Want to make the perfect burgers, but your only option at the moment is to cook from frozen? Ideally, we’d all love to satisfy our burger cravings with a restaurant-quality burger. However, when money is tight, or you just don’t have the time to whip up a burger from scratch, frozen beef patties are your best option.
Frozen burgers may not be as popular as fresh burgers, but with a few simple ingredients, you’d be surprised how easily your frozen patty will boost in flavor and texture! Whether you cook them on a hot grill, on the stovetop, or in the oven, we’ve got the secrets for the most flavorful, juicy burgers. Keep reading to learn more!
What are frozen hamburgers made of?
Frozen hamburgers are primarily made of beef but can sometimes contain chicken and pork. Soy is another ingredient commonly found in frozen hamburgers and is a filler agent.
How to Make Frozen Burgers
How you cook your frozen burgers depends on the kind of flavor and texture you’re going for. Grilling your burger, for instance, will give you those nice grill marks and add a slightly smokey flavor, while pan-frying your burger will make for a crispy outside and juicy, flavorful inside.
On the Stove
Stovetop burgers are great because you can get tasty burgers in a short cooking time.
To cook your frozen burgers on the stove, add a bit of oil to a pan set on medium-high heat. Then season your patties and allow them to cook on the pan for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Repeat until a crispy outside has formed (about 15 minutes). Remove from the pan, assemble, and serve!
On the Grill
Grilling your burgers will add a nice smokey flavor that you just can’t recreate with other cooking methods.
First, season your burgers and place them on the grill, flipping every 3 to 5 minutes. If any flare-ups occur, move the burgers to a safe area until the fire tames down. Continue flipping your patties and cook for 20 minutes. Then, assemble, serve and enjoy!
In the Oven
Although unconventional, the oven is excellent for making delicious burgers.
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Place a baking rack on top of the baking sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Next, season your burgers and place them on the metal wire rack. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Season the second side and continue cooking. When done, serve and enjoy your burgers!
How to Make Frozen Burgers Better
There’s a lot you can do with the most basic frozen burgers. All it takes is some creativity and a bit of problem-solving! Luckily, I’ve done all the trial and error for you, so you can just skip to the good part: making the most flavorful burgers.
Thaw It Out
Don’t want to cook frozen burgers? Then thaw them! Submerge them in cold water for 30 minutes or thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then when you’re ready to cook them, you’ll have perfectly thawed ground beef that you can easily season and add to for more flavor.
Brush With Oil
It’s challenging to get the seasoning to stick to frozen patties. But with a bit of oil, your desired seasonings will stick to your burger much easier. Spraying with cooking spray is also a great hack!
Add Sauce/Condiments
It’s a no-brainer that sauces and condiments complete a burger. Without it, you’ll have a burger that can taste dry and bland. Sauces like BBQ, mustard, mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire, and various aiolis will take your burger to a whole new level.
Add Salt
When in doubt, add more salt. Adding a heavier amount of salt right before the cheese goes on will make up for the blander flavor of the frozen patties.
Season It Up
There are a lot of seasonings that enhance the taste of frozen burgers. My favorites are garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, chili powder, Montreal steak seasoning, mesquite seasoning, and good ol’ salt and pepper.
Add Butter
Fat always makes meat taste better! Mix some grated frozen butter in your thawed ground beef for tender, juicier burgers!
Add Toppings
Just like sauce, your burger can’t be complete without a topping or two. You can go classic and do cheese, pickles, and onions, or switch it up with some jalapenos, crispy bacon, egg, or avocado!
Use High-Quality Cheese
Ditch the processed American cheese for more delectable cheeses like old cheddar, swiss, feta, or blue cheese.
Toast Your Buns
A slightly crispy, toasted bun can take your burger-eating experience up a notch. Go the extra mile and make your own homemade buns for an even better taste.
Add Mushrooms
Mushrooms pair super well with meat. They add another dimension of flavor and texture that is unmatched. Simply get saute some mushrooms down with oil, red wine, and dijon. Then cook up your patty in the remnants.
FAQs
Can you cook burgers straight from frozen?
Yes! Cooking your burgers from frozen just takes a little longer to cook, but you won’t miss out on any flavor. Just be sure they are cooked to 160°F through the center.
How do you quickly thaw frozen burgers?
If cooking your frozen burgers was a last-minute decision, don’t worry! You can thaw half a pound of beef patties in cold water for 30 minutes. Just place the patties in a leak-proof sealable bag and submerge them in cold water.
When should I season frozen hamburger patties?
Since these patties are frozen, you’ll need to season them after the first flip on the grill/pan. This will help the seasoning to stick for a more flavorful burger.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the frozen burgers fool you. Your beef patties will taste delicious with the proper cooking method and additional ingredients. So next time you have burger night, follow some of these tips. You’ll be surprised at how fresh and delicious your frozen burgers taste.