These Grilled Turkey Burgers are an easy summer meal that is make ahead and freezer friendly! The perfect healthy meal prep dinner for summer, and loaded with flavor!
If I can work once and have several meals for throughout the summer that I can just grab and cook? That’s my idea of a relaxing summer!
Healthy, homemade grilled turkey burgers are on my list of must haves and the fact that they’re freezer friendly doesn’t hurt either!
Load them up with barbecue sauce, cheese slices, tomatoes, lettuce, grilled pineapple slices even and they are one of our favorite easy dinner ideas for a hot day out on the deck, along with these Hawaiian Chicken Burgers and this Grilled Cheeseburger Pizza.
We love serving them all up with one of these Pasta Salad Recipes for an easy summer dinner.
Turkey burgers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to beef burgers. With their leaner fat content and versatility, turkey burgers make for a nutritious choice. However, preparing fresh turkey burgers can be time consuming This leads many home cooks to wonder – can you freeze turkey burgers?
The good news is, yes you absolutely can freeze turkey burgers successfully! Both raw and cooked turkey burgers freeze well for 2-3 months when stored properly. Follow these tips for freezing, thawing, and cooking turkey burgers while maintaining safety and maximizing flavor.
How to Freeze Raw or Cooked Turkey Burgers
Freezing raw turkey burgers is ideal to preserve texture and moisture. To freeze:
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Shape ground turkey into patties and season as desired. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper.
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Freeze until hard and firm, about 1-2 hours. Quick freezing individually prevents patties from sticking together.
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Once frozen, wrap each turkey burger patty tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn.
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Place wrapped patties in a freezer bag or airtight container, removing excess air. Label bag with contents and freeze date.
Cooked turkey burgers can also be frozen, but they may dry out more when reheated later. For best results:
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Cook turkey burger patties until just slightly underdone, about 80% cooked through. Let cool completely before freezing.
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Wrap each cooked patty individually in foil or plastic wrap. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to bags.
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Freeze cooked turkey burgers for up to 3 months at 0°F or below. Use freezer bags or airtight containers.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Burgers Successfully
Follow these best practices when freezing turkey burgers for quality and freshness:
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Avoid overhandling the ground turkey when shaping patties to prevent dense texture.
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Chill raw patties in the refrigerator before freezing for easier handling.
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Use parchment paper or freezer-safe plastic wrap to protect against freezer burn. Eliminate air exposure.
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Label turkey burger packages clearly with contents and freeze date.
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Defrost frozen turkey burgers overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Patty thickness should be 3/4 – 1 inch for even cooking when thawed.
How Long Do Turkey Burgers Last in the Freezer?
At a consistent 0°F temperature, frozen raw or cooked turkey burgers maintain optimal quality and taste for 2-3 months.
For best flavor and texture, use frozen turkey burgers within 2 months. After 3-4 months, frozen burgers are more prone to suffering freezer burn and moisture loss.
Portioning patties and minimizing air exposure gives turkey burgers the longest freezer life. Check for signs of freezer burn before use if stored over 3 months.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Burgers
Always thaw frozen turkey burgers gradually in the refrigerator. Leave them wrapped and allow to thaw overnight in the fridge for at least 12-24 hours before cooking.
Microwaving or thawing turkey burgers at room temperature can lead to unsafe bacterial growth. Cook thawed turkey burgers within 1-2 days.
Once thawed fully in the fridge, turkey burgers can go straight from refrigerator to grill, skillet, or oven for cooking. Pat dry with paper towels first.
How to Cook Frozen Turkey Burgers Safely
While technically you can cook frozen turkey burgers straight from the freezer, this is not recommended. Frozen centers require longer cook times, leading to overdone exteriors.
For food safety, ground turkey patties should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Frozen burgers take much longer to fully cook through.
Instead, defrost turkey burger patties fully in the refrigerator before grilling, pan-frying, baking, or broiling to the proper internal temperature. This allows for even cooking.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Turkey Burgers?
Refreezing thawed turkey burgers is not recommended for food safety. Thawed ground meat left at temperatures above 40°F for over 2 hours should not be refrozen.
