Meal prepping burger patties is a simple way to make dinners that fit your calorie and macro goals. Start by deciding how much ground beef you want per meal. For my current goals, I use 7 ounces of ground beef per dinner.
Rather than making one large burger, I divide that portion into two 3.5-ounce patties. Smaller patties are easier to shape, cook evenly, and eat.
What You’ll Need
- Ground beef
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Montreal steak seasoning
- Burger mold or patty press
- Food scale
- Mixing bowl
- Sheet pan
- Meat thermometer
- Meal-prep containers
How to Make the Patties
I use a Traeger grill, but this method also works with a standard grill, skillet, or oven.
First, turn on your grill and allow it to preheat. I begin with the smoke setting, then set the grill to 350°F while I prepare the burgers.
Place the ground beef in a mixing bowl and add your seasonings. Mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Next, place your burger mold on the food scale and zero the scale. Add 3.5 ounces of ground beef, then press it into a patty. Transfer the patty to a sheet pan and repeat.
For five dinners, I make 10 patties total. Each meal includes two patties, which equals my 7-ounce ground-beef portion.
Cook and Store
Once the grill reaches 350°F, place the patties on the grill. Mine typically take about 20 minutes to cook, but use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached your preferred doneness.
When the burgers are finished cooking, transfer them to your meal-prep containers. I place two patties in each container for one complete dinner portion.
Let the burgers cool for 5–10 minutes before placing the lids on the containers and storing them in the refrigerator. When it is time to eat, you have a quick, protein-packed meal ready to go.
Questions to Ask Before Meal Prepping
- How much ground beef do you want in each meal?
- Would splitting your portion into multiple patties make it easier to cook and eat?
- How many meals do you want to prepare at one time?
- What seasonings will help you enjoy eating the same meal throughout the week?