Description
This Smash Burger recipe delivers a perfect restaurant-style burger at home with a crispy crust and juicy interior. Featuring a tangy homemade sauce and perfectly toasted buns, it’s a quick and satisfying meal for any burger lover.
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Burgers
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil (avocado, canola, vegetable, or olive oil)
- 1 lb 80-85% ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 4 burger buns
- Sliced cheese (optional)
Toppings (Optional)
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Onion slices
- Pickle chips
- Other desired toppings
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet relish, and smoked paprika in a bowl until smooth and combined. Cover the sauce and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the burgers.
- Form the Patties: Line a plate with wax paper. Divide the ground beef into four equal portions (about 4 oz or 113 grams each). Use your hands to loosely shape each portion into a round ball, being careful not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness.
- Season and Chill: Place the formed meatballs on the wax paper-lined plate. Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the tops of each ball. Keep them cold in the refrigerator or freezer while you preheat your cooking pan.
- Preheat the Pan: Drizzle about a teaspoon of your chosen cooking oil evenly over a cast iron skillet or heavy-duty pan. Use a paper towel to spread the oil over the entire surface. Heat the pan on medium-high heat until it is very hot and begins to smoke slightly.
- Smash the Burgers: Place one meatball in the hot pan. Immediately press down firmly using a burger press or a large spatula with a mallet to smash the ball flat into a thin patty. If the meat sticks to the press, place a square of parchment paper between the meat and the press. Do not re-press or touch the burger once smashed.
- Cook the First Side: Let the smashed burger cook undisturbed for about one minute, allowing a caramelized crust to form. Sprinkle a bit more salt and pepper on top while it cooks to enhance flavor.
- Flip and Add Cheese: Carefully scrape under the burger to lift the caramelized crust entirely, then flip it carefully. Add a slice of cheese on top if desired. Cook for approximately 45 seconds longer to finish cooking through.
- Rest and Cover: Transfer the cooked patties to a clean plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the buns.
- Toast the Buns: Add the tablespoon of salted butter to the hot pan used for the burgers and let it melt. Turn off the heat and place the burger buns cut-side down onto the pan. Toast briefly until the buns are warm and slightly crispy on the cut side.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread a generous amount of the prepared burger sauce on the toasted buns. Top with a smashed burger and add your preferred toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, or pickles. Serve immediately for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Do not over-handle the meat when forming balls to keep burgers tender.
- Using a cast iron skillet ensures even heat and a great crust.
- Smashing the burger thin helps create the signature crispy edges.
- Adding a parchment paper square between the press and meat prevents sticking and mess.
- You can customize toppings and cheese to your liking for variety.
- Toast buns immediately after cooking burgers using the residual heat in the pan for extra flavor.