Smash Burgers

Smash Burgers

Crispy-edged, juicy smash burgers made the right way — thin patties pressed hard onto a screaming-hot cast iron skillet so the edges lace up and caramelize. Topped with melty American cheese, tangy special sauce, and all your favorite fixings, these come together in under 30 minutes and taste better than any drive-through.

4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Total 25 min

American · Lunch · Dinner · Main Course

Main

  • 1.5 lb 80/20 ground beef divided into 8 loosely packed 3-oz balls
  • 8 slice American cheese
  • 4 whole brioche or potato burger buns split
  • potato burger buns
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or vegetable oil
  • vegetable oil
  • 1 whole white onion thinly sliced into rings
  • 8 slice dill pickles
  • 4 piece green leaf lettuce

Seasoning

  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder

Special Sauce

  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
  • 0.5 tsp white vinegar

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Grill
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the @[Mayonnaise], @[Ketchup], @[Yellow Mustard], @[Dill Pickle Relish], and @[White Vinegar] until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. Combine the @[Salt], @[Black Pepper], and @[Garlic Powder] in a small bowl. Loosely divide the @[Ground Beef] into 8 equal balls (about 3 oz each) — do not pack them tightly. Season the tops of the balls with the spice mix.
  3. Heat a large #[Cast Iron Skillet] over ^[high heat] for ~[2–3 minutes] until very hot. Add the @[Neutral Oil] and swirl to coat. Working in batches of 2–3 balls at a time, place the @[Ground Beef] balls in the skillet and immediately press down firmly with a stiff #[Spatula] (or the back of a heavy #[Gas Grill]) to smash each patty to about ¼-inch thick. Lay a few @[White Onion] rings on top of each patty as you smash.
  4. Cook undisturbed for ~[2 minutes] until the edges are deeply browned and lacy. Flip each patty with a firm scrape of the #[Spatula] to capture the crust. Immediately place 1 slice of @[American Cheese] on each patty. Cook for ~[1 more minute] until the cheese is melted and the second side is browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining patties.
  5. In the same skillet (reduce heat to ^[medium]), place the @[Brioche Burger Buns] cut-side down and toast for ~[1–2 minutes] until golden. Watch closely — they toast fast in the beef drippings.
  6. Spread special sauce generously on both the top and bottom @[Brioche Burger Buns]. Stack 2 cheese-topped patties on each bottom bun. Add @[Dill Pickles], @[Green Leaf Lettuce], and any other desired toppings. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately.