Food & Drink

I Tried 12 Frozen Burgers and Ranked Them Worst To Best

By Jeanette Donnarumma Parade - Food and Drink Stories

Updated May 22, 2026 5:36 AM

With summer on deck, it's officially time to eat more meals...out on the deck! And when it comes to easy warm-weather dinners, frozen burgers might just be one of the smartest things to keep stocked in the freezer all season long. I love them because they're perfect for everything from a random Tuesday night "What's for dinner?" panic to those last-minute texts that suddenly turn into "We're all coming over." No thawing, no fuss and no prep work required. You can throw them straight onto the grill or griddle from frozen, which makes feeding a crowd feel way less stressful.

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff to summer grilling season, I decided to put some of the most popular frozen burgers to the test. From classic Angus beef patties to grass-fed options, store-brand staples and even a couple non-beef burgers, I wanted to know about the best frozen burgers that are actually worth keeping on hand for cookouts all season long. Some tasted surprisingly fresh and beefy, while others leaned overly salty, chewy or greasy.

After trying 12 different frozen burgers back-to-back, I found a few standout options I'll absolutely be stocking in my freezer moving forward. Whether you're looking for a classic backyard burger, a better-for-you grass-fed option or something to keep on hand for pescatarians and vegetarians at the BBQ, there's definitely a frozen burger here worth grabbing.

How I Chose the Frozen Burgers

For this test, I focused on frozen burgers that feel like they actually live in people's home freezers. I looked for a mix of popular grocery store brands, widely available national favorites and a few premium options that have built a loyal following.

I also wanted the lineup to reflect the way people actually shop, so the list includes everything from budget-friendly store brands to grass-fed beef burgers and plant-based options.

How I Tested the Frozen Burgers

To keep the test as fair and consistent as possible, I cooked every burger on a griddle. That ensured each patty got the same level of heat, sear and attention throughout the cooking process.

I evaluated each burger based on texture, beef flavor, seasoning, shrinkage, crust development and overall quality. I also considered which burgers I'd realistically want to keep stocked in my freezer throughout grilling season.

12 Frozen Burgers, Ranked Worst To Best

Here's my ranking based on the taste-test.

12. Marketside 100% Angus Beef Burgers

These burgers I got from Walmart developed a nice sear on the griddle, but the overall flavor and texture didn't quite work for me. They were noticeably chewy and tasted very fatty throughout, which overpowered the actual beef flavor.

I also found them a bit too salty compared to the rest of the burgers in the test. If you like a richer, fattier diner-style burger, these might work for you, but they ultimately ranked last for me.

Related: 15 Discontinued Fast-Food Burgers We Are Still Begging Them to Bring Back

11. Lidl Angus Beef Unseasoned Burgers

There wasn't anything particularly wrong with these burgers, but they didn't stand out in such a crowded lineup. The flavor was solid, the texture was decent and overall it felt like a perfectly average frozen burger experience.

They cooked well and tasted good enough for an easy weeknight dinner. Still, compared to some of the stronger options in this ranking, these were a little forgettable.

10. Stop & Shop All Natural Ground Beef Patties

These burgers had a really pleasant texture and a nice chew that made them feel satisfying and hearty. The flavor was balanced and classic without being overly salty or greasy.

While they didn't necessarily have one huge standout quality, they felt dependable and easy to serve to a crowd. This is the kind of frozen burger I could see a lot of families happily keeping stocked all summer long.

9. Dr. Praeger's Plant Based Perfect Burger

As far as plant-based burgers go, this one impressed me. It cooked up beautifully with a surprisingly great texture that felt much more substantial and "burger-like" than some veggie burgers tend to be. I also appreciated that it didn't rely entirely on toppings or condiments to make it enjoyable.

If you're looking for a solid meatless burger option to keep on hand for guests, this is an easy freezer staple.

