A Beginner's Question: Can You Cook Burgers From Frozen

When your frozen burgers are still in the freezer and you want to enjoy them immediately, is direct cooking possible? This question troubles many food lovers, let's find the answers together.

Can you cook burgers from frozen safely?

You can make burgers directly from frozen patties with confidence. Here are three key tips for everyone:

Pan-frying version:

Put the frozen patty directly into the pan and fry it over medium-low heat for 4 minutes on each side. Gently press the center with a spatula during the process. If the oozing meat juice becomes transparent, it means the inside is cooked through. It's safer to cover the pan and let it simmer for 2 minutes. This can prevent the outside from burning while the inside is still raw and also lock in the meat juice.

Oven-baking version:

Preheat the oven to 190 °C in advance. Place the patty on the grill and bake for 20 - 25 minutes. When flipping it halfway, use the tip of a knife to make a small cut at the thickest part of the patty to check. Turn off the heat only when it has completely turned grayish-brown. It is recommended to use a thermometer for detection. The safest condition is when the internal temperature reaches 71 °C.

Note that never fry the frozen patty over high heat. When the outer layer becomes charred too quickly, the inside may still be in an icy state.

How much longer does it take to cook frozen burgers?

Specific comparison of cooking times:

Fresh burger meat: 4 - 5 minutes per side

Frozen burger meat: 7 - 8 minutes per side

Extra time for different cooking methods:

Pan-frying: 6 - 8 minutes more than fresh meat

Oven baking: An additional 8 - 10 minutes

Barbecuing: 5 - 7 minutes more than fresh meat

It should be especially noted that the thickness will affect the cooking time. Generally speaking:

Standard thickness (about 1 cm): Total cooking time is 14 - 16 minutes

Thickened version (over 1.5 cm): 18 - 20 minutes are required

The most practical advice is: Don't rely solely on time. Instead, use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature, which is the most accurate.

What temperature should frozen burgers be cooked at?

When frying in a pan: Drop the patty when a drop of water on the pan bottom vaporizes instantly (about 180°C), then turn to medium-low heat to maintain a temperature of 150°C.

For baking in an oven, preheat the oven to 200°C in advance, and place the patty on the middle rack to form a circulating hot air.

When grilling outdoors, spread the charcoal so that one side is thicker and the other is thinner. The thicker area (230°C) is used to lock in the juice, and the thinner area (180°C) is used for slow baking.

When the patty is more than 2 centimeters thick, I add 1 spoonful of water and cover the pan after both sides are charred. The steam can help the center of the patty heat up faster. As the grill is prone to local overheating, remember to rotate the patty 90 degrees every 2 minutes. Let the "diamond grill marks" be a sign of even heating.

Is it better to thaw burgers before cooking?

It is more reliable to thaw hamburger patties before frying them. This is the conclusion I've drawn from repeated tests. But if you're short on time, there are still ways to make it work.

Frozen patties tend to get charred on the outside and raw on the inside when cooked directly in the pan, especially if the patty is more than 1.5 centimeters thick. I suggest transferring the patties to the refrigerator for slow thawing 12 hours in advance. This can keep the meat firm and prevent excessive moisture from coming out during frying.

Remember to pat the surface dry with kitchen paper before frying, sprinkle some salt and let it sit for 5 minutes. A beautiful Maillard reaction will occur on the surface of the patty.

Don't panic if there's not enough time to thaw. Use a cast-iron pan and fry it over medium-low heat with the lid on. Fry each side for an extra minute and let it sit for 3 minutes after turning off the heat. Remember not to flip it too frequently throughout the process. It's safer to use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 71°C.

Although the patties cooked this way are not as juicy as thawed ones, at least it ensures they are fully cooked and not raw in the middle.

How do you know when frozen burgers are fully cooked?

Using a meat thermometer, once the temperature reaches 71°C, it indicates that the burger is fully cooked.

In addition to this, I'll share a few more tips:

When frying, the juice seeping from the edge of the patty changes from bright red to transparent brown;

When you gently press the surface with a spatula, there is no elastic feeling of raw meat;

After cutting, the cross-section shows a uniform grayish-brown color without pink blood streaks.

Note that frozen patties need to be fried 2 - 3 minutes longer than thawed ones. Covering the pan during the process can help the heat penetrate.

Finally, I'd like to remind everyone: never repeatedly pierce the patty to check the doneness! This will cause the meat juice to drain out. Thawed patties should be fried for 3 minutes on each side, while frozen ones should start at 5 minutes. Adjust the specific time according to the thickness.

Should you season frozen burgers before cooking?

The best time to season is after thawing in the refrigerator.

Put the frozen hamburger patties in the refrigerator 12 hours in advance. When the center is slightly soft but still cool to the touch, gently pat both sides with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

At this time, the meat absorbs moisture again, and the salt grains can slowly penetrate without damaging the fiber structure. Remember, just like seasoning a steak, let it sit for 5 minutes after seasoning before putting it in the pan.

If there's really no time to thaw, season after frying to form a charred layer.

When a golden and crispy crust forms on the first side, quickly sprinkle on garlic powder or smoked paprika, and immediately flip it over to lock in the aroma with the high temperature. This method is especially suitable for pairing with cheese. The melted milk aroma of the cheese can compensate for the lack of seasoning.

The only spices that can be used in the frozen state are whole fennel seeds or Sichuan peppercorns. These large-grained spices won't be absorbed by the ice crystals. Instead, they can release a complex aroma during frying.