How to Reheat In-N-Out Burger

The best way to reheat an In-N-Out burger is to separate the hot and cold ingredients: remove the lettuce, tomato and spread, reheat the patty, lightly toast or refresh the bun, then reassemble the burger with the cold toppings. This helps keep the thin patty hot without turning the vegetables limp or the bun soggy. Because an In-N-Out burger combines a thin cooked beef patty and toasted bun with cold lettuce, tomato and spread, reheating the components separately usually gives the best texture. Below are methods for burgers and fries, plus tips for ordering ahead when you know you'll be saving the meal for later.

Quick answer: For the best result, remove the cold toppings and spread, warm the patty in a skillet or air fryer, lightly toast the bun separately, and reassemble with fresh or chilled toppings. For fries, use an air fryer first or an oven if an air fryer isn't available.

Food safety: Refrigerate cooked leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Keep leftovers refrigerated at 40°F or below and generally use them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F. If a burger has been left out longer than the recommended limit, discard it rather than saving it for later.

Best Ways to Reheat an In-N-Out Burger

Times are approximate. Appliance performance and portion size vary; for food safety, reheat leftovers to 165°F internally.

Oven or Toaster Oven

Reheating Whole Burger

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Remove lettuce, tomato and spread when possible. Reheat the patty separately and warm or toast the bun briefly so it does not steam inside foil.
3. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the patty reaches 165°F internally.

Reheating Burger Patty

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350°F.
2. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the patty reaches 165°F internally.
3. If adding cheese, do so in the last 1 to 2 minutes of cook time.
4. Reassemble with condiments.

Air Fryer

Reheating Whole Burger

1. Preheat air fryer to 350–375°F and start checking early because air fryer models vary.
2. Remove lettuce, tomato and spread when possible. Reheat the patty separately and warm or toast the bun briefly so it does not steam inside foil.
3. Bake for 5-10 minutes or until the patty reaches 165°F internally.

Reheating Burger Patty

1. Preheat air fryer to 350–375°F and start checking early because air fryer models vary.
2. Bake for 2-4 minutes or until the patty reaches 165°F internally.
3. If adding cheese, do so in the last 1 to 2 minutes of cook time.
4. Reassemble with condiments.

Skillet or Griddle — Best Overall Method

Reheating Burger Patty

1. Preheat the skillet or griddle over medium to medium-low heat and add a small amount of butter or oil if needed.
2. Lay the burger on the heated surface and cook for a few minutes on each side. Add any cheese once flipped and cook until the patty reaches 165°F internally and the cheese has melted.
3. Reassemble with condiments.

Grill

Reheating Burger Patty

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high and carefully position the burger on the grates.
2. Grill for a few minutes on each side. Add any cheese once flipped and cook until the patty reaches 165°F internally and the cheese has melted.
3. Reassemble with condiments.

Microwave

While microwaving an In-N-Out Burger may not yield optimal flavor and texture, if you're pressed for time or don't have access to the alternatives mentioned above, microwaving can be a convenient option.

Reheating Whole Burger

1. Remove lettuce, tomato and other cold toppings before microwaving. If possible, separate the patty from the bun and add the cold toppings back afterward.
2. Place the patty on a microwave-safe plate. If warming the bun, cover it loosely with a slightly damp paper towel to help keep it from becoming tough.
3. Heat in short bursts, checking frequently, until the patty reaches 165°F internally. Avoid overheating the bun.

Reheating Tips

1. Remove the cold elements before reheating and then reassemble your burger after reheating. This will help prevent the bun from getting soggy or wilting the vegetables.
2. Keep the bun and patty separate during storage to prevent sogginess by wrapping each element separately in foil or plastic wrap.
3. Avoid overcooking the burger while reheating, as this can lead to dryness.
4. Consider removing the lettuce and tomato and using your own fresh lettuce and tomato.
5. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat and return other leftovers to the refrigerator promptly. Use a food thermometer when practical and heat the patty to 165°F internally.
6. Reheating individual elements will yield the best flavor and texture. Toast the bun, reheat the patty and reassemble your burger after reheating.

Reheating Different In-N-Out Burgers

Protein Style: Remove the lettuce wrap before reheating the patty and cheese. Rewrap with fresh, cold lettuce after the meat is hot.

Animal Style: Reheat the patty and grilled onions together, but add spread and other cold toppings after reheating.

Double-Double: Two patties can take slightly longer to heat through than a hamburger or cheeseburger. Check the center and reheat to 165°F without overcooking the outer surfaces.

Preparing Ahead to Reheat an In-N-Out Burger

If you know in advance that you'll be reheating your burger, ordering the cold and warm elements separately can improve the result. For more ordering information, see our In-N-Out Burger FAQ. Custom requests can vary by location, so confirm availability when ordering. Here is how:

1. If you know the burger will be eaten later, ask whether the bun can be left untoasted and whether cold toppings and spread can be packaged separately. Custom-order availability can vary by location.
2. If available, request cheese separately and add it to the patty near the end of reheating.
3. Ask whether lettuce, tomato, onion, spread and other condiments can be packaged on the side. Availability and any charges can vary, so confirm when ordering.
4. Reheat the burger and any cheese using the methods above.
5. Toast the bun separately using an oven, toaster, grill or in a pan.
6. Assemble the burger with the cold elements once heated.

If you plan to reheat fries, opt for ordering them cooked very light (which is indeed an option at In-N-Out). This ensures that when you reheat them, they won't end up overcooked, giving you the flexibility to bake them to your desired level of crispiness.

A little extra preparation can make a reheated burger noticeably better. For more local favorites, see our guide to the best burgers in Orange County.

Best Ways to Reheat In-N-Out Fries

An air fryer is the best option for restoring crispness to leftover In-N-Out fries, with the oven a close second. Microwaving cold fries tends to make them soft and should generally be avoided.

Reheat Fries Oven

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Spread fries out on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer, do not overcrowd.
3. Heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until hot and crisp, turning or tossing the fries halfway through.

Air Fryer — Best Method for Fries

1. Preheat air fryer to 350–375°F and start checking early because air fryer models vary.
2. Spread fries in an air fryer basket in single layer, do not overcrowd.
3. Heat for about 2 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket once and checking after 2 to 3 minutes. Remove when hot and crisp.

Skillet Method for Fries

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with little or no oil.
2. Add the fries in a single layer without overcrowding.
3. Turn or toss frequently until the fries are hot and crisp, then serve immediately.

Tip: Reheating times are approximate. Appliance performance, portion size and starting temperature vary, so begin checking early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an In-N-Out burger last in the refrigerator?

Properly refrigerated cooked leftovers should generally be eaten within 3 to 4 days. Keep them at 40°F or below and discard food that was left unrefrigerated beyond safe time limits.

Can you reheat an In-N-Out burger the next day?

Yes, if it was refrigerated promptly. Separate the cold toppings, reheat the patty to 165°F, warm the bun separately and reassemble.

Can you reheat an In-N-Out burger twice?

It is better to reheat only the portion you plan to eat rather than repeatedly warming and cooling all of the leftovers.

Can you freeze an In-N-Out burger?

The cooked patty can be frozen, but lettuce, tomato, spread and an assembled bun will lose texture. For better results, freeze the meat separately.

How do you reheat an In-N-Out burger without making it soggy?

Separate the components. Reheat the patty, lightly toast or warm the bun, and add cold lettuce, tomato and spread only after the hot ingredients are ready.

What's the best way to reheat In-N-Out fries?

Use an air fryer for the best chance of restoring crispness. An oven is the next-best option; avoid microwaving cold fries when texture matters.

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