Description
Juicy smash burgers with crispy edges, served on toasted buns with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 chuck recommended)
- 4 brioche or potato buns
- 4 slices American cheese (optional)
- 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 4 pickle slices (optional)
- Lettuce leaves (optional)
- Tomato slices (optional)
- Ketchup, mustard, or preferred sauce (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or neutral oil
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions. Do not form patties yet.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until smoking. Add butter or oil.
- Place one portion of ground beef in the hot skillet. Immediately smash it down with a sturdy spatula until very thin, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned.
- Flip the burger. If using cheese, place a slice on top immediately.
- Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked through.
- While the burgers cook, lightly toast the buns on the griddle or in a separate pan.
- Remove the cooked burger from the skillet and repeat with the remaining beef portions.
- Assemble the burgers: place a patty on the bottom bun, add desired toppings and condiments, and cover with the top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a heavy, flat spatula or a bacon press to smash the burgers for best results.
- Do not overwork the meat before smashing, as this can make the burgers tough.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet; cook burgers in batches if necessary.
- For extra flavor, mix a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder into the beef before smashing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg