Let’s talk about that ultra-thin patty: it makes your Smash burger taste cheesier with just one slice of cheese. With a thinner burger, the cheese-to-beef in every bite is much higher. In short, you’ll enjoy better flavor, a more delightful eating experience, and a superior texture. What could make it even better? You can whip up 4 burgers in about 20 minutes while some frozen fries bake in the oven.
What’s to Love?
- You can’t go wrong with these — they’re quick and easy! Ultra-thin patties cook up in no time, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out or undercooked.
- Extra crispy, extra cheesy. The ratio of crispy edges and cheese-to-beef is much higher — and better — on a thin patty without actually adding any extra cheese.
Table of Contents
Essential Ingredients for Smash Burgers
- Ground beef: Opt for lean ground beef here. It shrinks less during the quick cooking process, so you’ll end up with a juicy patty that holds its shape beautifully.
- cheese: Opt for deli-sliced American cheese for a melt that’s a creamy dream on your patties. Trust me, it’s way better than those individually wrapped singles!
- Hamburger bun In my opinion, Martin’s potato buns are the way to go, but any soft and squishy hamburger bun will work just fine. I’d steer clear of heavier rolls like brioche or pretzel buns, as they can overpower the delicate griddled patty.
- Toppings: For a simple delight, try a touch of burger sauce and some pickle chips, or jazz it up with lettuce, tomato, and onion to finish off your smash burger.
How to Make Smash Burgers
- Get those buns nice and toasty! Grab a large cast iron skillet and heat it up. When it’s ready, pop in 4 split buttered hamburger buns,-side down, and toast them to a lovely golden-brown in batches if necessary. Once they’re perfectly toasted, place them on plates or a serving platter with the cut side facing up. Enjoy!
- Take the beef and have some fun with it! Split 1 pound of ground beef into 4 equal parts, and gently shape each piece into a little ball. Give them all a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper for extra flavor.
- Up that skillet until it’s nice and hot! Place two meatballs in the skillet, keeping them spaced apart. Grab a non-slotted metal spatula and go to town pressing each meatball as flat as you can. Move the spatula around to make sure you’ve got them evenly flattened. Let them cook until the bottom turns a lovely brown and you see a bit of grey around the edges. Enjoy the sizzle!
- Place a slice of cheese on each patty, then get ready to serve! Gently flip the patties, ensuring you scrape up every bit of that delicious crust. Once flipped, top each with a slice of American cheese. Let them cook until the other side is nicely browned and the cheese is wonderfully melted. Place them on the bottom halves of the buns. Repeat the process with the remaining two meatballs. Add your favorite toppings to the burgers and serve right away. Enjoy!
Alternate Options
If you’re craving more hearty meals like this, don’t miss our melt-in-your-mouth chicken recipe or explore a variety of flavorful options in our beef recipes . These are perfect additions to your next dinner recipe lineup !
- Just before flipping your burgers, sprinkle on some super thin onion slices and press them gently into the meat. When you turn the patties over, you’ll have those yummy,iddled onions perfectly stuck to the surface.
- Instead of 4, try the ground beef into 8 smaller balls and press them into ultra-thin patties. These will cook quickly—just 1 minute per side! Top half of the patties with cheese, and double up each bun with 2 patties. You’ll get more crispy goodness, but keep in mind it’s a bit more effort and the patties can be a bit trickier to handle.
- free to skip the cheese if it’s not your thing, or go ahead and try a different kind that suits your taste — cheddar, Gouda, Muenster, and Swiss are all delicious options!
Storing and Preparing Ahead Tips
You can easily prepare your preferred burger toppings a day in advance and store them in airtight containers to keep them fresh in the refrigerator. This way, when you’re ready to assemble smash burgers, everything is already prepped. If you end up with leftover burger patties, make sure to store them separately from the buns and toppings in their own airtight container. This method will help maintain their freshness, and you can enjoy them for up to three days!