However, if turkey burger patties are still partially frozen with ice crystals intact or have been thawed in fridge for less than 1-2 days, they can be safely refrozen.
Refreezing will diminish quality though. For best flavor and texture, cook fully thawed turkey burgers within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze after thawing.
Tips for Freezing Homemade Turkey Burgers
Homemade turkey burgers freeze just as well as store-bought! Follow these tips:
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Use high quality lean ground turkey with minimal fat content. Excess fat causes sogginess.
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Incorporate breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning to help bind and distribute flavor.
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Shape 4-6 oz portions into patties about 3/4 – 1 inch thick. Avoid overworking meat.
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Flash freeze patties in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags.
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Wrap each turkey burger tightly before freezing. Use freezer-safe materials like plastic wrap.
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Freeze homemade turkey burger patties for 1-2 months for best moisture and texture.
Can You Grill Frozen Turkey Burgers?
You should always thaw turkey burgers fully before attempting to grill them. Putting frozen patties directly on a hot grill risks burning the exterior before the interior cooks through.
Instead, defrost turkey burgers overnight in the fridge. Then cook over medium heat on the grill, flipping once, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Baste with sauce at the end if desired.
Grilling fully thawed turkey burgers helps ensure food safety and evenly cooked patties. Only grill burgers that have thawed completely in the refrigerator.
Storing Cooked Turkey Burgers
Cooked turkey burgers that have been refrigerated properly in sealed containers last 3-4 days in the fridge. Tightly wrap or place in airtight containers when storing cooked patties.
For freezing, wrap cooked turkey burgers individually in plastic wrap and foil before placing in freezer bags. Label with date and contents.
Cooked and frozen turkey burgers stay good for 2-3 months when stored at 0°F or below. Reheat fully to 165°F before consuming for food safety.
Freezing is an excellent way to save time and always have tasty turkey burgers ready to cook anytime. Follow proper methods for freezing, thawing, and storing turkey burgers to maximize freshness and flavor.
With the right techniques, frozen turkey burgers can taste just as delicious as fresh when you’re ready to enjoy them!
How to make grilled turkey burgers:
- Put your ground turkey, seasonings, barbecue sauce, egg and bread crumbs into a big bowl and mix it up just until combined — don’t overmix!
- Shape your burgers — be sure to make your patties a little larger than your buns because they will shrink up on the grill as they cook.
- Place your patties on a parchment lined plate or baking sheet and pop in the freezer for 20-40 minutes — I find this helps them to keep their shape and not fall apart on the grill. It’s not totally necessary, but you’ll have to be a little more careful with the flipper if you don’t give them a bit of a chill.
- Grill for 5-6 minutes per side, until browned and the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
- Serve!
Are turkey burgers healthier than beef burgers?
If you know me, you know I am not one to say things like this, although I do love to lighten up my favorite comfort foods so I can enjoy them more often.
I feel like ground turkey and lean ground beef are nearly equal in calories, fat and protein but I still like switching up my beef burgers with turkey burgers every now and then just for something different!
Both turkey and beef (and yes, even chicken!) have a lot of great things to offer and are all healthy choices.
Just for reference, these turkey burgers have ????? calories, fat, protein, but what you serve them with definitely needs to be taken into consideration!
How To Package and Freeze Turkey Burgers
FAQ
Can you freeze already cooked turkey burgers?
That’s my idea of a relaxing summer! Healthy, homemade grilled turkey burgers are on my list of must haves and the fact that they’re freezer friendly doesn’t hurt either!
How long can uncooked turkey burgers stay in the freezer?
No matter which strategy you choose, remember to write the date of storage before freezing it—ground turkey meat may last up to 3 to 4 months when frozen from the date of purchase.
How do you thaw frozen turkey burgers?
- Never thaw meat at room temperature: This can lead to bacteria growth.
- Cold water method: If using cold water, ensure the turkey burgers are in a leak-proof bag and change the water frequently to maintain a cold temperature.
- Cook immediately after thawing: Once thawed, do not refreeze the turkey burgers; cook them thoroughly.
Can turkey burgers be cooked from frozen?
- Lightly oil a non-stick skillet
- Cook frozen burgers over medium heat
- Cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F