How to cook Beyond burger in microwave

To be completely frank, I’m not a fan of Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods — not because the quality of the products is bad, but I’m not fond of the taste of meat, and these products successfully manage to replicate both the taste and visual qualities of real meat. 

Naturally, for people that transition to a vegan diet and have always loved the taste of meat, Beyond Meat burgers might be the best thing ever invented, and that’s why they’re so popular. 

There are three ways in which you can cook Beyond Meat burgers:

  • In an oven
  • On a grill
  • On a skillet

You can also put the burgers in the microwave or air fryer, but those methods aren’t recommended because they don’t bring about the right taste and texture. 

I sincerely believe there are a few things you should do before you attempt to cook these burgers or any other type of burger for that matter. 

How to cook Beyond burger in microwave

Before you place it on the skillet, grill, or oven, you ought to season one side with salt and pepper.

You don’t have to go bananas with the seasoning, as Beyond Meat burgers already come with a fair amount of sodium, which already evokes a salty taste. 

You can also use minced garlic, minced onion, and Worcestershire sauce to amp up the seasoning, but make sure you choose a vegan-friendly option. Another way to confer the burgers with more flavor is to also use chopped fresh herbs, dried herbs like rosemary or oregano, or even citrus zest.

There are various ways in which you can season burgers, but the most important factor comes down to the quality of the product, and we cannot forget that since Beyond Meat is a lab-made product, food scientists have tweaked it to be very flavorful and addictive. 

How To Cook Beyond Meat Burger In Oven

I would say that this is my least preferred way of cooking any plant-based burger, but it’s a good way to do it because it allows for the burgers to be cooked more evenly. 

To cook a Beyond Meat burger in the oven is very simple, really:

  • You preheat the oven at 200ºC (or 400ºF)
  • Place parchment paper on top of the baking tray (to prevent them from sticking to the tray)
  • Put the Beyond Meat burgers on top of the baking tray
  • Cook for 12-15 minutes and remove. Flip them halfway through so they cook more evenly. 

This is a method that I would use if I had to cook more than several burgers, or if for some reason, I’m unable to use the stovetop or don’t have a grill. 

Note: Also one thing to note is that if you’re cooking frozen Beyond Meat burgers, it’s best that you leave ’em in the oven for a couple more minutes, maybe between 16-20 minutes.

How To Cook Beyond Meat Burger On A Skillet Or Grill

I don’t know about you, but before I became vegan, I used to cook meat burgers for myself, even though it’s not something I’m proud of.

With that being said, cooking Beyond Meat burgers on a skillet or grill is pretty much the same thing as cooking regular meat burgers on similar equipment.  

The steps are pretty much the same:

  • Add a drop of olive oil or regular oil to the skillet (this won’t work on a grill, obviously)
  • Preheat the skillet or grill (If you’re using the skillet on a stovetop, set it to medium-high heat)
  • Season the burgers (if you haven’t done so already)
  • Put the burgers/patties on the hot cooking surface
  • Flip them halfway to evenly cook the burgers
  • Aim for an internal temperature of 75ºC or 160ºF.

The end result will also depend on how you prefer your burgers— some people prefer their burgers rare, while others prefer them medium-rare, or well-done. 

Also, you don’t have to use oil or olive oil, but I typically use it to prevent the burger from sticking to the cooking surface, although that also depends on the anti-slip quality of the skillet or grill.

Can You Cook Beyond Burgers Frozen?

Beyond Burgers can certainly be cooked in a frozen state, however, I wouldn’t do it if I were to cook them in a grill or skillet, as it’s hard to obtain a medium-rare degree of doneness. 

If you’re planning to cook your Beyond burgers frozen, I would honestly suggest putting them in the oven and extending the cooking time to about 20 minutes. For me, that is the best way to get evenly cooked burgers without comprising the texture. 

Note: Allow me to point out that if you don’t wish to cook frozen Beyond Burgers, you can always put them on a microwave-safe plate and let them defrost for around one minute each side.

Sometimes, even though they might look cooked on the outside, the internal temperature of the burgers might not be good enough to be served (that temperature is 74℃ or 165℉). 

Can You Eat Raw Beyond Burger?

Yes, I would say that it is possible to eat raw Beyond burgers, however, that is not advisable.

Plant-based burgers do not contain real meat, so Beyond Meat advises you to cook the burgers for a better taste, which could otherwise be disgusting, despite the similarities to meat. 

Curiously, what I’ve said is information that comes disclosed on the packaging. 

Can You Air Fry Beyond Burger?

To be completely honest, this is not something that I would recommend doing — in fact, this is something that Beyond Meat recommends against.

I also wouldn’t do it anyway because the food is not as enjoyable when air-fried, even though it’s a healthier way of cooking, I’ve read. 

With that being said, there are sources that teach you how to do so in a few steps:

  • Preheat the air fryer to 187ºC or 370°F for 5 minutes
  • Add in a parchment liner to help with clean up.
  • Add Beyond Meat burgers and cook for 9 minutes, and don’t forget to flip them halfway.

As I’ve said, this is not something that I do not recommend, so do it at your own peril. 

Can You Reheat Beyond Burgers?

There is no problem in reheating Beyond Burgers, whether it’s on a skillet or microwave.

However, if you can, reheat it on a pan because microwaving causes the burgers to release oil and change texture, making them less of a delicacy.  

In case that’s something you must absolutely do, then just go ahead, as there are no health concerns with microwaving Beyond Burgers as long as the internal temperature is reheated to 74ºC or 165ºF.

Final Thoughts

Cooking Beyond Meat burgers is not that much different than cooking meat burgers, as the methods and use of equipment are pretty much the same.

However, I would be cautious about ensuring that the internal temperature of the burgers is above 60ºC or 170ºF so that you’re actually eating properly cooked food. 

Other than that, I would say that anything else is game-on— even using sauces! 

Can you microwave a frozen Beyond Burger?

Beyond burgers can be defrosted in a few different ways to ensure you retain the shape and avoid it turning mushy. You can thaw the patties on the countertop for 30-60 minutes, in the fridge for 6-8 hours, or overnight. You can also use the microwave at 30-second intervals until it is defrosted.

How should a Beyond Burger be cooked?

Contains no peanuts or tree nuts. Heat a barbecue to high heat and grill Beyond Burger® for at least 3.5-4 minutes per side. Heat pan to medium-high heat and cook Beyond Burger® thoroughly, for at least 3.5-4 minutes per side.

How do you cook Beyond Burgers from frozen patties?

You'll need to cook them longer than refrigerated Beyond Burgers. I cook frozen Beyond Burgers in the air fryer at 360°F for 6 minutes then flip them over and cook another 5-6 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

How do you cook Beyond Burgers without thawing?

Can You Air Fry Beyond Burger Patties From Frozen? Yes, frozen beyond meat patties can be cooked pulled straight from the freezer. These plant based patties are usually sold as frozen and you just need to unwrap them and start air frying. If you want to thaw them first then air frying time will be slightly less.