World's Best Smash Burger

If you're craving a burger that is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, you need to try a Smash burger.

What is a Smash Burger

Unlike traditional burgers, smash burgers are all about the crust. By pressing a ball of ground beef directly onto a hot cooking surface, you create a deep, golden-brown crust; this is all thanks to the Maillard reaction. This method not only enhances the flavor but locks in all the juices, resulting in a burger that’s crispy and tender in every bite.

Why You Should Try Smash Burgers:

1. Ease and Convenience: Unlike traditional burgers that require that you shape and season the ground meat beforehand, smash burgers are all about convenience. Who doesn't want that? With just a few basic ingredients and very minimal prep, you can whip up a batch of smash burgers in no time.
2. Fool-proof and fail-proof : By smashing and pressing down the beef patty onto a screaming hot griddle or cast iron skillet, you create maximum contact between the meat and the hot cooking surface. This results in a beautifully caramelized crust.
3. Versatility: Smash burgers are super versatile. To make things more fun, I add sliced onions on the skillet before smashing down the beef patty. This not only caramelizes the onion together with the patty but also saves you space on the stovetop.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Smash Burger

• Ground beef: Choose 80/20 (lean-to-fat ratio) for the best flavor and texture. The higher fat content will make sure you smash burgers are juicy.
• Brioche buns: Soft and slightly sweet, these buns toast beautifully. You can use regular potato or what buns as well.
• Cheese: Classic American cheese is great; feel free to experiment with cheddar or Swiss.
• Toppings: Keep it simple with dill pickles, thinly sliced onions, some hot peppers like pepperoncini and the secret burger sauce.
• Seasoning: Honestly, you don't need many spices to make the best smash burgers. We're going in with just salt, pepper and a little garlic powder.

Watch how to make Smash Burgers

How to Make Smash Burgers at Home

1. Smash and Sear your Patty: Preheat a greased cast iron skillet until very hot. Add your sliced onions to the pan and place a 2-ounce beef ball on the skillet. Sprinkle on a bit of the salt, pepper and garlic mix and smash it flat with a spatula. Use muscle here because we want the patty smashed down as much as you can over the onions. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until crispy, flip, add another generous sprinkle of the seasoning and top with cheese.
2. Prepare the Secret sauce: In a bowl, mix mayo, ketchup, dijon mustrad, dill pickles, capers and some pickle juice. That is is!
3. Assemble the Burger
   On toasted brioche buns, spread some of the sauce, add tomato, a lettuce leaf followed by the patty. Double the patties for a double double. Top with sliced pickles , pepperoncini, some more sauce and close the bun.
   Bon Appétit!

If you try this recipe, please leave me a review and tag me on Instagram . It makes my day seeing your recreations.

Viral Smash Burger

These Smash burgers will have you coming back for seconds. Think juicy, cheese burgers, topped with caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles, pepperoncini and the secret sauce.

4.50 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 10 patties

Ingredients

  

Ingredients for Patty:

• 2 lbs ground beef 80% lean 20% fat, or you can use 1 lb 85% lean 15% fat and mix the two
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredients for Secret Sauce:

• 4 tablespoon mayo
• 3 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon capers finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon pickle juice

Toppings:

• 1 yellow onion sliced
• American cheese
• Lettuce
• Pickle
• Pepperoncini
• Brioche buns

Instructions

 

• Divide the ground beef into 10 balls and sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder only on the tops of the balls.
• In a hot cast iron with a little oil, add some of the onions and place a ball with the seasoned side down, using parchment paper to press it flat. Hold down the spatula for 5 seconds and sprinkle some seasoning on the exposed side.
• Cook on high heat for exactly 3 minutes, then flip. Add a slice of American cheese and cook for one more minute.
• Combine the listed ingredients to make the secret sauce.
• To assemble the smash burger, toast the brioche buns, spread the secret sauce, add tomato, lettuce, the smash burger patties, pickles, pepperoncini, drizzle more secret sauce, and top with the bun.