Description
This Best Smash Burger Recipe delivers irresistibly crispy-edged, juicy burgers with melty American cheese, fresh toppings, and a tangy homemade burger sauce. Perfectly cooked on a hot cast iron skillet, these smash burgers come together quickly and are ideal for a satisfying and flavorful meal at home.
Ingredients
Beef and Patties
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Buns
- 12 slices American cheese
- 6 hamburger buns
Burger Sauce
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1-2 tablespoons pickle juice, to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons BBQ sauce, to taste
Toppings
- Thinly sliced onions (red or white)
- Dill pickle slices
- Lettuce
- Sliced tomato
- Cooked bacon
Instructions
- Prep Beef: Divide the ground beef into twelve loose balls, each weighing approximately 2 ounces. Avoid packing the meat tightly to maintain tenderness. Keep refrigerated and covered until ready to cook.
- Make Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice. Adjust the flavor by adding BBQ sauce to taste. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat Pan: Preheat a cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat until it is very hot and almost smoking, ensuring a perfect sear for the patties.
- Toast the Buns (optional): Butter the hamburger buns and toast them in the hot pan until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Smash Patties: Place 2 to 4 beef balls on the hot cooking surface at once, working in batches. Using a sturdy spatula or burger press, immediately smash them very thin, about ¼ inch thick.
- Season: Sprinkle salt and pepper directly onto the patties right after smashing them to enhance flavor.
- Cook Patties: Let the patties cook undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the edges become crispy and browned.
- Flip & Add Cheese: Carefully scrape under the patties to flip them over. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on each patty. Cook for an additional 30 to 60 seconds, allowing the cheese to melt.
- Assemble Burgers: Spread the prepared burger sauce onto the bottom bun. Stack two cheese-covered patties per burger, then layer with your choice of thinly sliced onions, dill pickles, lettuce, tomato slices, and cooked bacon. Finish with the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, use an 80/20 ground beef blend to ensure the patties stay juicy.
- Do not press down on the patties while cooking them to avoid squeezing out juices; only smash at the start.
- Toast the buns to add extra texture and prevent sogginess from the sauce.
- Feel free to customize toppings according to preference, such as adding jalapeños or different cheeses.
- Work in batches when cooking patties to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the temperature and reduce crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
