Description
This smash burger recipe delivers ultra-thin, crispy-edged patties with juicy centers, layered with melty cheese and classic toppings. Quick, flavorful, and restaurant-quality right from your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 500 g (about 1¼ lb) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 slices cheese (American or cheddar)
- 4 burger buns (brioche or hamburger)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for toasting buns)
- 4 dill pickle slices
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, tomato slices, thinly sliced red onion
- For the sauce (optional): ⅓ cup mayonnaise + 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Divide ground beef into 4 loose balls (~125 g each); keep cold until cooking.
- Butter and toast buns in the skillet until golden, then set aside.
- Place beef balls on the skillet, smash each flat with a spatula to ~½ cm thick.
- Season patties with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until edges are browned and crispy.
- Flip each patty, add a slice of cheese on top, and cook for another 1–1½ minutes.
- Optional: Stack two patties with cheese for a double cheeseburger.
- Spread sauce on bottom bun. Add pickles and other toppings as desired. Add patty (or patties) and top bun. Serve hot.
Notes
- Double up patties for a diner-style burger.
- Try other cheeses like Swiss, Gouda, or pepper-jack for variety.
- Add caramelised onions, mushrooms, or jalapeños for extra flavour.
- Use a burger press or metal spatula to smash the patties evenly.
- Homemade sauce: mayo + mustard, or mix ketchup and garlic for a tangy twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
