Juicy Smash Burger Recipe
This Smash Burger recipe creates a burger with a deliciously crispy crust and juicy, flavorful beef. It’s straightforward and fun, perfect for a quick dinner or a casual gathering. With a cast iron skillet and a few simple ingredients, you’re all set to make your new favorite burger recipe.
Why You Will Love Making Smash Burgers
With a perfect sear, juicy interior, and minimal fuss, here’s why you’ll find yourself making them again and again:
- Quick cooking time: These burgers cook up fast on high heat, which means you’re just minutes away from a delicious meal.
- Flavorful crust: Smashing the burger ensures maximum contact with the hot skillet, creating a crispy, caramelized crust that’s packed with flavor.
- Customizable: Whether you like them simple or stacked with toppings, you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
- Fun to make: There’s something satisfying about smashing a burger patty on a hot griddle. It’s a fun cooking activity that even kids can enjoy under supervision.
- Perfect for gatherings: Smash burgers are a hit at social events, allowing you to serve restaurant-quality burgers right from your kitchen or backyard.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make This Smash Burger Recipe with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
With these step-by-step instructions, here’s how to get that perfect burger every time.
Beef Prep
You’ll need ground beef with a higher fat content, ideally around 80% lean, 20% fat for the best flavor and juiciness. You can also use 80% beef and 20% pork. Season the meat with salt and pepper, and form it into large, loose balls. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Heating Your Skillet
Place your cast iron skillet on the stove and let it heat up on medium-high for about 7 to 10 minutes. The pan should be hot enough that it sizzles when you add the burger.
The Smash
Once your pan is ready, lightly oil the surface. Place a ball of meat on the skillet and immediately smash it flat with a metal spatula to about a quarter of an inch thick. This quick smash helps create a crust by increasing the surface area in contact with the heat.
Cooking and Cheese Melting
Cook the smashed patty for about 2 minutes until the bottom is brown and crispy. Then, flip it over, add a slice of cheddar cheese, and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, depending on how well-done you like your burgers.
Toasting the Buns
Don’t forget to toast your burger buns for a couple of minutes in the same skillet. This step adds a nice texture and prevents the buns from getting soggy from the burger juices.
Assembly
Layer your toasted buns with spicy mayo, the cooked burger, fresh lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles. Serve your smash burgers hot off the skillet and enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To help you perfect your smash burger game, here are some handy tips and tricks:
- Don’t overwork the meat: When mixing and forming your patties, handle the meat as little as possible. Overworking can make the burgers tough.
- Use a sturdy spatula: A strong, flat spatula is crucial for smashing the patties effectively. The thinner and firmer, the better for getting under the patty and ensuring a good smash.
- High heat is key: Make sure your skillet is very hot before adding your burgers. This high heat is what gives the smash burgers their characteristic crust.
- Cheese: Adding cheese right after flipping ensures it melts perfectly by the time the burger is cooked. Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite.
- Rest: Let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, making it even juicier.
- Seasoning: A simple seasoning of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper is really all you need, but feel free to experiment with garlic powder or smoked paprika for a different twist.
- Grill: You can make smash burgers on a regular grill. Just ensure it’s very hot before adding your patties, and use a heavy-duty spatula to press them down firmly.
How to Store Leftover Smash Burgers
Storing your smash burgers properly ensures they remain as delicious as when they were first cooked. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Refrigerate: Once cooled, place the leftover burger patties in an airtight container. They will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Separate components: Store the buns, toppings, and patties separately to keep everything fresh. This way, you can reheat the patties without making the buns soggy.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your burger again, reheat the patties on a skillet over medium heat until they are thoroughly warmed. Toast the buns and assemble your burger with fresh toppings.
- Freeze: Wrap each cooked patty individually in freezer-safe wrap and store them for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet from frozen.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Looking to make this smash burger recipe without smashing your budget? Here are three tips to keep both your belly and wallet full:
- Buy bulk ground beef: Purchase ground beef in bulk and freeze what you don’t use. It’s usually cheaper per pound this way.
- Make your own buns: Homemade buns are not only cheaper but can also be tastier. Plus, you’ll know exactly what’s going into them.
- Cook in batches: Make a larger batch and freeze individual patties for later use, saving both time and money on future meals.
What to Serve with Smash Burgers
Here are some great ideas to complement your burger.
Classic Sides
Fries are a classic choice. Whether you opt for thick-cut, seasoned fries, air fryer fries, or sweet potato fries, they’re a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with the savory richness of a smash burger. For a healthier twist, try air-frying your fries with a light spray of oil.
Onion Rings
For a change from the usual fries, onion rings make a fabulous side. Their crispy, crunchy texture and sweet flavor from the onions pair excellently with the savory taste of smash burgers. You can bake or fry them depending on your preference for a healthier or more indulgent treat.
Sweet Corn
Grilled or boiled sweet corn is a great side that adds a bit of sweetness and crunch to your meal, or why not try air fryer corn on the cob. Brush the corn with a little butter and sprinkle some salt, or get adventurous with other spices like paprika or cayenne pepper for a bit of a kick.
Creative Condiments
Apart from the usual ketchup and mustard, consider offering a range of condiments to elevate the burgers. Try homemade relishes, spicy aioli, or even a quick guacamole. These can add an unexpected twist and bring out the flavors of the burger.
More Burgers and Sandwiches You Will Love
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Smash Burger
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef can also use 80% beef, 20% pork mixture for juicier burgers
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 slices Cheddar cheese
- 4 burger buns Brioche works best with the smash
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Spicy mayo
- Fresh pickles
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt, and pepper and mix it lightly (don’t overwork the meat).½ pound ground beef, Salt and pepper
- Form into 4 large balls and flat them out until they are about 1 inch thick. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat a cast iron for about 7-10 minutes, it should be as hot as possible.
- Lightly coat the pan with oil. Place one of the burgers in the pan and immediately smash it flat with a metal spatula. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the bottom side browns.1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Flip the smashed burger patty. Top it with the cheese. Cook for 2-4 minutes more, or until your desired doneness is achieved. Then, remove the cheeseburger from the pan.4 slices Cheddar cheese
- Place the buns in the skillet for a couple of minutes and layer them with the sauce, burger, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickles.4 burger buns, Fresh lettuce leaves, Tomato slices, Spicy mayo, Fresh pickles
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overwork the meat: When mixing and forming your patties, handle the meat as little as possible. Overworking can make the burgers tough.
- Use a sturdy spatula: A strong, flat spatula is crucial for smashing the patties effectively. The thinner and firmer, the better for getting under the patty and ensuring a good smash.
- High heat is key: Make sure your skillet is very hot before adding your burgers. This high heat is what gives the smash burgers their characteristic crust.
- Cheese: Adding cheese right after flipping ensures it melts perfectly by the time the burger is cooked. Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite.
- Rest: Let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, making it even juicier.
- Seasoning: A simple seasoning of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper is really all you need, but feel free to experiment with garlic powder or smoked paprika for a different twist.
- Grill: You can make smash burgers on a regular grill. Just ensure it’s very hot before adding your patties, and use a heavy-duty spatula to press them down firmly.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Once cooled, place the leftover burger patties in an airtight container. They will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Separate components: Store the buns, toppings, and patties separately to keep everything fresh. This way, you can reheat the patties without making the buns soggy.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your burger again, reheat the patties on a skillet over medium heat until they are thoroughly warmed. Toast the buns and assemble your burger with fresh toppings.
- Freeze: Wrap each cooked patty individually in freezer-safe wrap and store them for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet from frozen.
