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How to Make Homemade Burger Patties You Can Cook From Frozen!

How to Make Homemade Burger Patties You Can Cook From Frozen!

February 10, 2026
Easy homemade burger patties you can freeze and cook from frozen for simple, budget friendly burger nights at home!
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Makes: 12 x 1/4lb burger patties
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Flash Freezing 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 29 minutes
Servings: 12 x 1/4lb burger patties
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 288
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs ground beef - 80/20 works best
  • Salt - to taste
  • Ground pepper - to taste

Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie sheet
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Freezer food bags

Method
 

Making the burger patties
  1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
  2. Divide the ground beef into 12 equal portions. Try not to overwork the meat. Handling it gently keeps the burgers tender.
  3. Shape each portion into a round burger patty. Press just enough to hold its shape without compacting the meat too much.
  4. As you place each patty onto the parchment lined sheet, season both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Place a second sheet of parchment over the first layer of patties and repeat, stacking neatly.
  6. Cover the entire cookie sheet tightly with plastic wrap and place it into the freezer. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
  7. Once frozen, transfer the patties into freezer safe bags. Label with the date and return to the freezer.
Cook from fresh or thawed
  1. Fresh or fully thawed burger patties are more delicate than frozen ones. My favorite way to cook them is on a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
    Approximate cooking times for 1/4 lb patties:
    Rare: 2 to 3 minutes per side
    Medium: 3 to 4 minutes per sideWell done: 5 minutes per side
    Avoid pressing down on the burgers while cooking. This pushes out juices and dries them out.
Cook from frozen
  1. Frozen patties actually hold together better and work beautifully on the grill, griddle, or skillet. Cook over medium heat and add about 1 to 2 extra minutes per side compared to fresh patties.
    Approximate cooking times for frozen 1/4 lb patties:
    Medium: 4 to 5 minutes per side
    Well done: 6 to 7 minutes per side
    Flip once and cook until the internal temperature reaches your preferred doneness.

Notes

  • 80/20 ground beef is ideal for flavor and structure
  • Avoid overmixing or compressing the meat
  • Season simply and add sauces and toppings later
 

Storage

  • Store frozen burger patties in freezer safe bags for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if cooking from fresh, or cook straight from frozen.
 

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Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 306mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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