Yes, You Can Grill Frozen Burgers — Here's How to Do It

Frozen ground beef patties make for a quick and economical way to make a delicious lunch for the whole family — especially during those barbecue-friendly summer months.

While using frozen beef is an easy way to get the job done, you'll want to make sure your patties don't taste like they've been sitting in the freezer.

If time allows, you can defrost the beef patties in the refrigerator before grilling. If you're in a hurry or lack the fridge space to thaw frozen burgers, you can grill the patties directly out of the freezer.

It's safe to grill frozen burgers without thawing ahead of time — but, they will take about twice as long to cook.

Preheat your grill to about 325 degrees. If you're using a charcoal grill, heat until you can comfortably hold your hand several inches above the grate for 6 or 7 seconds.

In order to prevent cross-contamination, wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after you handle the ground beef. Don't reuse any packaging materials and remember to wash all utensils with soap and water, per the USDA.

Separate your burgers and spread them out across the grill, avoiding contact with other food.

Flip your patties using the tongs every 5 minutes or so. Your burgers should be fully cooked in about 15 minutes, but check the internal temperature for doneness.

Whether or not time is on your side, try these handy techniques to defrost a frozen burger.

You can thaw your frozen burgers in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave, according to the USDA. Thawing your meat in the fridge will usually require at least a full day, depending on the amount of meat you're defrosting.

Once the beef has thawed, it's safe to eat for up to five days.

You can also submerge your package of burgers in cold water for quicker thawing, according to the USDA. Smaller amounts may thaw in an hour or less, whereas 3- to 4-pound packages can take up to three hours.

Before you submerge the meat in cold water, check that the packaging is leak-proof. Foods thawed in cold water should be cooked immediately.

A third thawing method requires your handy microwave. Using a microwave-safe container or plate, thaw the meat for several minutes at a time and check the progress frequently. Cook your meat immediately after thawing it in the microwave.