How To Cook Frozen Burgers In The Oven (4 Simple Steps)

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We’ve all been there…

The afternoon has disappeared into the evening, the kids are hangry and nothing is out for dinner.

Thank goodness for the spare pack of burger patties in the freezer!

But what if you’ve forgotten to defrost them?

What’s the best way to heat them, without ending up with a soggy mess or a rock-hard hockey puck?

Take a deep breath, and panic no more.

This will guide you through the super simple process of cooking frozen hamburger patties.

No mess, no fuss!

Advantages of Using Frozen Burger Patty

Having a pack of frozen burgers is a great weeknight, ‘oops I’ve forgotten about dinner!’ backup plan or lazy Friday night meal.

Who isn’t a burger-loving family!

With this recipe, you’ll have dinner on the table in about half an hour.

Whip up the salads and fillings while they cook, or get the kids through their homework. 

Best yet, homemade burgers are a much healthier and tastier option than takeaway.

You can fill them with lovely fresh salads, fried eggs, and bacon for a meal fit for a king.

Using the Oven to Defrost the Patties

Burgers don’t always have to be for backyard barbecue season.

They make a great mid-week tasty dinner. 

Heating frozen meats in the oven is not a great idea if you have a big, juicy piece of ribeye.

But for frozen hamburger patties, this is perfectly acceptable. 

They may take a little longer cooking time, compared to defrosted patties, but that’s it.

It’s still quicker to heat from frozen rather than waiting around for them to defrost. And we are all about a quick meal!

So How Do I Cook Frozen Burger Patties?

First of all, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line a baking tray or cookie sheet with foil, or a metal wire rack placed over a baking tray.

Easy clean-up as well as an easy dinner!

Scoop the foil up when you’re done cooking and that’s the washing up sorted. No more awful grease splats to deal with.

Lay the frozen hamburger patties out on the wire rack.

Leave a small space between them to allow the air and heat to circulate. 

Using a wire metal rack allows the excess grease and liquids to drain off, not pooling around the patty.

You’ll have delicious burgers that are healthier too.

What Temperature Should You Set The Oven for Frozen Burger Patties?

You should set the oven to 350°F to cook frozen burger patties.

Do Your Burger Patties Shrink?

Want some hot tips to stop your burger patties shrinking?

Try putting a thumbmark in the middle of your pattie. This will stop shrinkage.

Do You Need to Flip Frozen Burger Patties in The Oven?

If you are cooking the patties on a metal wire rack there’s no need to flip them.

Heat is already circulating on both sides of the burger patty.

If you are flat on a baking tray, it’s a good idea to flip halfway through cooking. That way they will cook evenly and you won’t have a soggy side and a drier side.

How Long Do I Cook The Patties in The Oven?

From frozen the patties will take around 30-40 minutes. Cook time will depend on the thickness of the patty.

There’s no need to keep checking on them, pop in the oven and set the timer. Plenty of time to be tackling other tasks.

Make sure they are cooked all the way through. Probe with a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer.

You are looking for an internal temperature of 160°F.

How Do I Know The Patties Are Cooked?

The patties will turn a lovely brown color, and be sizzling on the surface.

But, because they are cooked from frozen ground beef, it’s best to keep an eye on the internal temps.

Probe the center of the patty. You want the internal temperature to be 160°F. 

If it’s not quite there, pop them back in the oven and test in 6-7 minute increments.

Will They Taste The Same Cooked in The Oven Vs. The Grill?

While not as deliciously juicy as freshly made, frozen burger patties hold their own.

By the time you load on your extras and sauces, there is no real difference in taste.

If you want to increase the flavor factor, there are a few things you can do.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, crushed herbs, or barbecue burger seasonings.  

Better yet, brush over the patties with a little barbecue sauce.

If you want to add some incredible flavor your can try smoking your burgers. It’s just as easy as putting them in the oven.,

Want to grill frozen patties? See how to do it here.

How to Store Leftover Burger Patties

On the off chance of leftovers, store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within a couple of days.

As they have come from frozen once, it’s not recommended to freeze them again.

Recipe: Frozen Cheese Burger Patties 

Whip up this family favorite with a few simple steps!

What You Need for Burgers:

• 4-8 frozen beef patties
• Pinch of salt & pepper
• Steak seasoning
• American cheese slices
• Burger buns and fillings

How to Prepare Tray for Burger Patties

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place a wire rack on the baking sheet.
• Space the frozen hamburger patties out on the wire tray, leaving space between each one.

How to Season Burger Patties

• Season each meat patty with salt, black pepper, and steak seasoning
• Place the seasoned burgers in the oven.

How Long to Cook The Burger Patties

Bake for 30-35 minutes of cooking time. Flip halfway, if desired.

Add The Cheese to Your Burgers

• Place a slice of cheese on each burger patty.
• Cook burgers for another couple of minutes, until the cheese melts.
• Check with a food thermometer to see if the internal temperature is 160°F.

How to Serve Burgers

Remove the cheeseburgers from the oven when at the correct temperature. Serve with fresh hamburger buns and salads.

Want More Recipes for Your Oven?

Sometimes we don’t have time to fire up our grill, so here are some more easy oven recipes.

Steak Cooked in The Oven

There’s nothing quite like a classic tasty hamburger. Just the thing for busy weeknights.

Next time you’re running short of time and ideas, grab a pack of frozen burger patties. Whip up a tasty cheeseburger with little fuss. You’ll be the hero of the night!

Smoke On!

Charlie

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