The worry of serving undercooked frozen burger patties or worse, dry and overdone ones, is real. Are you flipping too soon? Is the burger patty inside still raw? If you want to enjoy a panic-free cooking time, you should know how long to cook frozen burgers on the grill.
Cook frozen burger on a grill at medium-high heat about 350–375°F for around 15 minutes, flipping often. Season simply, use a thermometer to check for the safe internal temperature of 160°F, and toast burger buns with butter. Use toppings like cheese, bacon, and pickles to build your perfect burger.
So, let’s walk you through simple cook times, easy steps, and a few bonus tips to help you get juicy burgers every single time. Let’s fire it up!
How Long to Cook Frozen Hamburgers On The Grill?
You should cook frozen hamburgers on a grill for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how you like them. At grill temperature of 375°F, frozen meat patties take around 10-12 minutes for rare, about 16-17 minutes for medium-rare or medium, and more than 18-20 minutes for a well-done finish.
Don’t forget to flip burgers every 5 minutes to ensure even grilling, seasoning them as you go. If you’re aiming for 160°F inside, a meat thermometer helps with an accurate temperature reading.
Gas Grill Cooking Time
If you’re wondering how long to cook frozen burgers on grill at 350, you should grill for about 15 to 20 minutes. That said, the time also depend on your burger thickness and desired doneness. We usually set our grill to medium heat, somewhere between 325°F and 375°F.
At around 15 minutes, you’ll get a nice medium finish. If you’re aiming for well-done beef burgers or bison burgers, expect to wait closer to 20 minutes. Either way, don’t forget to flip the burger meat about every 5-6 minutes.
Once you’re done, you should know how to clean gas grill after use to keep your equipment in good condition.
Electric Grill Cooking Time
You should cook frozen beef burgers on an electric grill for about 10 to 12 minutes when the grill is set at 350°F. First, let them sit for about 4-5 minutes on one side. You’ll start seeing the edges thaw and some browning. That’s your cue to flip.
Once flipped, cook for another 5 minutes or so. We usually flip one more time to be safe and to get an even finish. When the burgers reach 150°F inside, they’re ready.
Important Read: How to Clean a Griddle Grill
How to Cook Frozen Burger on a Grill
Cooking frozen burgers isn’t a big deal once you know a few tricks. With a little patience and heat, you can serve up juicy and smoky burgers.
So, let’s jump in.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen hamburger patties (pre-shaped is easiest)
- A little salt and pepper
- Hamburger buns
- A few tablespoons of butter (for bun magic)
- Whatever toppings you’re craving like cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon, or pickles.
Steps to Cook Frozen Burgers
Follow the given steps to cook a delicious and smoky burger.
1. Separate the Patties
Pull the patties right out of the freezer. If they’re stuck together (they usually are), we use a heavy spatula to pry them apart carefully. Letting them sit for a minute or two makes it way easier.
2. Light Seasoning
Sprinkle some salt and pepper on each side. Keep it simple here. We’ve found that a light seasoning works best when grilling frozen burgers. You don’t need to overthink it.
3. Heat Up the Grill
Preheating grill to medium-high around 375°F is our favorite spot. Oh, and make sure your grates are clean. We always ditch those wire brushes though. It’s not worth the risk.
4. Start Grilling
Lay the frozen patties right onto the hot grates. Give them some breathing room about 2 to 3 inches between each. Then, shut the lid and walk away for about 5 minutes. We know it’s tempting to peek, but don’t do it. It messes with the heat.
5. Flip and Season Again
After 5 minutes, flip the burgers. We usually add another quick sprinkle of seasoning now. Keep flipping every 3 to 5 minutes after that so they don’t burn and stay juicy.
6. Watch the Temperature
Plan to grill for around 15 to 20 minutes. We always check with a meat thermometer aiming for 160°F inside. It’s a small step that saves you from guessing and biting into a raw burger.
7. Toast the Buns
While the burgers finish up, melt a little butter and brush it over the buns. Toss them on the grill for a quick toast. We swear it takes the whole meal up a notch.
8. Stack and Serve
Now for the best part, stacking it up. We load ours with everything cheese, lettuce, pickles, or bacon, though there are plenty of options out there. Build it how you like it, take a big bite, and enjoy the win.
What Toppings Can You Use?
Whether you’re a keep-it-simple kind of person or someone who loves a fully loaded tower, we’ve got a few favorite ideas you should definitely try.
- Sautéed onions and mushrooms.
- Dill, spicy, or sweet pickles.
- American cheese including cheddar, swiss, blue cheese, or even a bold pimento.
- Bacon.
- Lettuce and tomato.
- Crispy onions or onion rings.
- Avocado or guacamole.
- Fried egg
- Jalapeños or roasted green chilies.
- Salsa, chutney, or a good onion jam.
- Classic sauces like mustard, ketchup, and mayo.
- BBQ sauce or steak sauce.
- Relish or pickled veggies.
- Peanut butter and jelly might.
Final Words
How long to cook frozen burgers on the grill? About 10–20 minutes depending on how you like them.
If you’re just starting out, flip the patties every 5 minutes and check for 160°F inside. For those who love to tweak the grill like a pro, play with the heat to hit rare, medium, or well-done. Either way, keep it simple.
Clean grill, light seasoning, and steady flipping. Well, that’s what works for us every time.
FAQs
Can you cook frozen burgers without thawing or defrosting?
Absolutely. You don’t need to thaw frozen burgers before cooking them. If you thaw them first, the burgers will cook faster, but it’s not necessary. However, you should expect a slightly longer cook time, if you grill frozen patties straight from the freezer.
Can you cook frozen burgers on the stove top?
Yes, you can cook frozen burgers directly on the stovetop. Just preheat a skillet over medium heat, cook evenly on both sides, and use a thermometer to ensure the burger reaches 150°F for a medium-well finish. No thawing required.
How do you know when burgers are done cooking?
The surest way to know if a burger’s done is by using a meat thermometer. For a medium-well burger, aim for 150°F. If you like pinker, pull it off a little sooner. A properly cooked burger should feel firm but still give a little when pressed.