Beef patties are a backyard grilling staple and the star of many a burger night. But with so many patty options at the grocery store, it can be confusing to know which size to buy. Whether cooking for a family or a crowd, you want patties that will cook evenly, fit the buns, and provide the right portion. So how much does the average beef burger patty weigh? Let’s take a closer look at common sizes and weights.
Overview of Beef Patty Sizes
Beef patties come in a range of sizes, from small slider patties up to 1/2 pound monster patties. Some key sizes include
- Sliders: Around 2 ounces each
- Regular: 3-4 ounces
- Quarter Pounders: 4 ounces each
- Third Pounders: Around 5 ounces
- Half Pounders: 8 ounces each
In most cases 4 ounces (a quarter pound) is considered the standard burger patty weight for an average-sized single burger. But you can adjust up or down depending on appetite and the buns you’re using.
Popular Restaurant Patty Weights
To get a better sense of common patty weights, here are some examples from popular restaurants:
- McDonald’s: Regular burgers use a 3.2 ounce patty
- Burger King: The Whopper uses a 4 ounce patty
- In-N-Out: Their Double-Double burger has two 2 ounce patties
- Steak ‘N Shake: Their 7×7 Steakburger stacks 7 patties at 2 ounces each
- Fuddruckers: Offers patty sizes from 5 ounces up to 1/2 pound
As you can see, even major chains use patty weights ranging from 2 ounces up to 8 ounces. The exact weight depends on the type of burger and desired portion size.
Average Weights by Patty Type
Beyond specific restaurants, here are some general patty weight ranges by patty name and style:
- Sliders: 2 ounces
- Regular patties: 3-4 ounces
- Quarter pounders: 4 ounces
- Third pounders: 5 ounces
- Half pounders: 8 ounces
- Mini patties: 2-3 ounces
- Large or mega patties: 6-8 ounces
If a patty is simply labeled as “burger patties,” they’ll likely be in the 3-4 ounce range. Steakhouse burgers may use 6-8 ounce patties. Fast food often uses thinner 2-3 ounce patties.
Common Dimensions Based on Weight
In addition to weight, the dimensions of a patty also vary based on the desired size. Heavier patties need to be wider and thicker to reach the target weight. Some typical dimensions:
- 2 ounce: 3-inch diameter, 1⁄4 inch thick
- 3 ounce: 31⁄2-inch diameter, 1⁄3 inch thick
- 4 ounce: 4-inch diameter, 1⁄2 inch thick
- 6 ounce: 41⁄2-inch diameter, 3⁄4 inch thick
- 8 ounce: 5-inch diameter, 1 inch thick
As a rule of thumb, add about 1⁄2 inch diameter and 1⁄8 inch thickness for every 1 to 2 ounces added. The greater the weight, the wider and thicker the patty will need to be.
How Patty Weight Affects Cook Time
An important consideration with patty weight is cook time. Thicker, heavier patties take longer to cook through.
Here are some estimated grill times based on weight:
- 2 ounce: 2-3 minutes per side
- 4 ounce: 4-5 minutes per side
- 6 ounce: 6-7 minutes per side
- 8 ounce: 8-10 minutes per side
Be sure to use an instant read thermometer to confirm patties reach 160°F internally regardless of time. But in general, allow a couple more minutes per side for each additional ounce.
Ideal Patty Weight for Buns
Choosing the right patty weight comes down to the type of buns you’ll use. The patty-to-bun ratio should be balanced. Here are suggested weights for common bun sizes:
- Slider buns: 2 ounce patties
- Regular buns (4″): 3-4 ounce patties
- Jumbo buns (5″): 6-8 ounce patties
- Brioche buns: 4-6 ounce patties
- Pretzel buns: 4-6 ounce patties
Measure your buns to determine the optimal patty weight that will provide full coverage without overhang. Beyond burger buns, adjust patties as needed for sandwiches, tacos, pizza, etc.
Helpful Weight Conversion Tips
- 1⁄4 pound = 4 ounces
- 1⁄3 pound = 5.3 ounces
- 3⁄4 pound = 12 ounces
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
Knowing these handy conversions can help quickly decipher patty weights. Multiply any fraction by 16 to determine the ounces.
Best Practices for Portioning Meat
When purchasing and portioning ground beef for patties yourself, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a food scale for accuracy
- Portion into resealable bags
- Form thinner patties and smash while cooking
- Make indent in center to prevent puffing
- Try round or square patties for even cooking
- Add just a pinch of salt and pepper before cooking
With the right tools and techniques, you can easily customize patties to any weight.
How much do McDonald’s Burger Patties Weigh?
FAQ
How much does a beef patty weigh in grams?
How many Oz is a regular beef patty?
Is a 4 oz burger big?
What is a normal size hamburger patty?
How much does a beef patty weigh?
The standard weight of a beef patty is a quarter pounder or 4 ounces. This is the ideal size to work with a regular-sized burger bun, creating an ideal ratio of meat to bread that works for most people. A quarter pounder patty has an optimal depth which allows for the perfect cooking time in terms of texture.
How much does a burger patty weigh?
Classic burgers usually range from a quarter pound (4 ounces) to 6 ounces. A quarter-pounder patty typically weighs 113 grams or 4 ounces before cooking. This size of patty is the gold standard for burgers, as it creates an ideal ratio of meat to bread that works for most people.
What size burger patty should I buy?
A quarter pounder patty is the gold standard of burgers and weighs 4 ounces. This is the best size of patty to work with a regular-sized burger bun, creating an ideal ratio of meat to bread that works for most people. If you prefer a bigger burger, you can go for a 6-ounce patty.
What is a 6 ounce burger patty?
That’s because the size of the burger is not equivalent to the size of a single burger patty. There are actually only 5 “common” patty sizes: 2 ounces, 3 ounces, 4 ounces (quarter pound), 5 ounces, and 6 ounces. Now, if people refer to a 6-ounce burger, it could mean that it has one 6-ounce burger patty.