🍔 Smash Burgers — Crispy, Juicy, Irresistibly Craveable!
Say goodbye to boring burgers and hello to the iconic Smash Burger — where crispy edges meet juicy centers in every bite. These burgers are all about high heat, bold flavor, and maximum texture. What makes smash burgers special is the sear: pressing the beef directly onto a hot griddle creates an ultra-crispy crust while locking in the juices.
Smash burgers are fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for cookouts, weeknight dinners, or even a gourmet twist on classic comfort food, this method delivers the ultimate beefy bite with melty cheese, tangy sauce, and your favorite toppings layered between a toasted bun. No grill needed — a cast iron pan or flat top does the job right in your kitchen.
Whether you’re making these for a backyard crowd or a weeknight treat, this smash burger recipe brings restaurant-quality results to your home, with chef-worthy touches that make it uniquely yours.
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- 4 soft brioche or potato burger buns
- 4 slices American cheese (or cheddar, if preferred)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
- Butter, for toasting buns
Smash Sauce (Optional but Recommended):
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp finely chopped pickles or pickle juice
- Pinch of garlic powder
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Red onion slices
- Jalapeños
👩🍳 Execution — How to Make It
- Prep Your Sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate while preparing the burgers.
- Form Loose Meat Balls: Divide the ground beef into 4 loose balls (about 4 oz each). Do not overwork the meat — you want it loosely packed.
- Heat the Pan: Preheat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until it’s smoking hot. Add a bit of oil and swirl to coat.
- Smash & Sear: Place 1 beef ball on the hot pan. Immediately smash it flat using a heavy spatula or burger press (use parchment between meat and spatula if needed). Press firmly for 10 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
- Flip & Cheese It: Once the edges are crispy and deeply browned (about 1.5–2 minutes), flip the burger and top with cheese. Cook another 1–2 minutes until cheese is melted and burger is cooked through.
- Toast the Buns: Butter the cut sides of each bun and toast them in the same pan until golden.
- Assemble: Spread smash sauce on the buns. Stack the patty, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles (or whatever you love). Top it and serve hot!
💡 Additional Tips from the Chef’s Notebook
- Use high heat — the sear is key to the flavor. Don’t be afraid of a hot pan.
- Smashing tip: Use a small sheet of parchment paper between your spatula and the meat to avoid sticking.
- Double up: Want it diner-style? Stack two thin patties with cheese in between for a double smash!
- No griddle? A cast iron skillet works perfectly.
- Make it spicy: Add sriracha or chipotle to your smash sauce.
- Don’t skip the toasty buns! It makes all the difference in texture.
Serves: 4 burgers
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
