How To Cook A Burger In The Microwave

Nothing reminds me of the Fourth of July like a delicious burger. There's just something about the gooey cheese, oozing ketchup, and charcoal grilled taste that screams, "America!" So, it comes as no surprise that the Fourth of July is the number one most popular grilling holiday amongst Americans. But, even if you don't have access to a grill, you can still achieve all of that barbecue goodness — you just need to learn how to cook a burger in the microwave.

I love grilling just as much as the next person. Burgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken... you name it, and I've probably already grilled it this summer. But, I know that I can't be alone in thinking that firing up the grill can be a lot of work sometimes. There are times when I just don't feel like partaking in that large, outdoor cooking production — especially if it's raining. So, what am I supposed to do if I'm craving a fresh burger, but can't bring myself to head outside and start grilling? It's a dilemma.

To find a remedy for the issue, I enlisted the help of my fiancé — who also happens to be the master griller in our household — to see if there was a way that we could cook a burger in the microwave. Admittedly, we weren't that excited to give it a try. It just sounds like a disgusting idea, doesn't it? But, it really didn't turn out too bad. Plus, it was surprisingly simple!

So, without further adieu, here's the ultimate lazy guide to this Fourth of July cuisine staple. If you're ever in a pinch, it turns out you actually can cook a burger in the microwave!

1. Form ground beef into 4 to 5 inch diameter patties, and then cut a 3/4 inch hole in the center.

You basically need to form little meat donuts. We simply used a knife to slice and scoop out the center part of the beef.

2. Salt and pepper the patty to taste.

3. Place the patty on a microwave-safe dish, and cover with a slice of wax paper.

Some of the instructions we read suggested using a trivet or colander on top of a microwave-safe dish, and now I see why. When microwaving the burger, you're going to be dealing with a lot of grease, so a trivet definitely would've been helpful. Live and learn!

4. Microwave on high for 40 seconds per patty. Then, flip the patty over and repeat on the other side.

5. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the temperature of the patty is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember that beef needs to reach a temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be considered safe to eat. So, don't jump the gun just because you're eager to chow down on your burger. Make sure it's safe first!

6. Remove the patty from the microwave and place on a bun.

In retrospect, I wish we would've made our patties a little larger, so that they filled up more of the bun. But, I was still pleasantly surprised when this came out of the microwave. It looked — and smelled — just like a real burger!

7. Add your desired fixings, and enjoy!

How did it taste?

I was prepared for this to be incredibly disgusting, but it surprisingly wasn't all that bad! It's definitely not as fresh as cooking a burger on the grill, and the texture is a little chewier. If you've ever used the microwave to reheat a burger that you made on the grill, this tastes essentially the same. In short, I still prefer grilling. But, this is a worthy alternative if you're stuck!

Images: Daniel Carlbom/Flickr; Kat Kuehl (6); Giphy