These smash burgers are easy to make and come out beautifully thin with crisp edges. I've also included my secret burger sauce, which you may recognize from one of the most famous fast food restaurants!
Looking for some killer smash burger toppings? Try my homemade dill pickles or pickled onions!
If smash a burger I must, then smash a burger I shall!
If you ask me, smashing a burger is the best way to prepare a burger. Sure, thick burgers are good, but nothing beats the crispy, charred edges of a properly smashed burger. And when topped with my secret sauce and a slice of cheese... delectable.
I've been making smash burgers for as long as I can remember. I'm known as the smash burger guy in my friend groups and family. I used to work at one of the most popular burger chains in North America, and I made upwards of 200 smash burgers a day. Now, I make them for friends and family whenever we have barbecues or camping trips. Last summer, I made smash burgers for over 10 campers!
Smash burgers are incredibly easy to make as long as you have the right equipment. You will need a cast-iron pan and a smash burger press. A smash burger press can be replaced with a spatula, but if you make burgers often, I highly recommend getting your own press. They are much easier to get a thin patty. You can buy cheap smash burger presses from Marshalls or TJ Maxx.
Another benefit of Smash Burgers is that cooking them is easier. Because they are so thin, they cook really fast. There is basically no need to check the temperature of the patties for food safety. When the patties are no longer pink, they are ready.
Key Ingredients
Ground Beef: The choice of beef matters quite a bit for smash burgers. Personally, I prefer an 80/20 mix of lean meat and fat. The fat keeps the burgers juicy, flavorful, and also helps the edges crisp up as it renders out. That said, I have made smash burgers plenty of times using extra-lean meat, and they turn out great as well. Sure, the patties will be a tiny bit drier, but once you add sauce and cheese, they taste nice and moist.
Buns: Slightly toasted, soft brioche buns are my go-to.
Cheese: American cheese or medium cheddar slices are the best.
Sauce: For my sauce, I use a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, chopped pickles, and onions.
How to smash the patties
STEP 1: Divide the beef into 8 balls.
STEP 2: Place a beef ball in the center of a hot cast-iron pan. Place a piece of parchment on top, then press with a smash burger press (or spatula) until very thin.
STEP 3: It should look like this. Remove the parchment, then let the patty cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until browned on the bottom.
STEP 4: Flip and continue cooking for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
Smash Burgers
Ingredients
For the burgers
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- salt & pepper
- 8 slices American cheese
- 8 toasted hamburger buns (we love brioche)
For the sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ¼ cup chopped pickles
- ¼ cup chopped onions
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Divide the beef into 8 balls. Prepare a piece of parchment paper (about 8x8 inches).
- Heat a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot. Grease with a tiny bit of oil.
- Place a beef ball in the pan, cover with the parchment, and press it down with a burger press or spatula until flat. Cook for 1-2 minutes undisturbed, then flip the patty. Season with salt and pepper and top with a slice of American cheese.
- To assemble a burger, spread the sauce on both buns. Add the patty and any other toppings you want. Enjoy!
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