If you forgot to thaw your meat—it happens to the best of us—you’re probably wondering if you can put those frozen burgers on a gas grill. You’re in luck because grilling up frozen burgers is absolutely possible, and if you do it right, still delicious!
Transforming those hard-as-stone patties into perfectly juicy burgers isn’t difficult, but you’ll need to adjust your approach. Of course, the obvious solution is to thaw the patties before grilling, but sometimes waiting just isn’t possible. We get it.
As long as your frozen burgers are already portioned and shaped, you shouldn’t run into any problems as you cook frozen burgers on a grill. If you pulled a pack of ground beef out of the freezer, some thawing time is going to be necessary—no way around that!
The basic concept of grilling up frozen burgers is straightforward: apply heat to the meat. But if you really want to unleash your inner grill master, follow these tips.
1. Separate the Patties
If you somehow had the genius foresight to separate your burger patties before freezing them, well done! If not, you’re going to need to do a little handiwork before you light up the grill.
If you have a sturdy spatula kicking around, wedge the edge between each patty and apply force (carefully). If that doesn’t work, before putting frozen burgers on a grill, place them in a sealed plastic bag in your sink and let warm water flow on them for a few minutes.
2. Don’t Season Just Yet
Usually, you’d season your burger meat before cooking, but that’s not the case with frozen burgers on a gas grill. Those frigid rigid patties aren’t going to retain any of that seasoning, so hold off for now.
The right time to season frozen burger patties is after they’ve sat on the grill for a few minutes and are starting to get a little juicy. Right before flipping, add your salt, pepper, and any other seasonings, and then season the other side, too.
3. Pay Attention to Temperature
Cooking frozen burgers on a grill requires some finesse. You’ll want to start with medium heat, around 325°-450° F, so you can make sure the patties cook evenly all the way through. Then, finish it by searing at higher temperatures around 500°F.
If you start off cooking too hot, you run the risk of scorching the outside before the inside has a chance to reach the desired temperature. If you don’t cook hot enough, you could end up with mushy burgers.
Achieving this balance can be tricky, but FlavrQ makes it easy. Simply, cook your frozen hamburgers over a portion of your grill without Charcoal Chips™. When you are ready to sear, slide the hamburgers over glowing Charcoal Chips™ to seal the juices in.
So, watch your burgers closely. To be absolutely sure that they’re cooked to your desired doneness level, use a meat thermometer. Remember, when cooking frozen burgers on a grill, the outer layer can be deceiving. It can look fully cooked, but raw inside.
Burger Temperature Chart
If you use a thermometer when cooking frozen burgers on a gas grill, you’ll be 100% positive that your burgers are both safe and delicious.
It’s worth noting that the USDA recommends cooking ground beef to 160°F, which is well done. Of course, not everyone follows those guidelines, but it’s something to keep in mind.
- Medium-Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 145°F
- Medium-Well: 150-155°F
- Well-Done: 160°F+
4. Finish with a Sear
Gas grills give you a lot of control over temperature. While they don’t get as hot as charcoal, you should still be able to get the job done.
When cooking frozen burgers on a grill, finishing the meat with a beautiful, golden-brown sear is crucial. However, not all gas grills are able to reach the extreme temperatures needed to caramelize the meat’s exterior into a flame-kissed crust with appetizing flash marks.
That’s where FlavrQ comes in. Our patented grilling system offers some major upgrades for gas grill users. Not only do you get authentic charcoal-grilled flavor, but FlavrQ-equipped gas grills can reach temperatures 100°+ hotter than before.
That extra 100° makes a huge difference, making it possible to sear and seal food 50% faster—a major benefit when cooking frozen burgers on a gas grill
Transform Your Backyard BBQs with FlavrQ
Whether you’re cooking frozen burgers on a grill to satisfy a personal craving or treat the whole neighborhood to a cookout, your grill can make or break the success of your grilling session. FlavrQ enhances your grill’s performance (and the food that comes off it) in a number of ways.
FlavrQ:
- Delivers rich, bold charcoal-grilled flavor.
- Increases gas grill temperature by over 100°F for searing and sealing food.
- Improves radiant heat distribution when grilling with gas.
- Uses all-natural fuel for healthier food and better air quality.
- Is more efficient and easier to clean.
Taste the Difference
You don’t need to be cooking frozen burgers on a grill to appreciate our game-changing gas grill accessories. Anything that hits your gas grill will taste better and have an improved texture—it’s that simple!
Our grilling system uses the FlavrQ Grid and our patented Charcoal Chips™. The Grid is a stainless steel insert that installs in seconds with no tools or permanent modifications to your gas grill. Charcoal Chips™ is an all-natural, chemical-free fuel derived from Canadian sugar maple wood.
Explore our Patented Grilling System Now
Whether showcasing your culinary mastery with the ultimate NY Strip Steak, or just tossing a few frozen burgers on a gas grill, FlavrQ will elevate your taste buds to a new level.
Ready to teach your old grill new tricks? Order the FlavrQ Starter Kit to unlock your gas grill’s full potential, and check out our BBQ blog for more expert grilling tips and techniques. Boost your Q with FlavrQ!