Sometimes, you do not want to spend hours before your BBQ preparing patties to put on the charcoal grill. Other times, you may want the convenience of grilling frozen burgers. Whether you prepare the burgers yourself and freeze them for later use or buy frozen burgers at the store, the major thing to know when you take this time-saving route is if your burgers have been cooked properly.
Unfortunately, frozen patties take a little longer to cook than their fresh alternatives. You also need to cook them thoroughly to prevent foodborne illnesses. This article will teach you what you need to know.
How Long to Cook Frozen Patties
Typically, it will take anywhere from 15-25 minutes for the burger patties to finish cooking. The major factor in how long it will take is the thickness of the meat, as thicker burgers will take longer to cook all the way through. If you are worried about proper cooking,
If you are unsure if the patties are done, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. This is done by inserting the thermometer into the middle of the patty. Hamburger should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees to be guaranteed safe for consumption.
How to Grill Frozen Burgers On A Grill
Now that you know about how long to grill the frozen hamburger meat, here are some more details about the cooking process.
Step 1: Preheat the Grill
If you stick burgers on a cold portable grill, they are going to stick to the grate. They will also cook unevenly, which may cause them to burn by the time the inside has cooked properly.
The proper temperature for grilling burgers is about 325 degrees. If you do not have a grill that you can measure the temperature on, hold our hand about three inches above the grill grate. If you can hold it comfortably for 6-7 seconds, the grill has reached the proper temperature.
Step 2: Separate the Burgers
Frozen burgers are usually frozen with a layer of paper between them to prevent them from sticking together. You can use a metal spatula or a butter knife to wedge between them and get them apart. If you are having an especially hard time getting the patties apart, you can let the burgers sit out for a few minutes before separating them.
Step 3: Cook the Burgers
Place the hamburger patties on the grill and let them cook for about five minutes before flipping them. Continue to flip the burgers every 3-5 minutes, until they are cooked all the way through. They should read 160 degrees when measured by a meat thermometer.
Grilling does tend to cause flare-ups from time to time. If you do not want your burgers burning up in a flame, move them off to the side until the flames have time calm down. Closing the grill lid will help, since it stops oxygen flow and will help control the flame.
Some people like to enjoy burgers that are rare or medium-rare. However, it is not safe to cook pre-frozen burgers to this temperature because they have been thawed previously during processing. Failing to cook to at least 160 degrees can make the person who eats them sick.
Another Benefit of Cooking Frozen Burgers: Time to Prepare the Toppings
Once you have a tray of hamburger patties grilling, you can spend a few minutes chatting it up. You can also take the extra time to put some hamburger buns on the grill for warming. For an extra treat, brush the tops with butter! Your family or BBQ guests will definitely appreciate it.
Finally, as the burgers are done, load them up on a plate and then let everyone load them up with their favorite toppings. Don’t forget the cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and condiments! These are all-American burger classics!
If you include preheating the grill, you can still bring delicious and convenient burgers from the grill to your table in about half-an-hour, depending on the thickness of the burger. This makes them easy for a quick dinner or inviting friends over for a BBQ. The process above is flawless and will produce high-quality, delicious burgers every time.
