How to Grill Frozen Burgers

Knowing how to grill frozen burgers is a great skill for any grill master. Whether you're cooking for a backyard BBQ, tailgate, game day party, or a quick weeknight dinner, frozen burgers can be a convenient and delicious option.

The key to grilling frozen burgers is knowing how to cook them properly. Follow these simple tips, and you'll get juicy, flavorful burgers every time without thawing.

Why You'll Love This Method

• No thawing required
• Great for last-minute meals
• Perfect for cookouts and tailgates
• Easy to customize with toppings
• Ready in about 10 minutes

What do I need to grill frozen burgers?

Before you start grilling, gather your burger patties, buns, and your favorite toppings. That's it.

How to Grill Frozen Burgers

Here is a brief summary. Read on for detailed steps.

• Preheat the grill
• Place the frozen burgers on the grill grate
• Flip when browned about halfway up the sides
• Season the burgers
• Add cheese and toppings near the end of cooking
• Toast the buns
• Assemble and serve

Note on cook time. Cook times will vary depending on the thickness of the burger and the heat of your grill. For the best results, use an instant-read thermometer and cook ground beef burgers to your preferred doneness.

Instructions for Grilling Frozen Hamburger Patties

Step One: Fire up the grill. Get the grill hot before you put the frozen patties on. If the grill is hot, you will get a nice sear on the burgers, and they will tend to stay intact better than if you put them on a cold grill and it slowly warms up. Keep the grill over high heat while cooking the burgers.

Step Two: With frozen burgers, you are watching the side of the burger to be able to tell when to flip it. Frozen burger patties are usually fairly thin, so they can go from frozen to overcooked surprisingly quickly. Watching the sides of the burgers is the easiest way to judge doneness. Once the cooked browning starts to come up from the bottom and up the side of the burger, you are ready to flip. Juices will also start to form on the top and drip down the sides. As you flip, be careful to avoid any flare-up from the dripping grease.

Internal Temperature Tip

For frozen turkey burgers, cook to 165°F. For beef hamburgers, use an instant-read thermometer and cook to your preferred doneness.

Step Three: At this point, you can season the hamburger patty. Hit it with some salt and pepper, Montreal steak seasoning, or you can use your favorite BBQ rub for added flavor. Adding it to the cooked greasy side absorbs more of the flavor than if you try to get it to adhere to the frozen burger. If you don't have a lot to add, try using garlic powder or onion powder for a delicious taste to the burger.

Step Four: Once the burgers are nearly done, add any toppings and place the cheese on last. Close the grill lid for 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese. If using sautéed mushrooms or onions, the melted cheese helps hold everything in place.

Important Safety Note: It is important to regularly clean your grill and clean out the grease trap. Certain grilled foods have a tendency to create more grease than others. Ground beef is one of them. It is important to make sure your grill is cleaned before you turn it on, and I recommend cleaning it after it cools off, after cooking beef burgers. 

Step Five: Toast the hamburger bun on the grill for about 30 seconds. If you are adding lettuce, make sure it is dry and place it on the bottom bun. This lettuce helps to create a moisture barrier and keep that bottom bun from getting over wet and falling apart. Place the burger onto the bun and enjoy.

Storage

Store leftover burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Favorite Burger Toppings

• Cowboy Butter
• Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, and ketchup
• Bacon, mushroom, and Swiss
• BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheddar
• Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese
• Bacon and Swiss

Common Questions

Can you grill frozen burgers without thawing them first?

Yes. Frozen burger patties can go directly from the freezer to the grill. In fact, keeping them frozen makes them easier to handle and helps prevent them from falling apart during cooking.

Can you season frozen burgers before grilling?

It's easier to season frozen burgers after the first flip. The surface will no longer be frozen, allowing the seasonings to stick much better.

Can I refreeze cooked frozen burgers?

Yes. Once cooked, burgers can be cooled and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What is the best grill for cooking frozen burgers?

You can use any grill that will get hot. If you are using a gas grill, just turn it on high heat, and you are set. If you are cooking over charcoal, make sure the coals are nice white-hot. You will have to closely monitor any direct heat grill because excess grease can easily create flare-ups and ruin your burger. If you find that may be a risk, place the charcoal on one side of the grill and cook the burger on the other side. Or if you have a hot spot on a certain burner, maybe avoid that one. The air in the grill will be plenty hot to cook the burger well. If you are using a Traeger grill or pellet grill, set it to 450°F to grill these frozen burgers.

Recipe

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Originally Published June 23, 2022. Revised and Republished June 9, 2026.