in the oven? Frozen burgers need to be cooked at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes. Cook time, of course, will depend on your oven and the exact thickness of your burger patties. Just make sure burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

  What is the best way to cook veggie burgers?

  The best way to cook veggie burgers is to sear them in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. These patties hold together nicely, but they aren't as dense as a classic beef patty, so turn them gently to help them hold their burger shape. Are veggie burgers healthy?

  How do you make frozen veggie burgers crispy?

  Air fry a frozen Beyond Burger for 12 minutes total, flipping once halfway. What is the best way to cook frozen veggie burgers? The best way to cook frozen veggie burgers is in the air fryer, as the circulating hot air cooks them evenly while creating a nice, crispy texture on the outside.