Nothing beats homemade Smash Burgers smothered with sauce on a toasted burger bun; this recipe is a must-try for any burger lover! The melt-in-your-mouth patties have an iconic crispy outer crust and juicy center and are covered with gooey melted cheese and a DIY special sauce that will rival your favorite burger joint.
If you’re wondering, “What is a smash burger?” these burgers are made by smashing a ball of cold ground beef on a hot cast iron skillet, creating irresistible crispy edges. Each patty takes about 3 minutes to cook, making this a quick and satisfying meal. Serve these tasty patties on toasted brioche buns with your favorite toppings for a flavor-packed meal. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or hosting a casual gathering, you’ll have restaurant-quality burgers in as little as 30 minutes that are sure to impress! For more easy burger recipes, try my Chicken Burger, Veggie Burger, or Turkey Burger.
Ingredients for Smash Burgers
Ground Beef — for the tastiest balance of fat and flavor, use 80/20 ground beef. Look for fresh, high-quality beef from a trusted butcher or grocery store. A leaner ground beef doesn’t work quite as well, as you need the fat in the beef to create the delicious crusty patties.
Cheese — sliced cheddar or American cheese provides a classic, melty topping. For a twist, try using pepper jack, Swiss, or blue cheese.
Seasonings – fine sea salt enhances the flavor of the patties, and ground black pepper adds a sharp, aromatic kick. Add any additional seasonings to suit your taste, from garlic powder to paprika or dried herbs.
Burger Buns — use brioche buns for a rich, buttery flavor that complements each crispy, thin patty. You can substitute potato buns or classic sesame seed buns if preferred.
How To Make Smash Burgers
1. Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Place the beef balls on a plate lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking, cover the plate with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 6 hours.
2. Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Brush the cut sides of the buns with melted butter if desired.
3. Place the buttered buns on the hot pan until golden brown, for about 1 minute. Remove and set aside.
4. Increase the heat to high. Place 2-4 beef balls on the hot griddle, leaving plenty of space between each.
5. Smash the beef balls with a spatula into thin patties. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and crispy, for about 2 minutes.
6. Flip the patties, season the other side, and cook for an additional 1 minute.
7. Top half of the patties with a slice of cheese – so half of them have cheese and half do not.
8. Place a plain patty on top of the cheese-covered patties. Remove the patties from the skillet and repeat with the remaining beef and cheese. Serve the double patties on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings.
The Best Tools For Making Smash Burgers
- Cast-Iron Skillet: The ability of cast iron to hold heat is essential for cooking these burgers and creating crispy edges on the patties. You can also use a cast-iron griddle, or if you don’t have cast iron, use another heavy-bottomed skillet.
- Flat Metal Spatula: Use a large, flat, and sturdy spatula to smash and flip the beef patties.
- Burger Press: This is optional, but it’s a great tool to smash the patties evenly.
Can I Make Smash Burgers On The Grill?
Yes, you can make smash burgers on the grill using a grill-safe griddle plate or a seasoned cast-iron skillet. Place it on the grill and turn the heat on to preheat the skillet. Make sure the surface of the griddle plate or skillet is hot, then follow the same cooking steps outlined in the recipe.
Burger Toppings
There are so many great ways to make the best burger! Choose your favorites for the perfect smash burger flavor.
- Homemade burger sauce: stir together ¼ cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of ketchup, and 1 teaspoon of mustard or relish. This makes enough sauce for 4 burgers, but make extra if you want to use it as a dip!
- Make homemade hamburger buns instead of storebought! You can make the buns a day ahead of time for easier prep.
- Customize your burgers with your favorite toppings, or go with traditional burger toppings like tomato and onion slices, shredded lettuce, and pickles.
- Elevate your burgers by adding crispy bacon, mashed avocado, caramelized onions, or sliced jalapeños.
- Swap the sliced cheese for a scoop of pimento cheese.
Serving Ideas
Serve with classic sides like air fyer french fries, air fryer onion rings, or homemade potato chips. Or, go for a backyard barbecue spread and make creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or grilled elote.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Chill the beef before cooking. Allow the beef to sit in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 6 hours before cooking. This helps the patties hold together when smashing and cooking.
- Caramelization is key. Before cooking the patties, ensure the beef is cold and the cast iron skillet or griddle has a very hot surface. This helps create the iconic crispiness on the edges of the patties.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook 2-4 patties at a time, ensuring there is plenty of space between each one so they do not touch. This helps ensure even cooking and achieve crispy edges.
- Prep toppings. Have all your toppings ready before cooking the burgers, as the cooking process is quick, and the patties are best served hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
A less lean beef, like 80/20 ground beef, is ideal for this recipe to provide the perfect balance of fat for flavor and juiciness.
Yes, chilling the beef patties for at least 20 minutes helps them hold together better when mashed with a spatula and cooked.
You can prepare the uncooked beef patties by shaping them into balls, covering, and refrigerating them for up to 6 hours in advance. Cook them just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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Smash Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef 80/20 (675g)
- 4 burger buns (213g)
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- 4 slices cheddar cheese or American cheese (76g)
Toppings of Choice:
- Tomato slices
- Onion slices
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into balls and place on a plate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to 6 hours.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. If desired, toast the buns by brushing the cut side of the buns with melted butter and placing on the griddle until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Increase heat to high. Place 2 to 4 balls of ground beef on the very hot griddle (leave plenty of room between each, so cook fewer at a time if needed). Smash the beef with a spatula into thin patties. Season the top of each pattie with salt and pepper.
- Cook until browned and crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and season the cooked side with salt and paper. Cook until crisp and browned on the bottom, about 1 minute more.
- Top half of the patties with a cheese slice and place a plain patty on top of the cheese. Remove from skillet or griddle. Repeat with the remaining beef and cheese. Serve the double patties on buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chill the beef before cooking. Allow the beef to sit in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 6 hours before cooking. This helps the patties hold together when smashing and cooking.
- Caramelization is key. Before cooking the patties, ensure the beef is cold and the cast iron skillet or griddle has a very hot surface. This helps create the iconic crispiness on the edges of the patties.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook 2-4 patties at a time, ensuring there is plenty of space between each one so they do not touch. This helps ensure even cooking and achieve crispy edges.
- Prep toppings. Have all your toppings ready before cooking the burgers, as the cooking process is quick, and the patties are best served hot.
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