Learning how to grill frozen turkey burgers is a little different than grilling up beef hamburgers. Turkey is so lean that it doesn’t react well to the direct high heat of your grill. Because of this they need to be grilled using indirect heat. We have tested multiple ways to grill these and here is the method we found we like best.
If you aren’t a turkey burger fan you need to look at them differently. For the longest time I wouldn’t touch the things. All it took for me was for someone to tell me that they are not hamburgers and should be viewed as a grilled turkey sandwich. This statement made the lightbulb go off in my head, I was viewing them all wrong all this time. Turkey burgers should be seasoned and served more like a chicken sandwich and not like a burger.
Instructions from a frozen turkey burger package (not the method we use): Cook from frozen. To Grill: Preheat grill on medium high heat. Place frozen burgers 4 inches from heat source for 9 to 10 minutes per side (turning twice) and until fully cooked to 165 degrees.
For best results grill frozen turkey burgers the following way:
I like to start out preheating the grill to a high heat. This ensures that the grates are hot enough to get some grill marks on the turkey burgers. Once the grill is good and hot turn the burner(s) under where you are placing the patties all the way down. Other burners should be turned down to the medium setting or a little lower. We prefer to use direct low heat to grill our turkey burgers.
Place the frozen patties over the direct low heat area you have just created. After 3 minutes rotate 90 degrees for cross hatch grill marks and season the tops if needed (see next paragraph). Flip the patties after another 4 minutes and season tops again.
Note on seasoning frozen turkey burgers: Read the package before seasoning, the Jennie-O Brand clearly says pre-seasoned while Butterball does not. The Butterball brand has salt added, look at the ingredient list on the back of the package. Avoid seasoning with salt when it is already added.
Continue to grill this side for an additional 5 minutes, no need to rotate. Check your temps it should be about 165 degrees, if not grill them for a few more minutes. If you see major shrinkage occurring they are getting over cooked and should be pulled right away.
When your turkey burgers are done feel free to get creative with your toppings.
Mike
aka Sultan of Sizzle
I have been blogging about and selling grilling tool for over 12 years. A Certified Food Safety Professional, KCBS member, award winning writer and have over 10 years experience in the food service industry.
“I have experienced some of the best food this country has to offer and nothing is better than the food that comes off my own grill!”
