These smash burgers are juicy, flavorful and the easiest way to make burgers.
Have you seen the viral Smash Burger videos all over the internet? Social media has been abuzz with these where the beef patties, instead of being shaped before hitting the grill, are smashed straight on the hot grill to intensify the caramelization and give it a deeper flavor. The best part is that this genius process cuts down on prep time significantly and keeps your surface area clean.
Why You Should Try Smash Burgers:
- Ease and Convenience: One of the most compelling reasons you should try smash burgers is their simplicity. Unlike traditional burgers that require that you shape and season the ground meat beforehand, smash burgers are all about spontaneity and speed. With just a few basic ingredients and very minimal prep, you can whip up a batch of smash burgers in no time. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or craving a quick weeknight meal, smash burgers will always deliver.
- Fool-proof and fail-proof : Another reason to add smash burgers to your menu rotation is that they are absolutely foolproof. By smashing and pressing down the beef patty onto a screaming hot griddle or my preferred cast iron skillet, you create maximum contact between the meat and the cooking surface, resulting in a beautifully caramelized crust. The combination of juicy beef, slightly crisp edges, and gooey melted American cheese is a match made in heaven. Plus, you can customize your toppings to suit your preferences.
- 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.
Popular Substitutions:
Feel free to play around with different types of ground meat, from beef to turkey or even plant-based alternatives. You can also experiment with your toppings; I love sliced pepperoncini for their vinegary tang, but you can use any peppers, or even any cheese you like. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or cooking up a weeknight dinner for your family, smash burgers are endlessly customizable and just SO good.
Tips to Make the Best Smash burger
- Use High-Quality Ground Beef: The quality of your meat is always important. I recommend a blend with a higher fat content, such as an 80/20 ratio of lean meat to fat. This will result in juicy, flavorful patties that don't dry out during cooking.
- Don't Overwork the Meat: This part is just a reminder. Since we are dividing the beef into balls, we're not going to mix.
- Salt and pepper is king: Honestly, these staple ingredients are enough, though I love to add a little garlic powder.
- Preheat Your Pan: To achieve that perfect sear and caramelization on the patties, preheat your cooking surface thoroughly. Whether you're using a griddle, skillet, or grill, make sure it's hot before adding the meat. This will help create a crispy crust while sealing in the juices.
- Use a Heavy-Duty Spatula: When smashing the patties,use a heavy-duty spatula or burger press and apply firm pressure evenly across the meat like your life depends on it. You can also use another heavy pan as your smashing tool.
- Don't Flip Too Soon: Resist the urge to flip the patties too early. Let them cook undisturbed for at least 2-3 minutes on the first side to develop a golden-brown crust before flipping. This will ensure that the patties hold together and release easily from the cooking surface.
- Use the Best Buns: I highly recommend using Brioche buns. They hold beautifully and taste delicious. Toast them lightly on a greased pan before assembling your smash burgers.
Watch how to make Smash Burgers
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.
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.
Sally
What a concept!They are delicious. I grilled some diced fresh mushrooms and a diced jalapeño to compliment my smash burger. I also used homemade sourdough hamburger buns.
Rookie With A Cookie
So glad to hear this! Love the modifications; mushrooms are love!!!
kim
do you have a suggestion for a substitute for mayo?
Rookie With A Cookie
you can use a dairy-free mayo as well.
Anthony Colwell
I have to try!!
Roy Barrett
Awesome!
this recipe sans the carbs kicks ass.