The next time dinner is required in a pinch, a quick stop at your freezer is all it takes. You might find leftovers, convenient but unhealthy frozen dinners, or meat, which could include frozen hamburger patties – a family favorite.
Before you veto the hamburger idea because you don’t have the defrosting time, rest assured that burgers can be cooked from frozen and still taste great. So go ahead and cancel the fast-food drive-thru run. Instead, save money and time by chowing down at home with frozen hamburger patties you can cook in no time.
Why Use Frozen Patties?
While fresh is certainly better when it comes to meat, don't let that box of frozen burgers scare you away from preparing a great dinner. This is especially true for busy people who are running late for a night class or soccer practice and need to choose convenience over anything else.
That’s where frozen meals – frozen burgers, especially – come in handy. And with your choice of one of these three cooking methods, dinner will be served in a snap. Once the burger hits around 160°F internally, they are done.
In the Oven
The oven is a great choice for heating up frozen food, and the food requires very little supervision compared to frying on the stove.
Start by preheating the oven to 400°F; cover a baking sheet with foil. While you can lay burgers right on the baking sheet, a better method is to line the pan with a wire baking rack or boiler pan so the grease cooks down to the bottom of the pan and away from the burgers. This helps makes things a little healthier, and the foil makes cleanup easy.
Next, lay the burgers on the pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they're done to your preference. If you want to add cheese, turn them over, add the cheese, and cook for 5 more minutes.
On the Grill
You can grill in the wintertime too, but there is nothing like grilling up some burgers on a hot, sunny day. Barebecues are what it’s all about.
To start, make sure you remove the paper separators if you are using frozen burgers from a box. Next, fire up the grill and let it heat up. Add the frozen patties and flip them every 3 to5minutes.
If you don't have a gas or charcoal grill, the Cuisinart Griddler is a great alternative.
In a Pan
You may be used to frying meals on the stovetop, whether it’s eggs or a stir-fry, and frozen burgers sizzle up just as easily.
Simply take out the pan of your choice and let it preheat on the stove to medium heat for a few minutes. You can add some oil to prevent sticking and get a good char on the burger.
Place the frozen hamburger patties on the heated skillet and let them cook for at least 6 minutes or to your cooking preference. Flip them using a spatula and follow the same steps for the other side.
With the ease of cooking burgers from frozen, the only thing you have to worry about is which delicious side to pair with them. Onion rings, anyone?
References
Writer Bio
Sarah is a multi-platform writer and editor. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Vital Proteins, Healthline, Diply, and more. When she's not writing, she's trying to keep up with her border collie, Emmy.