Quick Answer: How Long to Grill BUBBA Burgers
Grill BUBBA burgers 4 to 6 minutes per side on medium-high heat, around 375°F — about 8 to 12 minutes total — straight from frozen, no thawing needed. Cook beef varieties to 160°F internal and turkey or veggie varieties to 165°F internal, and use a thermometer rather than the clock alone to confirm.
Can You Grill BUBBA Burgers From Frozen?
Yes, and that’s actually how BUBBA recommends cooking them. Don’t thaw the patties first — put them straight from the freezer onto a hot, clean grill. Cooking from frozen keeps the patty compact so it holds together well on the grates, and it’s the method the brand itself builds its cook times around.
Step-by-Step: Grilling BUBBA Burgers to Perfection
- Preheat your grill to medium-high, about 375°F, and make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled.
- Place the frozen patties directly on the grates. No thawing, no pressing them down.
- Cook the first side for 4-6 minutes without touching them. Resist the urge to flip early or press on the patty.
- Watch for juices rising and pooling on top of the patty — that’s your visual cue that it’s ready to flip, more reliable than a fixed timer alone.
- Flip once and cook the second side for another 4-6 minutes.
- Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the patty.
- Add cheese in the last minute if you want it, and close the lid so it melts properly.
What Internal Temperature Should BUBBA Burgers Reach?
- Beef varieties: 160°F
- Turkey and veggie varieties: 165°F
These are food-safety minimums, not suggestions — ground meat (beef, turkey, or plant-based blends alike) needs to reach these temperatures throughout, not just at the surface. A thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm doneness; color alone isn’t accurate enough, especially with a patty that started frozen and cooks somewhat unevenly from edge to center.
The 5-6-7 Rule — Does It Apply to BUBBA Burgers?
The 5-6-7 rule is a general timing pattern some home grillers use for frozen patties: 5 minutes on the first side, 6 minutes on the second side after flipping, then 7 minutes back on the first side to finish — about 18 minutes total. That timeline runs longer than BUBBA’s own guidance of 4-6 minutes per side (8-12 minutes total), so for BUBBA burgers specifically, stick with the brand’s 4-6-minutes-per-side timing and the juices-on-top visual cue rather than the 5-6-7 pattern, which was designed more for thicker, non-branded frozen patties. Either way, confirm doneness with a thermometer rather than relying on any fixed timing rule alone. For more on where the 5-6-7 rule comes from and when it fits, see our guide to grilling frozen burgers.
Lid Open or Closed on a Gas Grill?
Keep the lid closed while the patties cook, opening it only to flip or check temperature. (If you’re deciding between fuel types in the first place, see our liquid propane vs. natural gas grill comparison.) A closed lid holds heat around the patty so the still-frozen center comes up to a safe temperature at close to the same pace the surface browns. Cooking with the lid open the whole time mostly heats the exterior and slows the center down, increasing the risk of a patty that looks done outside but hasn’t reached a safe temperature inside.
Adding Cheese and Toppings
Add a cheese slice during the last minute of grilling, then close the lid so residual heat and trapped steam melt it evenly without needing extra cook time on the patty itself. Add other toppings — lettuce, tomato, pickles, sauces — after the patty comes off the grill, once it’s rested for a minute or two.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Flipping too early, before juices start pooling on top — this can tear the crust and leave the patty stuck to the grates.
- Pressing the patty with a spatula, which pushes out moisture you want to keep in.
- Grilling over very high heat, which risks a charred outside before the frozen center reaches a safe temperature — medium-high (around 375°F) is the right zone, not your grill’s highest setting.
- Skipping the thermometer and guessing doneness by time or color alone, especially since beef and turkey/veggie varieties have different safe target temperatures.
- Leaving the lid open for most of the cook, which slows even cooking through the center.
FAQ
Can I grill BUBBA burgers on the grill? Yes. BUBBA burgers are designed to go straight from the freezer onto a hot grill — no thawing required. Grill at medium-high heat, about 4-6 minutes per side.
How long should BUBBA burgers be cooked? About 8-12 minutes total: 4-6 minutes per side at medium-high heat (around 375°F), until beef patties reach 160°F internally or turkey/veggie patties reach 165°F.
Do you cook burgers on a gas grill with the lid open or closed? Closed. Keeping the lid closed between flips traps heat around the patty, helping the frozen center cook through evenly while the outside browns, and reducing flare-ups.