Wondering if you can grill frozen burgers without thawing them first? Absolutely! Grilling frozen burgers is one of the easiest ways to get dinner on the table fast, and with the right technique, they'll turn out juicy, flavorful, and cooked all the way through.
Whether you forgot to thaw the meat, need a quick weeknight dinner, or you're feeding a crowd at a backyard barbecue, this simple method will have burgers on the table in about 15 minutes.
What makes this recipe irresistible
- No thawing required.
- Ready in about 15 minutes.
- Great for last-minute dinners.
- Works on both gas and charcoal grills.
- Juicy burgers with crispy edges.
Grilled Burger Patties from Frozen
Equipment
- gas grill
- metal spatula
Ingredients
- 8 frozen hamburger patties
- non-stick cooking spray
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon grill seasoning or seasoning salt
- 4 slices Monterey Jack cheese you can also use American cheese or Swiss cheese slices.
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
- 4 burger buns
- burger fixings - thinly sliced onion, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat your gas grill until it reaches 400 degrees. If you're using a charcoal, light the coals and wait until they become white. Spread out coals.
- Clean the cooking grates. Scrape the grill until it's clean. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Lightly season both sides of the frozen burger patties with salt and pepper.
- Place the frozen patties on the grate. Grill until juices begin to emerge. Depending on the thickness of the burgers that will take anywhere from 3-5 minutes. Flip burgers and grill on side two.
- Season both sides of the burgers again with the seasoning salt as they are cooking.
- Add cheese about the last minute of grilling so the cheese can get melted.
- Don't forget to grill your burger buns! Spread the buns lightly with butter. Grill for a minute, cut side down until the buns are brown and crispy.
- Now it's time to build your burgers. Top with your favorite fixings and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Ingredients
The printable recipe card below includes the complete ingredient list, exact measurements, and cooking times.
- Use any frozen beef patties you enjoy, from quarter-pound burgers to thicker steakhouse-style patties. Cooking time will vary depending on thickness.
- I prefer Montreal Steak Seasoning or use your favorite burger seasoning both work great.
- For cheese, American, cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack or pepper jack all melt beautifully.
Creative variations to try
- Brush barbecue sauce over the burgers during the last two minutes of grilling, before adding the cheese.
- Frozen turkey burgers work well too. Just cook to 165°F.
- Bacon burgers - Top with crispy bacon followed by your favorite cheese.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, refer to the recipe card.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
An easy way to separate a frozen burger patty if they are stuck together is to pry them apart with a butter knife.
Keep the lid closed as much as possible. Closing the lid helps the burgers cook more evenly and keeps the grill temperature consistent.
Usually the grill wasn't hot enough or the burgers were flipped too soon. Once a crust forms, the burgers release naturally.
Yes. Sprinkle seasoning on immediately after placing the burgers on the grill. Add another light sprinkle after flipping if desired.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Cooking time will vary based on the size of the frozen hamburger patty. Frozen burgers should be cooked until the internal meat temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Test kitchen notes
The first time I grilled burgers straight from frozen I expected them to be dry, but they surprised me. As long as the grill is fully preheated, they develop a great crust while staying juicy inside.
I've also learned not to rush flipping them. Once the juices begin to appear on top, they release much more easily from the grates and are less likely to stick.
Toasting the buns during the last minute makes a bigger difference than you'd think. It adds just enough crunch and helps keep the bun from getting soggy once you load it up with toppings.
More great burger recipes
- If you don't feel like heating up your grill tonight or the weather is bad, you can still make a good burger using this Air Fryer Burgers recipe. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty burger in the winter.
- THIS recipe for Steakhouse Burgers takes your ordinary burger to the next level!
- And or even more great ideas, check this out for the BEST Frozen Hamburger Recipes.
If you're new to grilling, learn how to season the grill here!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- Of course it's really not burger night without Mom's Deviled Egg Potato Salad. It's the BEST!!
- These Refrigerator Pickles are my favorite pickles to top delicious burgers with. They are so easy to make and full of tangy dill flavors. You won't regret making these homemade pickles.
- Do you want to add a tangy sauce to your juicy burgers? If so, you will want to make this Smashburger Sauce. It's an excellent copycat for your favorite restaurant burger sauce.
- If you are looking for another topping for your burgers, then this Tomato Relish is for you. It's a fresh and healthy topping!
- If you're looking for an easy side, make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - so tasty!!
Isn't this a great way to enjoy a burger? I bet your grilled burgers will beat take-out any day of the week. It's cheaper too! Leave a comment and let me know below!
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