If you want to make a quick and easy dinner that everyone will enjoy, baking frozen burgers is the way to go! You don’t even have to let the burgers thaw, and there is almost no mess! Add your favorite toppings (the recipe for my secret sauce is on the recipe card!) and everyone will be happy.
The answer to your question of whether or not you could cook frozen burgers is YES!!!! I LOVE cooking frozen burgers this way, and this recipe has saved me many times on busy weeknights.
Add some salt and pepper to your frozen burger patties, and then bake them for about 20 minutes… With that much time, you can make your favorite burger toppings and air fry some sweet potato fries.
If you need to cook other meats from frozen, don’t worry! These Oven Baked Pork Chops are delicious and can be cooked from frozen! You can also quickly cook frozen chicken breast in the air fryer.
Frozen turkey burgers can be a quick, easy, and healthy meal solution. But to get the best results when baking frozen turkey burgers, there are some tips and tricks you’ll want to keep in mind. Follow this guide for bake frozen turkey burgers that turn out moist and flavorful every time.
Choosing the Right Frozen Turkey Burger
When buying frozen turkey burgers you’ll want to look for a couple of things
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Lean turkey meat Choose turkey burgers made from ground, lean turkey breast meat rather than ground turkey that contains skin and dark meat The extra fat from skin and dark meat can lead to dry burgers
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Minimal additives: Opt for turkey burgers with short ingredients lists, avoiding burgers with a lot of fillers, preservatives, and stabilizers. Simple is best.
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Individually frozen: Turkey burgers that are individually frozen with wax paper between each patty will be easier to separate. Check that burgers haven’t frozen together in a block.
Once you’ve found high-quality frozen turkey burgers, proper thawing and baking technique will give you the best results.
Thaw Before Baking
Always thaw frozen turkey burgers before cooking. Thawing allows the patties to cook evenly, prevents a burnt outside and raw inside, and leads to a juicier burger.
There are a few thawing options:
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Refrigerator: Place frozen patties in a single layer on a plate and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This is the safest thawing method.
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Cold water: Place frozen patties in a zip top bag and submerge in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Takes about 1 hour.
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Microwave: Use the defrost setting to thaw frozen patties 5 minutes on each side. This can lead to uneven cooking so isn’t recommended.
Thawed turkey burgers can keep in the fridge 3-4 days before cooking.
Prep the Baking Sheet
A rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper makes baking turkey burgers easy. The lined pan prevents sticking and catches any drips for fast clean up.
Lightly brush the lined pan with oil or spray with nonstick spray. This helps promote even browning.
Arrange Burgers Evenly on the Sheet
Place thawed turkey burger patties in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Leave at least 1 inch between each patty to allow air flow for even cooking. Having patties too close together can cause steaming instead of browning.
Season the Burgers
For flavorful turkey burgers, season the patties before baking. Some easy seasoning options include:
- Salt and pepper
- Chili powder or taco seasoning
- Poultry seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Onion powder and garlic powder
Brush each patty with a little oil or spray with nonstick spray before seasoning so the spices stick. Season both sides.
Bake at 375°F
Preheat your oven to 375°F. This temperature prevents overcooking while still producing a nice browned exterior.
Place the baking sheet with seasoned turkey patties in the preheated oven.
Bake Time
Bake for 5-7 minutes per side, flipping burgers halfway through. Burgers are done when they register 165°F internally.
Thinner patties may take only 8-12 minutes total while thicker burgers can take 14-16 minutes. Monitor with a meat thermometer.
If adding cheese, top burgers with sliced cheese during the last 1-2 minutes of baking so it melts.
Let Rest before Serving
Once baked, remove turkey burgers from the oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to re-distribute for a juicier burger.
Serve baked turkey burgers on buns with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, salsa, and condiments.
More Tips for Baked Turkey Burgers
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Brush patties with barbecue sauce or ranch dressing the last 5 minutes for added flavor.
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For seasoned breadcrumbs, combine panko with dried herbs before coating patties.
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Cook burgers from frozen by extending bake time 5 minutes per side at 375°F.
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Add crushed garlic to patties or make a garlic mayo topping for extra flavor.
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Top turkey burgers with sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, bacon, fried egg for hearty options.
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Bake turkey burger patties, crumble and add to salads for a protein boost.
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Make your own turkey burger mixture adding spices and mix-ins like spinach, feta, sun-dried tomatoes.
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Replace half the turkey meat with finely chopped mushrooms for a juicy, meaty texture.
With high-quality frozen turkey patties and the right thawing and baking techniques, you can enjoy restaurant-worthy turkey burgers cooked right at home. Crispy on the outside, tender and moist inside, baked frozen turkey burgers make for a quick and healthy family dinner any night of the week.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Easy, mess-free way to cook frozen hamburgers in the oven!
- Easy clean-up–virtually no mess!
