Fresh might always be best, but can you cook those beef patties straight from frozen? Here’s how to grill frozen burgers for the best and juiciest results.
While grilling fresh patties for your favorite burger recipes should almost always be the standard for backyard chefs, time pressures sometimes mean that we have to reach for a pack of frozen patties to feed a crowd.
With the right approach, grilling burgers from frozen can still allow you to serve up mouth-watering patties at your backyard cook-off.
Here’s how to grill frozen burgers perfectly every time. Let’s get cooking!
Can You Cook Burgers From Frozen?
We keep burgers in the freezer so that you can pop a few on the grill whenever you want without having to think about going to the store at the drop of a hat. The issue is that grilling frozen burgers is not the same as cooking them fresh. Cooking them from frozen is possible, but you need to know how to do it and avoid having them taste as they have been in the freezer.
How to Prepare Frozen Burgers for Grilling
When you grill frozen burgers, there are some things that you will need to do. You can either grill your burgers after thawing them or grill them frozen. The important thing is to make sure that they reach the required burger internal temperature when cooked. When you remove them from the freezer, remove the plastic meat separators.
Once you have done this, you can choose whether you would like to season the patties. I usually go for the natural seasoning the patties come with if I’m dealing with pre-cooked patties. That way you know that the seasoning is already in the meat. I find that choosing a brand you trust works wonders.
However, as you grill frozen burgers, always keep in mind the possibility of flare-ups. This may happen as you are grilling and as the burgers cook. One of the best ways of making sure that there aren’t any flare-ups is to use indirect heat.
The fat content in meat can cause grill flare-ups, so there isn’t much that you can do to stop flare-ups unless you are cooking food with little-to-no fat content. You can avoid them, and you can also stay prepared by having a spray bottle with clean water in it. This will help deal with any flare-ups, if and when happens.
Mistakes to Avoid
Frozen burgers might seem easy to grill, but it’s easy to slip up. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure you get the juiciest grilled burgers possible.
Under Seasoning Meat
If you are buying ready-made patties, it is advisable to go with a brand that you know. However, homemade patties give you a bit more control over the seasoning season in the patties. Try your best to know what has gone into your meat so that you know what to expect.
When it comes to seasoning, try not to use table salt, but instead use kosher salt, which expands and shares more of its flavor across the meat. Remember that any extra seasoning will not stick to your frozen burger. As such, you will need to season the pattie after it has been on the grill for about 2 minutes and then flipped over.
At this stage, the side facing the grill is softer and will take in the seasoning better. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to try to season the patties when frozen. It will simply roll off like water off a duck’s back.
Searing
Another mistake that is often made is turning the heat high or trying to have an open and direct flame so that the patties thaw and cook faster. Cooking the meat at a temperature that is too high risks burning the meat’s surface before the inside reaches the optimal internal temperature.
Also, don’t cook the meat at too low a temperature for extended periods, and don’t be fooled by a brown color to think that it is cooked. It may be burning on the outside and uncooked inside.
Thickness
Another mistake that you will be thankful that you avoided is making the patties too thin. When you attempt to chuck them onto the grill then, they will start to thaw. If you have a very thin pattie, then it may be tough to flip. While it may be tempting, don’t try to press down the patties as they cook.
If you are buying frozen patties already packaged, then you want to go for the ones with no fillers—the more basic, the better.
Also, ensure that you have preset the temperature of the grill so that it heats up properly.
Flare-Ups
Flare-ups are a common occupational hazard when grilling, especially if you’re cooking fatty meat. A grill flare-up is often the result of dripping fat and can cause a sudden burst of heat, presenting an obvious safety hazard. Furthermore, a flare-up can lead to your burgers being bitter and inedible. Grease build-up is one of the major contributors to hot spots across your cooking grates. If your grates go without cleaning for extended periods of time, the likelihood of a fire is increased. Flare-ups can also be caused by an oily marinade used in your meat.
Temperature Reading
It may take longer to cook, but it is essential to keep an eye on the internal temperature because there is a possibility of overcooking the burger meat.
How to Grill Frozen Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 frozen burger patties
- kosher salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- olive oil
Instructions
- Fire up your grill to 325˚F (163°C)
- Lightly brush the grates with oil so that the patties don’t stick to them
- Season the patties with salt and pepper, and place on the grill grates
- Cook to 160°F (82°C) internal temperature, turning every 5 minutes. About 10-15 minutes in total.
