Grilling frozen burgers is easier than you might think. In fact, grilling frozen burgers is a great way to save time and energy. If you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, or if you simply prefer to eat outside, then grilled frozen burgers are perfect for you.
Frozen foods are convenient because they come ready to cook. They also tend to be healthier than their fresh counterparts. Grilled frozen burgers are no exception. They taste delicious and are easy to prepare.
You can easily grill frozen burgers using a gas grill. All you need is a spatula and some tongs. In the article below, we will take a look at how you can grill frozen burgers in 3 easy steps, while also outlining the supplies you will need to get started.
So if you want to know how to grill frozen burgers, then you have come to the right place…
Overview
If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to read the entire article, then we have provided a condensed version of our method in the section below:
Preheat the grill to 350 F
Place frozen patties on the grill grates
Cook patties until they reach an internal temperature of 160 F
If you want to learn more about the grilling process, then you will find a detailed guide in the following sections.
What You Need To Know
Before you start grilling frozen burgers, it’s important that you understand the basics first. This includes knowing your equipment, as well as understanding the different types of food you can use when grilling.
The most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a grill. It should be able to handle temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
A spatula and tongs are useful tools for grilling frozen burgers. When working with frozen meat, you may also need a butter knife to pry the patties apart.
Now let’s take a look at the different supplies you will need to grill your frozen burgers.
What You Will Need
To grill frozen burgers, all you really need is a grill, a spatula, and tongs. However, there are other items you will need such as the patties and buns.
Burger patties (obviously)
Salt
Pepper
Burger toppings
Buns
melted butter
Now that you understand the various items you will need, let’s take a look at the cooking process and how you can approach it.
How To Grill Frozen Burgers In 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Preheat The Grill
When it comes to grilling frozen burgers, you will want to preheat the grill before placing the patties on it.
This step ensures that the grill has reached its optimum operating temperature. Once this happens, you won’t have to worry about any uneven heating.
You can do this by turning on the grill and waiting for it to heat up. Once it reaches the desired temperature (350 F), turn off the grill and allow it to cool down.
If you are working with a grill that doesn’t have a thermometer, then you can determine the temperature by using the hand method.
This involves placing your hand over the grill (at a safe distance) and checking to see if it is hot enough for the patties. If the heat is still weak after 7 – 9 seconds, then the grill will probably be around 250 – 300 degrees.
If you move your hand after 6 – 7 seconds, this means that the grill has reached a temperature between 300 – 350 degrees and is ready for the burgers.
Just make sure you don’t burn yourself while using this particular method.
Step 2: Place Patties On The Grill
Once the grill is hot enough, place the frozen patties on it so that they are evenly spaced out.
Don’t crowd them together or put too many in one spot. Make sure each patty is touching the grill grates.
If the patties are stuck together, you will need to separate them with a butter knife before placing them on the grill. It is also important to season both sides of the patties, whether that be with salt, pepper or spices.
When the patties have been seasoned, they should be ready for the grill.
Step 3: Cook The Patties Until They Reach A Safe Temperature
At this point, you will need to ensure that the patties are cooked through. If you don’t, then you could end up with raw hamburger meat.
During this process, you will also need to flip the patties every few minutes to ensure an even cook. In most cases, you should flip the burger every 3 – 5 minutes. Although the time will vary depending on the thickness of the patties.
After you have flipped the patties for the first time, you can add sauce to the burgers to help maintain their moisture during the grilling process.
To check whether the patties are ready, insert a thermometer into the center of each burger.
When the burgers are done, they should register 160 F inside. Once this happens, you can remove the patties from the grill and toast the burger buns.
To do this, spread melted butter on the flat side of the bun and put them on the grill. Allow them to toast at a low temperature while making sure they don’t burn.
When the patties and buns are ready, you can assemble your burger and enjoy your meal.
In some instances, you may experience flare-ups. During this time, you will need to move the patties away from the blaze, as the scorched meat can affect the taste.
How To Assemble The Perfect Burger
The best way to assemble a burger is to take your burger bun and spread the sauce of your choice on both slices. This can be anything from ketchup to mayonnaise.
Next, place the burger on top of the bun. You can either cut it in half or leave it whole.
Now, take a slice of cheese and lay it on top of the burger. Then, add another slice of cheese on top of that.
Finally, add the veggies (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles etc.) on top of the patty.
You can also add other toppings such as bacon, Doritos chips, jalapeños, or avocado smash. The choice is yours to make.
When you have assembled your burger, you can either eat it on its own or serve it with a range of different sides.
Best Sides For Burgers
There are plenty of options when it comes to what goes well with a burger. Here are just a few of our favorite sides:
Potato Salad
This is probably one of the easiest ways to go about serving potatoes with burgers. Simply mix boiled potatoes with mayo and seasoning. Add any additional ingredients such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions etc.
Fries
These are great because they are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. However, if you prefer something more traditional, you can bake the fries instead. It is also possible to load your fries with a variety of extras, whether that be cheese, bacon or gravy.
Caesar Salad
A Caesar salad makes a great accompaniment to any burger. All you need to do is toss together romaine lettuce leaves, croutons, Parmesan cheese and dressing. You can use a bottled dressing or homemade recipes.
Mac & Cheese
If you want to give your burger a cheesy kick, then macaroni and cheese is the perfect option. Just combine pasta and cheese sauce and let it simmer until all the water has evaporated. The best mac and cheese should be creamy, crunchy and bursting with cheesy flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Temperature Should You Grill Frozen Burgers?
When cooking frozen burgers, you will need to preheat your grill to 350 F for 10 minutes. Both sides of the burger will need to be cooked at this temperature.
To determine whether the patties have been cooked, you will need to make sure that they have an internal temperature of 160 F.
Should You Grill Frozen Or Thawed Burgers?
It is recommended that you cook frozen burgers over direct heat only. If you choose to cook them over indirect heat, you will need to reduce the temperature by 25 degrees.
While there is nothing wrong with grilling frozen burgers, many people agree that it is better to grill thawed burgers. This is because thawed burgers will cook more evenly and yield a juicy taste.
Can Frozen Burgers Be Medium Rare?
The short and simple answer is no – frozen burgers should not be served medium-rare. This is because the inside of the burger is thawed during processing and could contain harmful bacteria.
Instead, the burger should have an internal temperature of 160 F to make sure that it is edible. If you eat a medium-rare frozen burger, then you are putting your own health at risk.
Should You Season Frozen Burgers?
Seasoning is optional, but we recommend adding salt and pepper. These two ingredients are essential in ensuring that the burger tastes delicious.
Of course, it is also possible to season the patties with various herbs and spices. But what you decide to use will usually come down to personal preference.
Final Thoughts
When grilling burgers, many people will recommend using homemade or thawed patties. However, this does not mean that you can’t grill burgers that are still frozen.
While the practice of cooking frozen meat is sometimes frowned upon, it can be a great way to save time and empty the freezer.
So the next time you are entertaining friends or family, just remember you can grill your frozen patties and transform them into delicious gourmet burgers.
