Freezer-Ready Mini Burgers
These homemade mini freezer burgers are the perfect kid-friendly lunch idea for summer or back-to-school prep. Made with real ingredients and freezer-ready, they’re a healthier and budget-friendly alternative to store-bought frozen burgers.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
Homemade Mini Freezer Burgers (A Summer Fridge Prep Win!)
Every year, I do a Back to School Prep series, and it’s hands-down one of the most popular things I share. Moms (and dads) are always looking for simple, healthy, realistic ways to stay ahead of the chaos—and I totally get it. But this year, I decided to switch things up and do a Summer Fridge Prep series too. Why? Because between rising grocery costs and the fact that so much of our food is processed junk these days, I wanted to create better, cleaner options that are still just as convenient.
These mini freezer burgers are a total hit in our house. They take just minutes to prep, they’re made with real ingredients (nothing you can’t pronounce!), and they’re a WAY healthier alternative to those mystery-meat frozen burger boxes.
I used 1.5 pounds of ground beef, seasoned it with just a few pantry staples—salt, pepper, onion powder, and mustard (trust me, it adds flavor AND helps bind everything)—then pressed it flat on a sheet pan and baked it. Once it cooled, I used a wide-mouth jar to punch out perfect little patties. They’re adorable, they fit slider buns like a glove, and you can layer on whatever cheese your kiddo loves. I went with cheddar.
To make them freezer-ready, I wrapped each one in parchment paper (this helps prevent sogginess), stacked them in a container, and popped them in the freezer. Done.
I also make a really good burger sauce (coming soon to the blog!), but these are also great on their own or with a little ketchup or ranch on the side. You can even toss them in lunchboxes or take them to the pool as a fun grab-and-go option.
Why You’ll Love These:
Budget-friendly (way cheaper than store-bought!)
No weird ingredients (you know exactly what’s going in your kid’s food)
Perfect for summer AND school lunch
Fast to reheat (less than 2 minutes in the microwave)
And honestly, there’s something so satisfying about knowing your freezer is stocked with real food you made yourself. These little burgers have saved lunch (and even dinner) more times than I can count.
Reheating Tips:
If you’re pulling one from the freezer, just wrap it in a damp paper towel and microwave it. Or toss it in the toaster oven or air fryer while you wrangle kids or pack snacks for the park.
So here’s your sign: skip the frozen aisle. Make a batch of these this week. Your future self will thank you—especially when it’s noon and you’ve got hungry kids swarming like seagulls.
Summer Fridge Prep
You know I do a Back to School Prep series every year—and it’s always a hit. But this year, I wanted to get ahead of the chaos before it even starts. With grocery prices climbing and so much of what’s marketed to families being overly processed or packed with junk, I figured… why not bring that same prep magic to summer?
Enter: the Summer Fridge Prep series.
Easy, real-food meals and snacks you can stash in the fridge or freezer for those busy, snacky, sun-soaked days. Everything is mom-approved, kid-friendly, and way healthier than what you’d find in the frozen aisle.
Whether you’re packing lunches for summer camp, heading to the pool, or just trying to survive another “what’s for lunch?” moment—this series has your back.
make sure you are following along for more!
Freezer-Ready Mini Sliders
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef 85/15 preferred
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3 tbsp yellow mustard
- Slider buns
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Parchment paper for wrapping
Let's Make It
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and mustard. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork the meat.
- Press the beef mixture flat into a small rimmed baking sheet (lined with parchment for easier cleanup).
- Bake on the top rack for about 15–18 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Let the meat cool slightly, then use a wide-mouth jar or biscuit cutter to cut into mini burger patties.
- Layer patties onto slider buns and top each with a slice of cheddar cheese.
- Wrap each burger in parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- Freeze until ready to use.
Reheating Instructions:
- Microwave: Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1–1.5 minutes from frozen.
- Oven/Toaster Oven: Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, wrapped in foil.
- Air Fryer: Air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
(Approx. per mini burger with bun & cheese)
Calories: 280
Protein: 16g
Fat: 17g
Carbs: 17g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
The Best Burger Sauce for Bowls, Burgers, and Fries
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise or greek yogurt nutrition is based using a light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup dill relish
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Let's Make It
- combine all of the ingredients in a small glass bowl or mason jar.
- store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
