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Smash Burger Recipe

This smash burger delivers ultra-crispy lace-edged patties, melty cheese, and big diner-style flavor, made right at home with just a few ingredients. Fast, juicy, and foolproof every time.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

  • Exactly as provided
  • 1 pound 80% lean ground beef shaped loosely into four rustic meat balls
  • Kosher salt small bowl
  • Black pepper small bowl
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a tiny glass dish
  • 4 slices American cheese fanned out
  • 4 soft brioche or potato buns stacked casually
  • Small bowl of mayonnaise
  • Small bowl of ketchup
  • Small bowl of yellow mustard
  • Tiny dish of pickle juice
  • Tiny dish of finely chopped pickles
  • Optional toppings: sliced pickles thin red onion rings, crisp lettuce leaves, tomato slices

Method
 

  1. (Standard smash-burger method based on your ingredient list)
  2. Preheat the skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly coat the surface with the vegetable oil.
  3. Place the meat balls on the hot surface and immediately smash them down firmly using a metal spatula until very thin.
  4. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
  5. Cook until the edges are crispy, about 2 minutes, then flip carefully.
  6. Add a slice of American cheese to each patty and cook for another 1–2 minutes until melted.
  7. Toast the buns lightly on the griddle until golden.
  8. Mix the burger sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and chopped pickles.
  9. Assemble the burgers: spread sauce on the buns, add patties, and layer your preferred toppings (pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato).
  10. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.