Description
This ultimate smash burger recipe delivers crispy, caramelized edges, juicy beef, and perfectly melted cheese in under 20 minutes. Made with simple ingredients and high-heat technique, these burgers taste just like your favorite restaurant version—only better at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
- 4 brioche or potato buns
- Butter, for toasting buns
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Dill pickle chips
- Thin-sliced red onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice to make the sauce. Set aside.
- Divide ground beef into 4 loose balls without overworking.
- Place beef ball on hot surface and smash firmly with a spatula.
- Season with salt and pepper and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes.
- Scrape and flip patty, add cheese, and cook 1 minute until melted.
- Butter and toast buns until golden.
- Assemble burgers with sauce, toppings, and smash patty. Serve immediately.
Notes
Smash once only and avoid moving the patty while cooking to achieve crispy edges and maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: smash burger recipe, crispy smash burgers, homemade smash burgers, diner style burgers