Grilling Frozen Turkey Burgers to Perfection: A Simple Guide

As grilling season approaches, frozen turkey burgers offer a convenient and healthy alternative to beef. With a few simple tricks, you can achieve juicy, flavorful turkey burgers straight from the freezer to your backyard grill.

In this article, I’ll provide tips on how to successfully grill frozen turkey burgers, from preparation through cooking and serving. With these techniques, you’ll gain confidence to make frozen turkey burgers a staple of your summertime barbecue menu.

Benefits of Cooking Frozen Turkey Burgers on the Grill

Grilling frozen turkey burgers offers several advantages:

• Saves time – No need to thaw beforehand means faster cooking.

• Prevents bacteria – Cooking from frozen is safer than thawing before grilling

• Adds flavor – Charcoal or wood smoke adds delicious depth of taste.

• Retains moisture – The frozen state helps patties stay juicier on the grill,

• Uses healthy lean protein – Turkey provides nutrients without much saturated fat.

With easy prep work, you can unlock all these benefits and enjoy restaurant-quality turkey burgers from the comfort of home.

Step-by-Step Guide to Grilling Frozen Turkey Burgers

Follow these simple steps for grilling success:

1. Prepare the Grill Surface

• For gas grills, preheat to medium heat (350-450°F).

• For charcoal, ignite coals and let flames die down before grilling.

• Oil the grates right before cooking to prevent sticking.

2. Pat Patties Dry

• Paper towel dry each patty to help browning.

• Damp patties may steam instead of searing.

3. Brush Patties with Oil

• Coat both sides lightly with oil using a pastry brush or paper towel.

• Oil options: olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil.

4. Season the Patties (Optional)

• Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.

• Avoid over seasoning since freezing dulls flavor.

5. Place Patties on Grill, Resist Pressing

• Arrange oiled patties on hot grill grates.

• Let cook undisturbed for desired level of char.

• Don’t press down as this squeezes out juices!

6. Grill Approximately 8 Minutes Per Side

• Cook first side for around 8 minutes until nicely browned.

• Carefully flip patties once and grill other side about 8 minutes more.

• Use tongs and spatula to gently maneuver.

7. Check Temperature and Allow Resting

• Grill until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• After removing from grill, let rest 5 minutes before serving.

• This allows juices to reabsorb so patties stay moist.

8. Enjoy Your Juicy Grilled Turkey Burgers!

• Construct your burger with favorite toppings and bun.

• Adds like avocado, sautéed mushrooms or grilled pineapple work well.

• For extra flavor, melt cheese slices on patties right after grilling.

Handy Tips for Grilling Frozen Turkey Burgers

• Try soaking wooden skewers in water before grilling to prevent burning.

• Use a perforated grill pan for smaller patties that may fall through grates.

• Charcoal grills add nice smoky flavor; distribute coals evenly first.

• Get creative with sauces and rubs. Pesto, chili sauce or Cajun seasoning are all options.

With proper technique, frozen turkey burgers cook up just as delicious as gourmet versions. Grill up a batch for your next cookout!