Can you barbecue frozen burgers – is it safe?
If you’re thinking of cooking frozen burgers on a gas BBQ or charcoal grill, then you’re not the only one! In short, yes, it’s completely safe to cook burgers from their frozen state on a BBQ, grill or open flame source.
Whilst it’s safe to consume grilled frozen burgers, it can lose its flavour, texture and smokey-ness to its fresh counterpart if not frozen with care (not all frozen burger patties are bad). Something to consider is that it can take up to 50% longer to cook frozen burgers than a thawed patty, so in our expert opinion, it’s always best to defrost any frozen meat!
Choosing burgers for your BBQ
Whether you’re hosting the annual garden BBQ, or heading to a friends and family summer event, you can’t go wrong with a classic burger! You can’t go wrong with something like a traditional beef burger or lamb and mint, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous like pork and chorizo, choosing the perfect frozen hamburger patties is crucial for a successful BBQ.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the world of frozen burgers.
Quality of your frozen burger
The foundation of any delicious burger lies in the quality of the patty. Look for higher welfare animal produce, high meat content and that it still remains juicy when defrosted. Some burgers you purchase online may arrive frozen, however that’s just to keep the product in as best possible condition during transit – once defrosted, they still have their great quality.
Own recipe or pre-made burgers
Getting ready for a BBQ means you’ll need to decide whether you want to buy pre-made burger patties or create a homemade blend.
Pre-made patties are convenient and come in various flavours and styles, but making your own blend allows you to customise flavours using different cuts of meat (don’t forget salt and pepper). Fun fact, here at Owton’s we’re able to produce 250 burgers every minute!
Size and thickness of your frozen burger
The size and thickness of the frozen burgers can vary how long you cook the patties for on the BBQ grill, and some sizes can make burgers taste different than others.
Thicker patties are ideal for medium-rare or medium cooking, as they retain more juices and provide a juicy, pink centre, however thinner patties cook faster (from frozen and defrosted) and are suitable for those who prefer their burgers well-done.
Special occasions
While traditional beef burgers are always a popular go-to for BBQs, consider adding variety to your plate by exploring different burger options. Steak burgers, chuck and short rib, pork and chorizo are excellent burger choices for any special occasion!
How to cook frozen burgers
Now that you know that you CAN cook frozen burgers on a BBQ grill, how do you go about it? We’ve put together this guide where our butchers share expert tips and techniques on how to cook a burger from frozen – we’ve also created a guide on how to barbecue the perfect steak!
Preparing the BBQ
Before you begin cooking your frozen burgers, it’s essential to prepare your BBQ gas grill properly.
- Firstly, you’ll want to clean the grill grates thoroughly so that any residue from previous cooking sessions has been removed – this will prevent the frozen burgers from sticking to the grates when they are first put on the grill and ensures even heat distribution.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F (190-200°C). This temperature range allows for a perfect balance between searing the burgers and cooking them evenly, especially for frozen ones.
Cooking the frozen burgers – how to long to cook frozen patties
Because you’ll be cooking from frozen, you need to pay particular attention to the temperature of the meat when you think they’re almost done, as this could lead to food poisoning if not cooked thoroughly.
- Grill the burgers for approximately 5 minutes on the initial side, then flip them over to cook the other side for 10 minutes. Continue grilling the burgers until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F/82°C.
- Cooking frozen burgers on the grill typically ranges from 15 to 20 minutes in total, although the exact duration will vary based on the thickness of the burger patties. This time will be reduced if you choose to thaw frozen burgers first.