- Cook the perfect burger straight from frozen–no need to thaw!
- The easiest way to cook frozen burgers!
- This meal can be made in less than 30 minutes and is great for busy weeknights.
You’ll need the following ingredients to make Perfect Frozen Burgers in the Oven:
Frozen%20Burger%20Patties: Your favorite brand of pre-shaped frozen burgers works great! I used Trader Joe’s 80% lean frozen burgers for this recipe. My favorite are the Costco frozen burgers because they are a bit bigger than other brands.
Toppings: Anything goes! Pile on lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, whatever your heart desires. Don’t forget to try my secret sauce (recipe in the recipe card below).
Cheese: Totally optional….but is it?!! My favorite cheeses are sharp cheddar and American–they both melt nicely!
RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS
- Al foil or parchment paper should be placed on the bottom of your baking sheet or broiler pan to make cleanup a breeze.
- A little oil on your frozen patties will help the seasoning stick. You can also spray them with cooking spray.
- Learn how to use a meat thermometer. It’s very simple and the best way to tell if meat is done without cutting it! Burgers should be cooked to 160°F.
Get the most out of your time! While the burgers are in the oven, make the buns and any toppings you want (tomato, lettuce, secret sauce, etc.)
- Storage: According to the USDA, you can keep leftover burgers in the fridge for three to five days in an airtight container.
- You can heat up leftover burgers in the oven, the microwave, or a skillet for a few minutes until they are hot all the way through.
- Freezing: The cooked patties can be frozen, but I don’t think it’s a good idea because they will lose some of their taste and texture.
Here are a few additions you can try:
- Seasonings: Besides salt and pepper, you can add some tasty seasonings to your frozen burgers. Some ideas are garlic powder, onion powder, Montreal steak seasoning, or a ready-made hamburger seasoning.
Here are a few substitutions you can make:
- If you don’t want to buy frozen hamburger patties that are already shaped, you can buy hamburger meat or ground beef (I like to use 85% lean for this recipe) and make the patties yourself.
- This method also works with frozen veggie burgers, turkey burgers, and chicken burgers. Just change the cooking times until the meat reaches the right temperature inside. (Chicken burgers: 170°F. Turkey burgers: 165°F. Veggie/Plant-based burger: 165°F).
If the burgers are on a metal rack, you don’t need to flip them. If you put them directly on the foil or baking sheet, I’d flip them over around 10 to 12 minutes.
Frozen burgers need to be cooked at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes. Cook time, of course, will depend on your oven and the exact thickness of your burger patties. Just make sure burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Frozen beef patties should be cooked in the oven at 425°F.
Even though there are pros and cons, cooking frozen burgers in the oven is the best way to go! You get juicy, tasty burgers with almost no mess or work on your part! On the other hand, cooking burgers on the stove gives them a nice crust on the outside, but I’ll take no mess and hands-off every time!
How To Cook A Frozen Turkey Burger
FAQ
Can you cook turkey burgers from frozen in the oven?
What is the best way to cook frozen turkey burgers?
How long to cook frozen burgers in the oven at 400 degrees?
How long to bake turkey burgers at 400 degrees?
How do you cook a frozen turkey burger?
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully heat up before placing the turkey burger inside. Season the Burger: While the oven is preheating, take the frozen Butterball turkey burger and season it with your favorite spices. This will enhance the flavor of the burger as it bakes.
How to make a healthy burger?
There are different ways to make a healthy burger. Traditional bread can be replaced by wholemeal bread or skillet bread rich in fiber or other similar preparations. The sauce used can be a homemade avocado sauce or beet hummus for example. Meat can be prepared at home with ground beef and natural seasonings or you can use shredded chicken breast or canned tuna. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also welcome and a healthy burger.
Can you cook frozen turkey burger patties?
You can cook frozen turkey burger patties in the air fryer, in the oven, using the sous vide, or right on your stovetop without using any special equipment. Frozen Turkey Burger Patties – These can be found in the frozen section of almost any grocery store. Popular brands include Great Value, Jennie-O, Butterball, and Perdue.
What temperature should frozen turkey burgers be cooked at?
You want to reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the lower the temperature or more patties per baking sheet you have, the longer it will take. Read on for instructions on how to cook different amounts of frozen turkey burgers in the oven at various temperatures.
Can you cook frozen turkey burgers without defrost?
Frozen turkey burgers are versatile because they can be cooked in many different ways without needing to defrost them. You can cook frozen turkey burger patties in the air fryer, in the oven, using the sous vide, or right on your stovetop without using any special equipment.
Can you eat frozen turkey burgers?
Cooked frozen turkey burgers can be served in traditional burger buns with your choice of toppings like lettuce, tomato, onions, and condiments. You can also serve them as a protein-packed addition to salads, wraps, or on a bed of grains for a healthier alternative. Get creative and enjoy your tasty turkey burger creation!