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I love a good burger! Smash burgers are easy to prepare and come together so fast. If ever I’m craving a good old-fashioned burger, these smash burgers are my go-to recipe!
Every now and again I like to switch it up and get creative with my burger flavors. My amazing grilled burger is a must because it is packed with flavor! However, if you haven’t tried a turkey burger you should give them a try! This burger is so juicy and cooks quickly in the air fryer.
What Is a Smash Burger?
Bring the diner-style burger to your home by using the smash technique to cook your patties. Pressing the beef creates a crispy yet juicy crust that cooks up in minutes and is the star of your burger! Smash burgers have been around for a while. Popular in burger joints across the country, smash burgers are known for how quickly they cook up. A browned and crispy outside edge is the trick to this burger, but the surprise is the thin yet juicy patty when you bite into it.
Once you try this burger, you’ll experience what I’m talking about! Then you can plan your next BBQ and wow all your guests by serving these amazing burgers. And because you’re on a roll, serve your burgers with refreshing fruit, the best fries, and the world’s best fry sauce. You will forever have people wanting to come to your house for a BBQ!
Ingredients You Need to Make Smash Burgers
The smash burger is known for its simplicity. Basic yet delicious ingredients make these burgers unforgettable. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient measurements.
- Ground Beef: 80/20 is THE PERFECT ratio!
- Salt & Black Pepper: Season the beef with salt and pepper. It really is all the seasoning you need!
- American Cheese: Trust me on this one. Nothing melts better on a hamburger than American cheese.
- Tomato: Slice a red, ripe, juicy tomato. On the vine tomatoes are my favorite for burgers.
- Butter Lettuce: I love to use soft butter lettuce leaves in hamburgers. They lay so nicely between the layers of ingredients.
- Brioche or Potato Buns: The hint of sweetness in the brioche bun helps balance the salty flavors. You can’t beat a soft bun!
- Butter: Be sure to butter those buns before toasting them! The butter gives the bun flavor and browns them beautifully.
How Do I Make Smash Burgers?
My step-by-step instructions walk you through the whole process of making smash burgers. I guarantee these will be the easiest burgers you will EVER make! Just stick with my instructions and tips and you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy and fast these burgers come together.
Prep and Cook
- Form Balls: Divide the ground beef evenly into 3-ounce portions and form into beef balls. Cover and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Prep the Toppings: Slice the tomato, wash the lettuce, and then prepare any other ingredients that you would like on your hamburger.
- Toast the Buns: Butter both sides of the hamburger buns. Toast the inside of each bun on a griddle or skillet for about 20 seconds or under golden brown. Set aside.
- Preheat: Heat your griddle or cast iron skillet to 400° Farhenheit.
- Cook: Place two balls of beef on the hot griddle or skillet. You can cook all of the hamburgers at the same time if your griddle will fit them all. Just work quickly because the meat cooks fast.
Smash, Cook and Assemble
- Smash: Press the ball of meat down with a large flat metal spatula. Get the patty as flat and thin as you can. You’ll be doubling up the patties, so don’t be nervous about a thin patty. It helps to cover the meat with a piece of parchment paper to prevent the meat from sticking to the spatula.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
- Flip: Flip both patties with a metal spatula making sure to scrape up the crusty layer that has formed on the burger underneath.
- Add Cheese: Place a slice of cheese on top of one of the patties.
- Cook: Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Once the meat is cooked through then place the patty without cheese on top of the patty with cheese. The melted cheese will be sandwiched between both patties.
- Add Toppings: Prepare your hamburger by taking the bottom toasted bun and layering on your favorite condiments, followed by lettuce, tomato, and onion.
- Assemble: Lastly, place your smashed burger on top of the layered vegetables. The meat will help keep everything from sliding out when you eat it! Top it with the other half of your toasted bun and enjoy!
Smash Burger Tips
There is a reason why the smash burger is popular in the restaurant biz! Fast, easy, and bursting with juicy flavor. Follow my tips to guarantee you a restaurant-quality burger made at home.
- 80/20 Ground Beef: 20% fat in your beef is key! Trust me on this one, it results in a JUICY burger.
- Use a Griddle, not a Grill! Don’t use the BBQ grill for this burger. A hot flat griddle is ideal. A large cast iron skillet also works.
- Chilled Beef: Cold beef traps in the fat before it hits the hot griddle.
- Smashing Tips: Use parchment paper between the patty and the spatula. It helps prevent the meat from sticking to the spatula. If needed, a kitchen mallet can be used to help flatten the patty.
- Caramelized Crusty Layer: Flattening the burger helps the fat create a caramelized crusty layer on the burger.
- It Cooks up FAST: Smash burgers are meant to cook in 1-2 minutes, so work quickly!
- Double it Up: The burgers are so thin, that doubling them up is a must. Plus, the cheese melts nicely when it’s nestled between two patties.
How to Store Leftover Smash Burgers
These burgers are just as good the next day, so make sure you save your leftovers. Store the ingredients separately and then assemble them when you’re ready for another burger. Follow my tips for storing and reheating.
- In the Refrigerator: Once your burgers have cooked and cooled, place them in an airtight container. Store cooked patties in the fridge for up to 4 days!
- In the Freezer: Don’t freeze the cooked patties. If you need to freeze the burgers, freeze the portioned raw balls of meat. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and cook the patty as directed in the instructions.
- To Reheat: My favorite way to reheat leftover smash burgers is in the air fryer at 350° Farhenheit for 5 minutes flipping halfway through. Warming the patties in the microwave for 1-2 minutes is an option as well.
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Divide the ground beef evenly into 3-ounce portions and form into balls. Cover and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
-
Slice the tomato, wash the lettuce, and prepare any other ingredients that you would like on your hamburger.
-
Butter both sides of each bun. Toast the inside of each bun on a griddle or skillet for about 20 seconds or under golden brown. Set aside.
-
Heat your griddle or cast iron skillet to 400° Farhenheit.
-
Place two balls of beef on the hot griddle or skillet. You can cook all of the hamburgers at the same time if your griddle will fit them all. Just work quickly because the meat cooks fast.
-
Press the ball of meat down with a large flat metal spatula. Get the patty as flat and thin as you can. You’ll be doubling up the patties, so don’t be nervous about a thin patty. It helps to cover the meat with a piece of parchment paper to prevent the meat from sticking to the spatula.
-
Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
-
Flip both patties with a metal spatula making sure to scrape up the crusty layer that has formed on the burger underneath.
-
Place a slice of cheese on top of one of the patties.
-
Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Once the meat is cooked through, place the patty without cheese on top of the patty with cheese. The melted cheese will be sandwiched between both patties.
-
Prepare your hamburger by taking the bottom toasted bun and layering on your favorite condiments, followed by lettuce, tomato, and onion.
-
Lastly, place your smashed burger on top of the layered vegetables. The meat will help keep everything from sliding out when you eat it! Top it with the other half of your toasted bun and enjoy!
Serves: 5
Serving1hamburgerCalories775kcal (39%)Carbohydrates40g (13%)Protein29g (58%)Fat55g (85%)Saturated Fat29g (145%)Polyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat13gTrans Fat2gCholesterol259mg (86%)Sodium888mg (37%)Potassium346mg (10%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar1g (1%)Vitamin A1513IU (30%)Vitamin C4mg (5%)Calcium291mg (29%)Iron3mg (17%)
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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