If you are searching for how to grill frozen burgers, you are like the rest of us, short on time but want a juicy burger, but oh, yes, they are frozen. Of course, you have no time to watch them thaw out for hours on your kitchen counter.
However, if you’re someone who often finds yourself short on time, cooking frozen burgers can be a lifesaver. In this BBQ Grill Academy article, we will teach you how to grill frozen burgers like a pro!
We’ll reach how to grill frozen burger parties, some tools that can make your life easier, and a few tips and tricks.
Instructions
Below are a few simple steps to help you cook burgers, even if frozen, and serve delicious burgers to your friends and family.
Get the Grill Ready
Preheat the gas grill to 400 degrees and get it clean and ready. After about 15 minutes, the grill should be preheated, burn off any old residue, and be prepared to grill. Bring the turn it back down to 350 degrees.
It is important to preheat the grill to burn off any old stuff, as old food and grease residue will generate dirty smoke, ruining the flavor of the burger patties. Be sure to clean the grill grates and get all your BBQ tools ready.
Defrosting before cooking is better, of course.
Try, if possible, to defrost the burgers before cooking them on the grill. This helps ensure that they cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the grill. If you have a few minutes defrosting the burger patties in the fridge is best, but if you’re in a hurry, defrost them in the microwave.
Allowing the burger patties to defrost a bit before grilling helps them cook evenly and prevents them from bubbling up like a hockey puck.
Another trick for avoiding an overly-cooked burger is to use your thumb to make a small dip in the center of each patty. This allows the heat to reach the center more quickly without overcooking the edges.
Get your patties ready
Your grill will take some time to preheat, which is why that was the first step. Now you can start getting the burger patties ready. If the parties are completely frozen likely there stuck together.
You will need to separate them. Use a fork, blunt knife, or your fingers to do this. A good suggestion to separate frozen patties is putting them in a sealed bag and then hitting them with a tenderizing mallet. This will help to break them up without using a lot of force.
However, I separate frozen burger patties is to placing them on a cutting board and using a butter knife or any blunt knife and a mallet to break them apart.
Here is how you do it: place the butter knife directly between two frozen patties, hit the knife, and done. This is the most effortless, fastest, and safest way I use: no sharp knives, no shenanigans, and no destroying the pattie itself.
Get those burger patties seasoned
At this point, your grill is likely preheated, so take a minute and make sure that the grill is set to 350 and the grill grate is clean and ready to go.
Frozen beef patties can be seasoned just like fresh ones. We at BBQ Grill Academy recommend using a simple salt and pepper mixture, but you can also get creative with your seasonings if you like.
I personally use Goya Adobo all-purpose seasoning. It gives the patties a great kick and a “salty” flavor, especially for a frozen patty.
Here is a TIP:
Don’t be afraid of adding a bit of extra season to frozen patties. Some of the seasonings will run off the meat as they cook and thaw out.
Place your patties on the grill – Let’s grill frozen hamburger patties
Here is a tip: If you are grilling frozen burgers on a propane grill, create a two-zone cooking area by only using one set of burners opposite to where you are placing the meat. This will allow the meat to cook using indirect heat and let it come to a temperature slower, allowing the thicker parts of the meat to cook.
The same can be done with a charcoal grill. Let the coals on one side of the grill and then place the burgers on the opposite side of the fire.
Cooking frozen patties is all about controlling the heat and not shocking the beef patties with too much or high direct heat.
While the burgers cook, throw hamburger buns on the cooking grates. Place the inside of the buns facing down and flip them if you like. Don’t overdo it. Burger buns do not need to be grilled for a long time.
Cook the burgers how you like them
I always recommend using a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meat. As a general rule, I cook my frozen beef patties to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. I know some people like to see their burgers cooked less, but I like to cook to a safe internal temperature, and for burger patties, the minimum recommended temp is 160 degrees.
When the burgers are about 10 degrees from their ready texture, I like to add cheese slices and sometimes even barbecue sauce or melted butter.
Grill the burgers four minutes per side, or until they reach the desired doneness.
Make sure to let the burgers rest for a few minutes after you take them off the grill. This will help the juices redistribute back into the ground beef and aren’t lost when you cut into it.
Serve!
Now is time to serve the juiciest grilled burgers you ever cooked, with beautiful grill marks and all!
Before you serve those perfect burgers, grab a plate of condiments and extra cheese slices and enjoy. Burgers are easy to make, and adopting these tips and tricks will help you cook them faster and juicer.
Remember to always start with a clean gas grill, avoid hots spots and be sure to cook ground beef and frozen hamburger patties to a safe temperature.
Tips and Tricks
- Allow frozen burgers to defrost before grilling for even cooking if you have the time.
- Get your favorite toppings ready before starting grilling the burgers.
- Always, Always use a meat thermometer to check food doneness levels.
- Avoid using direct flame to grill frozen burger patties.
- Season frozen burgers just like fresh ones.
- Place patties on grill over indirect heat to prevent overcooking
- Adding BBQ sauce can add flavor.
- If you are in a rush, you can submerge your package of burgers in cold water for quicker thawing.
Another Way to Grill Frozen Burgers: Use an Indoor Grill
If it’s cold or raining outside and you don’t want to grill your burgers on the patio, never fear – you can also cook them on an indoor grill.
Choosing Burger Patties
When purchasing burger patties, choose one which has a minimum of 70 percent lean meat and 30 percent fat. This type of burger patty will render tender and juicy.
A word about flare-ups
Flareups are common when grilling frozen hamburger patties on the grill. Fat is like fuel to those hot burners and charcoal. You want to avoid fire and smoke from flare ups to touch the hamburger patties.
The dirty smoke will add a bitter flavor to the meat and even the hamburger buns. There are a few ways to avoid this. First, make sure your grill is at medium heat but adjust it if necessary.
Second, cook using indirect heat, and last, keep some aluminum foil nearby. If the grill light up, put some aluminum foil on the grates and place the burgers on the foil until the grill calms down.
FAQs
How long does it take to grill frozen burgers?
The time it takes to grill burgers will vary depending on the size of the burger patty and the amount of heat your grill puts out. Be prepared to grill the burgers for about 15 to 20 minutes.
However, the real answer and what’s most important is that the burgers are done when your meat thermometers say they are. Once burgers reach their internal temperature at 160°, the meat is safe if eaten at that temperature.
Is it better to grill frozen or thawed burgers?
A thawed burger will require a shorter cooking time. If you have the time, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to thaw frozen burgers. It will help with the cooking process and, yes, shorten the cook time.
Is it necessary to season frozen burgers?
Absolutely. If you are adding cheese and other condiments, you can season the burgers lightly. In less, you froze them seasoned. Make sure you add seasoning to the burger meat before grilling; otherwise, you’ll have tasteless grilled meat.
