There’s nothing quite like getting fresh, high-quality beef patties and throwing them on the grill. But sometimes, frozen burgers are all you have at home.
Or maybe you got a great bargain for them. But guess what – they can taste just as delicious, provided you know how to grill them properly.
Frozen meat, in general, tends to be a little bit tricky, and it’s essential that you cook it safely. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about grilling frozen burgers.
Is It Safe to Grill Frozen Burgers?
How many times have you eaten a burger at a fast-food restaurant? Well, in 99% of them, the restaurant uses frozen patties. So, to answer the question – yes, it’s safe to cook frozen burgers, whether you do it on a grill, flat top, or in your frying pan.
The only way this would be unsafe is if the expiration date on the burger package is past due. In that case, be sure not to cook it and properly dispose of the meat.
Another relevant detail to keep in mind here is that, even though once thawed burgers can be refrozen, it’s probably not the best thing to do.
If your frozen burgers still have a valid expiration date and you thaw them but don’t eat them, you can theoretically freeze them again. However, there will be a significant loss in texture, moisture, and, ultimately, flavor.
What Are the USDA Guidelines Regarding Grilling Frozen Burgers?
According to USDA guidelines, you can freeze any type of food, save for eggs and canned goods. When it comes to meat, in some cases, like with stuffed poultry, it’s actually recommended to cook it frozen.
As for the burgers, and other types of meat, the guidelines suggest that it’s perfectly safe to cook them frozen. However, they do point out that the process will take around one-and-a-half times longer for them to be cooked properly.
But grilling usually takes longer than cooking in the frying pan anyway. The USDA guidelines are much more elaborate and specific when it comes to thawing your frozen meat properly. That’s where the safety concerns come in.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should never thaw your frozen meat, including burgers, at room temperature. Leaving them on the kitchen counter and cooking them the next day could potentially be hazardous for your health.
If you took the burgers out of the freezer, but you changed your mind and decided to make them later in the day or the next day, it’s best to place them in the fridge.
That way, they’ll thaw slower and stay in the cold. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can thaw your burgers in the microwave oven or cold water. In any case, once the burgers are no longer frozen, it’s best to grill them immediately.
How Long Does It Take to Grill Frozen Burgers?
One of the most frequent concerns regarding grilling frozen burgers is how long it’s going to take. Inevitably, the process will take longer than it would with fresh patties, but it’s difficult to state the exact number. And not to mention that the size and the thickness of the burger will have an impact on the cooking time.
Overall, the burgers will take anywhere from 20-30 minutes to be ready for the buns. But one of the best ways to make sure is to use a meat thermometer.
Once the number says 160°F, you’ll know for sure that they’re ready to go. The absolute last thing anyone wants is an under cooked burger.
Besides, that’s not at all safe. Your grill should be at about 325°F degrees, and it’s best that you flip the burgers over every five or so minutes.
And here’s something you need to be aware of when it comes to grilling frozen burgers: You have to be careful about flareups. That’s something you’ll likely to experience while grilling frozen meat unless you have an infrared grill that will decrease the chances of this happening.
When this does occur, all you really need to do is move your burgers to another side of the grill and keep them there until the flare subsides.
If you don’t, you risk burning your burgers on the outside while leaving them raw on the inside. Also, be sure to never put the cooked burgers on the same plate as the frozen burgers because you risk contamination.
When and How to Season Frozen Burgers?
Frozen burgers usually come in boxes and are completely unseasoned. If you were to try to sprinkle some salt and pepper on them, none of it would stick. So, when are you supposed to season them?
If you thaw them a little bit first, you can add the salt and pepper after becoming softer, but not fully thawed. On the other hand, if you want to put them on the grill right away, you need to let them get cozy on the grill for a few minutes.
Just place the frozen burger on the hot grill and leave it for about two minutes on one side and then do the same for the other. The juices will start flowing just the right amount for the burgers to absorb the seasoning.
That’s also when adding a little bit of butter might be a good idea too, if you like a fatty burger. Another tip for seasoning frozen burgers is to skip the table salt and go kosher. There’s more flavor, and it’s likely to draw out the moisture from the burger much quicker.
Also, one of the biggest mistakes when grilling frozen burgers is under-seasoning them. Another fantastic way to make your frozen patties taste even better is to put cheddar or Swiss cheese on them.
The best time to do that is around five minutes before the burgers are done. And if you’re looking for a few more ideas on how to season your burgers, why not consider these options:
· Barbecue sauce
· Garlic or onion powder
· Chili powder
· Italian dressing
· Worcestershire sauce
Should You Use a Regular Grill or a Flat Top Griddle?
The obvious answer would be – whichever you have. But if you have both, then the real discussion begins. People seem to be quite divided over the topic of regular grill vs. the flat top griddle.
And frozen burgers are the type of meat that honestly works well with both. So, in the end, it’s always going to be a matter of personal preference. However, let’s go over some of the more significant differences between the two types of grilling methods in the context of frozen burgers.
Firstly, if you’re using a charcoal grill, it’s hard to give up the smell and the flavor that meat prepared on charcoal has. Also, the regular grill will give you a less fatty burger, unless you add fat to it.
But overall, while it’s grilled, you’ll see the fat dripping, and you’ll end up with less grease. Also, grilling frozen burgers means you’ll have a softer crust, and many people like it that way. As for the flat top griddle, it’s often a more convenient way to cook frozen burgers, that much is true.
Also, if you’re particularly fond of a crispier crust, you’ll appreciate the flat top griddle more. And burgers on a griddle will cook in their own fat, so there’s no need to add more, which can also be a plus.
Is It Faster to Cook Frozen Burgers on a Grill or Thaw Them Out in a Microwave and Then Grill?
As mentioned, both of these methods for grilling frozen burgers are valid and perfectly safe if done correctly. But what will end up being faster is not always very obvious.
That’s because even though cooking frozen burgers will take twice, or often three times as long as fresh, thawing them also takes time. Granted, placing them in the microwave will be exponentially faster than thawing them in the fridge or cold water.
In total, the defrosting process in the microwave will take somewhere between 3-4 minutes. So, yes, using the microwave for defrosting will cut short the cooking time of the burgers.
But if you use the microwave for too long, you risk them starting to cook in the microwave. And if you don’t defrost them enough, you’ll end up grilling frozen burgers anyway. Still, if you’re in a hurry, thawing them first is probably the better choice.
Cooking the Perfect Frozen Burger
Burgers are a universally beloved type of food. They’re a simple concept, yet so tasty and so versatile. You can prepare your own patties at home and put them in the freezer so they’re ready for grilling. Or you can buy them at the store and have them on hand whenever you crave a delicious burger.
Grilling frozen burgers isn’t at all complicated. They can go on the grill or flat top griddle directly from the box. Or you can defrost them first and then start grilling.
Either way, some salt and other types of seasoning will really bring out the flavor. And then all that’s left is to grill the buns and enjoy your meal.