Related: I Tried the Viral Pinterest Burgers and They're So Good They Don't Even Need Toppings

8. BUBBA burger Original Bubba Burgers

These were much better than I expected them to be. They had a really nice classic burger flavor, a satisfying texture and great seasoning right out of the box. They also browned beautifully on the griddle, and I genuinely think the signature holes in the patties may help them cook more evenly.

If you're someone who wants a reliable frozen burger you can find almost anywhere, this is an incredibly solid choice.

Related: How to Make the Best-Ever Smash Burger, According to the Smash Burger King of New Jersey

7. Thrive Market Organic Ground Beef Patties

These patties were a bit thinner than some of the others in the lineup, but I actually really enjoyed that about them. They cooked quickly and evenly while still delivering great flavor and texture. The overall quality tasted noticeably fresh and clean. These would be especially great for fast weeknight dinners or casual summer lunches when you want burgers on the table quickly.

6. Safe Catch Tuna Burgers

As one of only two non-beef burgers in this test, these really surprised me in the best way. The tuna flavor tasted fresh and not overly processed, and the seasoning was balanced really nicely throughout. I also love that Safe Catch is known for testing its tuna for mercury levels, which makes these feel especially thoughtful for families.

I'd absolutely keep these on hand for pescatarian guests during summer BBQ season and also maybe as a simple, easy protein to chop over a salad. Great product.

Related: The Michigan Way to Make a Burger 10x Better

5. ALDI Black Angus Unseasoned Beef Patties

Aldi frozen burgers are having a viral moment online and I have to agree! For a budget-friendly frozen burger, these really delivered. The texture was slightly chewy but still satisfying, and they developed an excellent sear on the griddle.

Since they're unseasoned, I added salt after cooking, which gave me more control over the final flavor. These are a great option for anyone looking for a classic, no-frills burger at a really good price point.

4. Wegmans Seasoned Angus Beef Burgers

These burgers stood out because they were one of the largest patties in the entire test. Despite their size, they didn't shrink too much during cooking and maintained a really great classic burger flavor. The texture was excellent and felt juicy without becoming greasy.

I also loved that they come packaged in a zip-top freezer bag, which makes them especially practical for storing throughout grilling season.

3. Whole Foods Market Organic 100% Grass-Fed Beef Burgers

If you love a deeply beefy burger flavor, these are absolutely worth trying. The grass-fed beef flavor came through strongly without tasting gamey, and the burgers cooked evenly with a beautiful crust.

They did shrink more than some of the other patties in the test, but they started out larger, so it balanced out in the end. Overall, these tasted like a genuinely high-quality burger I'd happily buy again.

2. Omaha Steaks Pure Ground Beef Tenderloin Burgers

These burgers tasted incredibly premium from the very first bite. They developed a deeply flavorful crust on the griddle while still maintaining a juicy interior and a texture that leaned more steak-like than typical frozen burgers.

The beef flavor felt rich, clean and high quality throughout. These are the kind of burgers I'd happily keep stocked for backyard BBQs and summer entertaining.

1. Force of Nature 100% Grass-Fed Beef Patties

These burgers completely won me over. They had an unbelievably buttery flavor while still holding onto everything you want from a great burger, including a rich beefy taste and satisfying texture. The quality was obvious immediately, and every bite felt balanced and flavorful without being too heavy or greasy.

Out of all 12 frozen burgers I tried, this was the one I'd most happily stock in my freezer all grilling season long.

More Parade Frozen Food Rankings:

Final Takeaways

Frozen burgers have come a long way, and after testing 12 different options, I was genuinely surprised by how many I'd happily buy again. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, an easy backyard BBQ solution or something to keep stocked for unexpected guests, there are some seriously solid freezer options out there right now.

While premium picks like Force of Nature and Omaha Steaks delivered standout flavor and texture, even a few budget-friendly grocery store burgers held their own on the griddle. Going into summer grilling season, having a box of frozen burgers in the freezer might just be one of the easiest hosting hacks around.

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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 4:22 AM.