How To Grill Frozen Hamburgers – The Method That Works!

If you’ve ever stood in front of your grill with a bag of frozen hamburgers and wondered if you could cook them straight from the freezer, the answer is yes you can, and it’s easier than you think. Grilling frozen burgers is a good option when you don’t have time to thaw meat but still want that grilled burger flavor.

However if you look at the back of the package the instructions will have you placing the burgers on a preheated, hot grill, directly over the fire. Although that can work, I have found a better method that makes the burgers turn out perfect each and every time.

Although the key is managing the heat and understanding when the patties are ready to move and flip. Whether you’re using thin frozen patties or thick half-pound ones, this method works well with just a few adjustments to the cook time.

Why This Method Works

Grilling frozen patties can sometimes result in uneven cooking or burnt outsides if you put them directly over high heat right away. That’s why it helps to start your frozen burgers on the upper rack of your grill.

This allows them to begin cooking slowly as the grill preheats, forming a light crust on the outside without burning. Once the grill reaches full temperature, you can move the patties to the direct heat and finish them off with a good sear.

This grilling method helps avoid flare-ups, prevents the burgers from sticking to the grates, and keeps you from overcooking the outside before the inside is fully done.

What You’ll Need

• Frozen hamburger patties (store-bought or homemade, any thickness)
• Grill with upper warming rack (gas or charcoal)
• Long-handled spatula
• Meat thermometer (optional but helpful)
• Salt and pepper or other seasonings (optional)

How To Grill Frozen Hamburgers

1. Preheat your grill to 400°F

Start by turning on your grill and setting it to preheat to 400°F. On a gas grill, you can set all the burners to high and then adjust as needed once you get close to temperature. On a charcoal grill, arrange your coals to one side for direct heat and leave the other side open for indirect heat.

Place your frozen hamburger patties on the upper warming rack of the grill as it preheats. This step is important as it allows the burgers to start cooking slowly as the grill heats up. Keep the lid closed while preheating.

As the grill comes up to temperature, the burgers will begin to thaw and form a light outer crust on the bottom surface. This makes them easier to handle and helps prevent sticking when they’re moved to the main grates later.

2. Move the patties to direct heat

Once the grill reaches about 400°F and the patties have developed a light crust, it’s time to transfer them to the main cooking grate over direct heat.

Place the patties over the heat source and let them cook with the lid closed. Flip every 3 to 5 minutes, or when the patties release easily from the grates.

Don’t try to force them to flip too soon – if they stick, give them another minute or two. Once a crust forms on the underside, they’ll lift off more easily.

3. Total cook time: about 15 minutes

Cooking time depends on the thickness of your patties. Thin frozen burgers might only take 10 to 12 minutes. Thick, half-pound patties will take closer to 15 minutes, sometimes up to 20 minutes.

Flip them every few minutes to keep the cook even on both sides. Keep the lid closed between flips to maintain consistent heat.

4. Seasoning the burgers

You can season the patties with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or your favorite burger seasoning after they’ve been moved to direct heat. Don’t season while they’re still frozen or on the upper rack because seasoning will just fall off.

Sprinkle seasoning on each side after the first flip to make sure the spices stick well to the crust.

5. Check for doneness

To know when your burgers are fully cooked, it’s best to use a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends ground beef be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Insert an instant read digital meat thermometer into the center of the patty from the side, for the most accurate reading.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can cut into the center of a patty to check that the juices run clear and there’s no pink remaining. Keep in mind that a thicker burger might appear done on the outside while still needing more time inside.

Grilling Tips Based on Frozen Hamburger Thickness

Thin frozen patties:
These cook fast. Expect them to finish in about 10 to 12 minutes once they’ve been moved to the main grate. They don’t need as much time on the upper rack but still benefit from 5 minutes of indirect heat as the grill preheats.

Thick, 1/2 pound frozen patties:
These require a full 15 to 20 minutes over direct heat. They’ll need more time on the upper rack, around 8 to 10 minutes, before moving to direct heat. Always use a thermometer to confirm that the thick ones are cooked through.

No matter the size, flipping every 3 to 5 minutes is a good rhythm. This keeps the cooking even and helps prevent burning or overcooking one side.

Avoiding Common Grilling Problems

1. Sticking to the grill:
The main reason burgers stick is trying to move them before they’re ready. Let them cook until a crust forms. If you try to flip them too early, the meat may tear and stick. A clean grill grate also helps.

2. Overcooking the outside:
This happens if you place the frozen patties directly over high heat right away. Use the upper rack during preheating so they begin cooking more slowly. Then finish them with a sear once they’ve thawed a bit.

3. Uneven cooking:
If you’re cooking a mix of thick and thin patties, keep the thinner ones toward the cooler side of the grill. If using charcoal, you can move patties around more easily to manage heat. Flip often and check them often for doneness.

Grilled Frozen Hamburger Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 frozen hamburger patties (1/4 to 1/2 pound each)
• Salt and pepper or burger seasoning (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place frozen patties on the upper warming rack of your grill.
2. Preheat the grill to 400°F with the lid closed. Allow patties to begin thawing and form a light crust during this preheating time (about 8 to 10 minutes for thick patties, 5 minutes for thin).
3. Move patties to the main cooking grate over direct heat.
4. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping every 3 to 5 minutes, or when patties easily release from the grates. Adjust time based on thickness.
5. Season both sides after the first flip.
6. Use a thermometer to check for doneness—160°F internal temperature is the target.
7. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Ideas

Once the burgers are done, you can serve them however you like. If you are adding cheese do so during the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking. As the cheese melts toast the buns on the upper or lower rack (away from the direct heat).

Classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mustard and ketchup work well. Or take your burger to the next level and add barbecue sauce, bacon and avocado slices.

No matter how you serve it, grilling frozen hamburger patties is a quick way to get dinner on the table quickly. With a little attention to heat management and timing, you can get perfectly cooked, juicy burgers straight from the freezer to your plate.

However, if the weather isn’t cooperating and you can’t grill, make your frozen burgers in your air fryer. It’s another great way to get dinner on the table without much effort. See Recipe: How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers.

Enjoy! Mary

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