Extra Tasty Toppings for Smash Burgers
- Sweet and savory caramelized onions
- Savory sautéed mushrooms
- Crunchy bacon strips
- Freshly sliced avocado
- Tangy pickled, crisp raw, or sweet candied jalapeños
- Sunny-side up eggs
- Why not try out some other tasty sauces like ketchup, barbecue, burger sauce, or even a delightful Big Mac sauce?
Perfect Pairings for Smash Burgers
- Crispy Shoestring Fries
- Zesty Cajun Fries
- asty Potato Salad
- Delicious Sweet Potato Fries
- Text: Comforting and Creamy Coleslaw
- Cool and Crisp Cucumber Salad
Smush Burger recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef – helps reduce shrinkage and keeps patties juicy
- 4 slices deli-style American cheese – for that creamy melty perfection
- 4 soft hamburger buns – Martin’s potato buns recommended for best texture
- Burger sauce – store-bought or homemade
- Pickle chips – for a tangy crunch
- Optional fresh toppings:
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
Get those buns nice and toasty!
- Grab a large cast iron skillet and heat it up. When it’s ready, pop in 4 split buttered hamburger buns,-side down, and toast them to a lovely golden-brown in batches if necessary. Once they’re perfectly toasted, place them on plates or a serving platter with the cut side facing up. Enjoy!
Take the beef and have some fun with it!
- Split 1 pound of ground beef into 4 equal parts, and gently shape each piece into a little ball. Give them all a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and black pepper for extra flavor.
Up that skillet until it’s nice and hot!
- Place two meatballs in the skillet, keeping them spaced apart. Grab a non-slotted metal spatula and go to town pressing each meatball as flat as you can. Move the spatula around to make sure you’ve got them evenly flattened. Let them cook until the bottom turns a lovely brown and you see a bit of grey around the edges. Enjoy the sizzle!
Place a slice of cheese on each patty, then get ready to serve!
- Gently flip the patties, ensuring you scrape up every bit of that delicious crust. Once flipped, top each with a slice of American cheese. Let them cook until the other side is nicely browned and the cheese is wonderfully melted. Place them on the bottom halves of the buns. Repeat the process with the remaining two meatballs. Add your favorite toppings to the burgers and serve right away. Enjoy!
Notes
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 610 kcal |
| Total Fat | 42g |
| Saturated Fat | 18g |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 810mg |
Common Questions About Smash Burgers
A “smashburger” is its name from the fun cooking technique used to make it. You take ground beef patties and press them down onto a hot griddle or skillet. This creates a delicious seared crust that’s nice and crispy. The method really brings out the flavors, giving you a juicy burger with a delightful, caramelized outside.
2. Of course! Feel free to experiment with different types of meat for your smash burgers.
Sure thing! beef is the classic option, but feel free to try ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even plant-based options. Just keep an eye on cooking times and fat content to get the tastiest results.
3. Why should you start with a meatball shape before smashing it?
your meat into a ball before smashing it helps spread the meat evenly. This way, your patty stays the same thickness all around, cooks evenly, and gets that perfect caramelized crust on the griddle.
4. What’s the trick to keep my smash burgers from sticking to the pan?
To keep your smash burgers from sticking, make sure your griddle or skillet is nice and hot before you start. Give it a light coating of oil, and you’ll have trouble flipping those patties once they’re perfectly cooked.
1. What gives a burger the special “smash” title?
Smash burgers take their name from the fun process of pressing down the meatball onto a hot surface right away. This technique is key as it increases the meat’s surface area, allowing for a delicious Maillard reaction that creates a super tasty, crispy crust.
Grab a sturdy spatula and give that meatball a good, even press! It only takes about 10-15 seconds, just enough time to seal in all those tasty juices and create a scrumptious crispy crust. You’ll end up with a burger delightfully crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—truly capturing the magic of what makes a smash burger so special.
because smash burgers are nice and thin, they cook up in no time! This makes them a super handy option when you’re whipping up a meal, especially if you’ve got a group to feed. Their easy and quick preparation is perfect whether you’re enjoying a relaxed meal at home or catering to a bigger bash, winning over burger lovers all around.