How to Grill Frozen Burgers

Burgers on the grill have a great savory taste with a subtle smoky flavor that is just what we crave for summer outings or social gatherings. But if you are in a pinch and you only have frozen burgers, does that mean no burgers?

No, you can grill frozen burgers without thawing them first and still have that same juicy, flavorful patty in a short time. Here are some tips and information on how to grill frozen burgers.

How Long Does it Take To Grill Frozen Burgers?

As for how long to grill frozen burgers, this recipe calls for about 15 minutes while flipping them every five minutes. However, burger cooking times will vary, depending on your grill, burger thickness and how well done you like them.

For this recipe, since you are cooking the beef burgers from frozen, you are going to want to cook them to an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety reasons. However, if you are cooking frozen seafood, chicken or turkey burgers, the recommended temperature is 165°F.

Frozen Beef, Pork & Lamb Burgers = 160°F

Frozen Seafood, Chicken and Turkey Burgers = 165°F

Store-bought ground beef tends to contain a lot of bacteria from the work area. This is why some people choose to grind their own cuts of meat at home in order to enjoy a medium-rare burger.

Recommended Grill Temperature

When it comes to grilling them, I recommend keeping the grill temperature at medium-high or lower. If it is too high, it will cook the outside of the burger quicker but leave the inside raw. Be aware that some parts of the grill are hotter than others, so move the burgers around depending on their doneness.

Fight the urge to smash them against the grid of the gas grill for a small fire show. They will lose their round shape, the juices will spill out, and the juices may get into the heat and catch your burgers on fire.

Do They Need Seasoning?

You shouldn't have to season frozen burgers as they are typically already seasoned and good to go. If they aren't seasoned, however, you can sprinkle them with some salt and pepper after they have thawed for a few minutes or while they are cooking.

How do You Separate Frozen Burgers?

If they don't separate easily by hand, I like to place the frozen burgers on a cutting board on their side and carefully wedge a butter knife in between the patties where there is a groove. Then I gently tap the handle of the butter knife with my other fist in a downward motion towards the cutting board. They should come apart quite easily and quickly this way.

Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Equipment

Step 2: Preheat Grill

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove burger patties from the freezer.

Step 3: Separate Burger Patties

Separate the burger patties and remove the papers.

Step 4: Grill the Frozen Burgers

Place the frozen patties on the grill and cook for about 15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes (or until the burgers are cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F). If they were not seasoned, you can season them with some salt and pepper once they start to thaw on the grill.

Keep an eye on the burgers for flare ups. If they are flaring up too much, lower the heat a little.

If you are adding cheese slices, add them during the last few minutes.

Step 5: Remove Patties & Toast the Buns

Remove the burgers from the grill and toast the buns lightly, if desired. It should take only 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve!

Add the patties to the hamburger buns with toppings and condiments of your choice. Serve!

How Long Are Frozen Burgers Good For?

They can last up to 4 to 5 months in the freezer, depending on how well you package them. If you were to thaw them in the refrigerator, they should be cooked within 1 to 2 days.

Frozen burgers are convenient and great to have on hand when you are craving a last minute BBQ dinner. We like to use this method for not only beef but all types of burgers like salmon, chicken, turkey, bison, etc. You can easily buy your favorite ground meat, mix in some spices, shape them into patties and freeze them yourself. To get a little more adventurous, you can go as far as grinding the meat yourself.

Did you enjoy using this technique? Let us know in the comments and please share the recipe!

📋Recipe

Looking for more grilling tutorials? Check out How to Grill Onions