Perfect Smash Burgers every time! These burgers are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfectly seared for optimal flavor. Delicious with or without cheese… and extra delicious with our homemade burger sauce!
I had an experience the other day that completely changed my life. And I’m not just being dramatic. I took my kids out for $5 burger night at a local restaurant… and I ordered my first burger in 30+ years.
Now, that may not seem like a life changing experience, but it absolutely was. Because I was vegetarian for 10 years, and ever since then, I was convinced I didn’t like burgers. But based on my experience at $5 burger night? It turns out I do!
So much so that I felt the need to re-create this delicious smash burger at home!
There’s something about a smash burger that just hits different… similar to thin, crispy fries or well done bacon. I love the deliciously crispy edges, which give smash burgers the best texture and so much amazing flavor.
These burgers cook up in minutes and are the perfect base for any… or all… of your favorite toppings! Enjoy!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Ground beef – I used an 85/15 ground beef blend. Substitute ground chicken, turkey, or your favorite plant-based option if you prefer.
Seasonings – I kept it simple with salt & pepper, but feel free to use any burger seasonings you like.
Cheese – Cheese is an optional but delicious addition. I used sliced American cheese.
Buns – Potato rolls, brioche buns, kaiser rolls, or regular old hamburger buns. You choose!
Toppings – I added lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, grilled onions, and homemade burger sauce. Feel free to add any of your favorite toppings… or none at all!
how to make smash burgers
Divide the meat. Divide the meat into 2-3 ounce portions.
Roll it into meatballs. Roll each portion loosely into a ball.
Smash & season. Add to a hot griddle (we used medium-high heat) and season with salt & pepper OR any of your favorite burger seasonings. Smash burgers using a burger press or large metal spatula. For best results, I would highly recommend using a burger press.
Cook & flip. Grill for 1 minute on the first side, then flip the burgers, add cheese, and grill 1 minute more or until cheese is fully melted.
how to make smash burgers without a blackstone
Do you need a Blackstone to make smash burgers? Absolutely not! I use a griddle insert with my outdoor grill, but you can also use a countertop electric griddle or a large skillet on the stovetop.
Tips for Success
Use the right kind of meat. Since these burgers are so thin, you definitely want to choose meat with some amount of fat in it. I used an 85/15 ground beef, but 80/20 would also work. This blend of meat and fat will yield a juicy burger with a flavorful, crispy crust.
Use the right amount of meat. In other words, don’t use too much! Smash burgers are meant to be thin, and using too much meat will make that hard to accomplish. I would suggest using 2-3 ounces of meat per patty.
Don’t overcook. Smash burgers cook quickly! 1-2 minutes per side over medium-high heat is really all you need.
Double it up. My personal favorite way to eat smash burgers is to double them up! This ensures a good meat to bun ratio and really allows you to taste the burgers.
Add sauce & toppings. A good burger has good toppings… and a good burger sauce. End of story! Add your favorites and let everyone else choose their own. A win-win!
smash burger toppings
When it comes to burgers, the topping options are limitless. These are some of our go-to topping suggestions, but feel free to mix it up with whatever YOU like!
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Onions (raw, grilled, or Crispy Onion Strings)
- Pickles or pickle relish
- Cheese
- Bacon (our favorite ways to make it are this Oven Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon)
- Burger Sauce or Big Mac Sauce
- Ketchup & mustard
- Garlic Aioli
Recipe Variations
- Substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or plant-based protein
- Season with any of your favorite burger seasonings
- Top with cheddar, colby jack, pepperjack, swiss, or any of your favorite cheeses
- Make it into a patty melt using toasted bread and grilled onions
- Add it to a Big Mac Salad in place of the ground beef & cheese
- Top with any of your favorite toppings (see my favorites above!)
More Delicious Burger Recipes
Looking for more unique, delicious burger ideas? These are some of our favorites!
Smash Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef 85/15 or 80/20 blend
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 8 slices American cheese OR cheddar OR Colby Jack
- 8 hamburger buns
- burger sauce to taste
- lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, or any toppings of your choice
Instructions
- Heat griddle to medium-high heat.
- Divide meat into 8 equal parts; roll each into a ball.
- Melt butter on the griddle (1/2 Tablespoon per burger) and add meat balls.
- Use a burger press to smash the meat into 1/4 inch thick patties. Grill for 1 minute, then flip and add cheese.
- Continue grilling 1-2 minutes more, until cheese is fully melted. Remove from griddle.
- Place each patty on a bun (or double up!) and add toppings of your choice.
Notes
Toppings:
-
- Lettuce
-
- Tomatoes
-
- Onions (raw, grilled, or Crispy Onion Strings)
-
- Pickles or pickle relish
-
- Cheese
-
- Bacon (our favorite ways to make it are this Oven Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon)
-
- Ketchup & mustard
leave a reply