How to Freeze Hamburger Patties
Learn how to freeze hamburger patties the easy way! Stock your freezer with juicy, homemade burgers for quick dinners, cookouts, and busy weeknights.
We love making our own hamburger patties in bulk and freezing them is hands-down the easiest way to prep them for future use. Having frozen burgers ready to go means no frantic last-minute trips to the grocery store, no arguing with the kids over dinner plans, and no sacrificing flavor for convenience.
Whether you’re prepping for a last-minute BBQ or just planning ahead for quick dinners, knowing how to freeze your own homemade burgers is a total game-changer. It only takes a few simple steps and, trust me, future-you will thank you!
Picture this: it’s a busy weeknight, and the family’s hungry. Instead of scrambling for dinner ideas, you pull perfectly prepped patties from the freezer, and whip up a meal in no time.
Dinner crisis averted! Add a side of Caesar salad, potato salad, or French fries to your burgers and everyone will be raving.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Homemade burger patties are the secret to juicy burgers packed with flavor. Freezing them properly ensures they stay fresh and delicious, giving you a head start on a meal any day of the week.
They also cook up beautifully, whether on the grill, in the oven, or sizzling in a skillet on the stovetop. This simple method works for beef, ground turkey, or even veggie patties, and keeps your burgers freezer-ready for up to three months without compromising taste or texture.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a freezer full of meals prepped for busy weeknights, backyard BBQs, or those times the kids bring home their whole friend group without warning (teenagers, right?).
More Hamburger Recipes
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- The Best Hamburger Patty Recipe
- Chimichurri Burger Recipe
- How to Bake Hamburgers
- Breakfast Burger Recipe
- Smoked Burger Recipe
- Mushroom Swiss Burgers
- BBQ Hamburger Recipe
- Skillet Hamburgers
- Bacon Wrapped Burgers
- How to Freeze Hamburger Patties
Be sure to check out these 20+ Must Try Hamburger Recipes too!
How to Freeze Hamburger Patties
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Supplies
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Airtight container or freezer bags
Ingredients
- Hamburger patties – This recipe for homemade hamburger patties is the one we use all the time. It’s packed with flavor, made with simple pantry staples, and freezes beautifully.
Instructions
1. Cut or tear parchment paper or wax paper into 4-inch squares.
2. Make this recipe for homemade hamburger patties using ground beef, onion, eggs, bread crumbs, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
Tip: Use a kitchen scale to weigh balls of the ground meat mixture to ensure even portions.
3. Form the beef into patties. A hamburger press makes it super easy.
4. Place patties onto individual pieces of parchment or wax paper.
5. Stack the patties, making sure to have a layer of parchment or wax paper between each one.
6. Place your burger stack into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, pressing out as much air as possible.
7. Store them flat in your freezer for up to three months.
How To Defrost Hamburgers
For best results, keep the patties sealed in their freezer-safe storage containers and place into cold water to defrost for 30–60 minutes.
Once the meat has defrosted, cook over medium-high heat in a skillet, bake on a baking sheet at 350°F for 25 minutes, or grill for 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Tips and Tricks
- Keep seasoning light before freezing your burger patties; add BBQ sauce, cheese, bacon, or sautéed onions after cooking for more flavor.
- Press the air out of your freezer bags to prevent ice crystals from forming on the patties.
- Flash freeze patties in a single layer first, then stack once solid to maintain shape.
- Cover patties with a second layer of freezer paper or aluminum foil to help prevent freezer burn.
- Add a label to your containers. Note the date and type of burger (like turkey burgers or lean beef) for easy meal planning.
- Store leftover cooked patties in the refrigerator for up to one week.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Hamburgers?
- Hamburgers can be cooked in a slow cooker on high for 5 hours or low for 7-9 hours.
- Patties may be placed in an air fryer basket and cooked for 9-11 minutes at 350°F.
- Hamburger patties can be cooked on a charcoal grill grate for 12-15 minutes.
- Smoked hamburgers take 2 hours to cook when smoked at 165°F.
- Baked hamburgers in the oven take about 25 minutes at 400°F.
Once the burgers are cooked, grab the hamburger buns, and load them up with your favorite toppings. These are some of my family’s favorite options. So yummy!
Hamburger Toppings Ideas
- Keep it classic with ketchup, mustard, mayo, and relish.
- Go cheesy with cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, or Swiss.
- Try savory toppings like skillet mushrooms and sautéed onions.
- Add freshness with red onion, sliced tomato, and lettuce.
- Take it over the top with crispy bacon, a slice of cheese, and BBQ Sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook frozen hamburger patties without thawing them first?
Absolutely! Frozen patties can go straight onto the grill, into a skillet, air fryer, or oven. Simply add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
How do you defrost hamburger patties?
For best results, defrost in cold water while still sealed in their freezer bags. They’ll be ready in 30 minutes to an hour.
How long do frozen hamburger patties last in the freezer?
Properly wrapped and stored hamburger patties maintain their best quality for up to 3-4 months. They remain safe longer if kept continuously frozen, but flavor and texture are best within that timeframe.
How do you keep hamburger patties from sticking together in the freezer?
Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each patty before stacking. This makes it easy to separate and remove only the number of burgers you need.
Is it better to freeze hamburger patties raw or cooked?
Most people prefer freezing patties raw because they retain more moisture and flavor when cooked later. Cooked patties can also be frozen and reheated for quick meals.
What’s the best way to avoid freezer burn?
Remove as much air as possible from freezer bags, use airtight containers, and separate patties with parchment paper. Double-wrap for extra protection.
With these simple tricks, you’re always just minutes away from the perfect homemade hamburgers. So stock your freezer, fire up the grill, and get ready for burger bliss whenever the craving hits!
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How to Freeze Hamburger Patties
Ingredients
- 12 hamburger patties This recipe for homemade hamburger patties is the one we use all the time.
Instructions
- Cut or tear parchment paper or wax paper into 4" squares.
- Make our homemade hamburger patties recipe.
- Form the beef into patties.
- Place each hamburger patty onto a piece of parchment paper.
- Stack the patties, making sure to have a layer of wax paper between each one.
- Place the patties into an airtight container to freeze.
- Put the container in the freezer and freeze for up to three months.
Notes
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh balls of the beef mixture to ensure that the patties are about the same size.
- Our homemade hamburger patty recipe is the best one to use.
- Keep seasoning light before freezing your burger patties; add BBQ sauce, cheese, bacon, or sautéed onions after cooking for more flavor.
- Press the air out of your freezer bags to prevent ice crystals from forming on the patties.
- Flash freeze patties in a single layer first, then stack once solid to maintain shape.
- Cover patties with a second layer of freezer paper or aluminum foil to help prevent freezer burn.
- Add a label to your containers. Note the date and type of burger (like turkey burgers or lean beef) for easy meal planning.
- Store leftover cooked patties in the refrigerator for up to one week.
