Burgers are a fan favorite and we’re definitely along for the ride ! They can be so very simple yet delicious, or very complex and bring a fresh spin on a classic. No matter what kind of burger you’re having today, you may end up with some leftovers. So what do you do with them ?
Can you reheat burgers ? What about the buns ? And what if they’re fast food burgers, do they reheat better or worse than home-made ones ? Is there anything special you need to know before reheating burgers ? Let’s take a look !
Can you reheat burgers ?
Yes, you can easily reheat burgers, though you may compromise a little on the texture and doneness of said burgers. Even so, you can end up with juicy burgers once again. The key is to use a medium-low heat, and no oil whatsoever. Your burgers may end up a little more doe than you’d like them.
There are quite a few methods to reheat leftover burgers, and we’ve explained them below. We’re assuming you’ve left the burgers in the fridge overnight, so the first step for all of these is to take the burger out and let it come up to room temperature (about 20 mins)
1. Reheat in a non-stick pan
The first and possibly easiest method involved either a non-stick frying pan, or a seasoned cast iron pan. Even a griddle would work well here. The point is to make sure to use something that won’t make the meat stick onto the pan, without adding any oil.
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Make sure the pan is hot but on a medium flame when you place the burgers in. You need about 3 minutes on each side. If your burgers come with some cheese and veggies on them already, this is not the method to use.
2. Reheat in an air fryer or toaster oven
If you’d rather use a method that provides an even heating, try an air fryer or toaster oven. You can use the large oven too, though heating it just for a burger seems a bit much. Unless you have several burgers to reheat.
In any case, the oven, toaster oven, and air fryer will take a bit longer than the frying pan and may dry out the meat a little. It could be a 10-15 minute wait, depending on how hot you want the burgers. Again, be sure to use medium-low heat. This method isn’t suitable for burgers with cheese and veggies stuck to them.
3. Reheat burgers in a microwave on medium-low
If a microwave is more your style, then go right ahead. This is the best method for a burger that was assembled the day before and still has the cheese and veggies on. If you were to use the other two methods, you’d get a really bad texture on the cheese and veggies.
Make sure the burgers are wrapped in something microwave safe, or they’re on a plate and have a bowl on top, to help steam them and trap moisture. This method also means the burgers may end up soggy. But, it’s the fastest and you can end up with hot burgers in 2 minutes !
4. Get a barbecue going for those burgers
If you have the time for it, or were planning a barbecue anyway, then reheating those burgers on a grill is a great way to bring heat and flavor back. You’re likely to end up with burgers that are dried out, so make sure you’re okay with the idea before attempting this. or, leave them on the grill for about a minute on each side, tops.
Be sure to toast the burger buns a little as well
Whatever method you decide to use, make sure to heat up the buns as well ! Whether they’re in a pan and lightly toasted, or they’re on the grill for a few seconds to get a nice flavor and texture, the buns matter. After all, if they’re leftover burgers it’s likely the juices seeped into the buns and they’re not cold and moist. No one likes that.
So throw those buns on something to crisp them up a little, just a little.
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Can you reheat fast food burgers ?
Yes, you can reheat fast food burgers almost as easily as home-made ones. The difference is these are likely already assembled, and may even be in their wrappers.
Make sure you take them apart, and first heat up the meat on a small plate, with a microwave-safe bowl on top. Once the meat is almost done heating, add the buns for another 30 seconds so they get a chance to warm up as well. Only use medium heat ! The whole process should be done in about 3 minutes.
If you want to reheat the fast food burgers in something other than the microwave, you will get poor results. You have veggies, cheese, and sauce stuck to the meat. Those won’t take well to a hot pan, or hot, dry air. NO, these need a quick zap in the microwave.
How long is leftover hamburger good for ?
If your hamburgers are more than a day old, you may be wondering how long you can store them. Well, already cooked burgers are good for about 3 days from the day they’re cooked. This is as long as you keep them in the fridge, with the meat separate from the bread.
If you keep the buns right there with the meat, all the juices will seep into the buns. This will lead to wet, cold burger buns that will just be soggy when you heat them up. So, keep the buns separate from the meat. In fact, it may be even better to throw away the buns if you know you’re not eating the burger anytime soon.
How do you store leftover burgers ?
We recommend storing leftover burgers in the fridge, in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. Make sure to keep the meat separate from the buns if you’re not going to eat within a few hours. Otherwise you get a soggy, cold bun that will not taste right when reheated.
Can you freeze leftover burgers ?
You can freeze burgers, but you still need to separate the burger patty from the buns. This is because the patties and the other toppings have a lot of moisture, which will seep into the buns when they thaw, if you leave the burger whole.
So it’s better to keep the burger patties separate from the buns, and wrap both in plastic wrap tightly. Then place both of them in a freezer-safe airtight container. This way you can reassemble the burger without getting a soggy mess.
In all honesty, it’s not really worth freezing burgers. They’re not very expensive, and they’re one of those foods that are so much better when freshly made. Not to say you can’t freeze them, you can ! It just might not be worth the effort.
Can you eat burgers cold the next day ?
You can eat the burgers cold the next day if you don’t mid the texture. They’re not as good as cold pizza, and the cheese (if any) will not be melty. Really, cold burgers are not that good but they’re definitely edible.
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How do you moisten a burger ?
Add a little mayo and/or ketchup. A bit of sauce goes a long way, especially for a burger that’s dried out. Whether you need to moisten a burger patty, the buns, or all of it, sauce is your best friend.
And mayo seems to be the best sauce for this job, since it’s a fatty, slippery sauce compared to mustard or ketchup.
If you’re trying to bring the whole burger back to life, you may want to microwave it. Be sure to use a plate and a microwave-safe bowl. This way moisture is trapped in that small chamber and the steam will help your burger stay moist.
And that’s pretty much it for reheating burgers. You can reheat them in more ways than one, with some working better for fast food burgers. In any case, be sure to keep the burger patty separate from the burger buns, and to crisp up the buns a little as well.
