Why Your Frozen Burger Patties Aren't As Juicy As The Fresh Stuff

Grilling out is made easy with frozen premade burgers. Having those perfectly shaped patties in the freezer ready to go when you are eliminates the hassle of doing all the prep work yourself. However, with the benefits of convenience foods come tradeoffs. You may have noticed that these discs of frozen meat are not as juicy as the fresh ones. That's because you are cooking them at the wrong temperature. To get that homemade texture, set your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is 350 the optimal temperature for frozen burgers? These patties are built differently. Frozen hamburger patties were created to go from the freezer to the grill. This means you do not need to thaw them. In fact, if you do, you will end up with a dry burger. But it also means they need a lower heat and a longer cook time. If you don't trust the process, set your grill to anything under 325, and you will feel like you are chewing paper when you bite into your burger. Anything higher, and the outside will burn while the center remains undercooked. To put it in Goldilocks' terms: 350 degrees is just right. This temperature is going to give you the exterior crust that your chompers want to sink into, along with an even cook so the center isn't raw.

How long do you cook a frozen burger on the grill? It depends. A quarter-pound burger will cook quicker than a half-pound burger, needing roughly seven minutes per side. A half-pound burger can require as much as 11 minutes per side. You are looking for the ground beef to have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. But don't rely on looks alone. Break out the digital cooking thermometer and insert it into the center of the patty to determine if it is done.

If you are a fan of cooking your frozen patties on the stovetop in a cast iron pan, you want to set your heat to medium-high. Place the burgers in the pan once it has heated up and allow them to cook for five minutes before flipping to allow the other side of the burger to cook for another five minutes. Resist the urge to press down on the patties, or you will push out the moisture that makes for that nice and juicy bite. Additionally, if you want to make the best cheeseburger hands down, do it like the pros. Add that slice of cheddar or Monterey Jack during the final minute of cooking, and cover the pan with foil. This will give it the perfect melt for a perfectly juicy burger.