Let’s talk about that ultra-thin patty: it’s the key to making your Smash burger taste even cheesier with just one slice of cheese. When the patty is thinner, the cheese-to-beef ratio becomes higher, and that makes each bite packed with flavor. It enhances the overall taste, provides a satisfying texture, and creates a memorable eating experience. The best part? You can easily whip up 4 delicious burgers in about 20 minutes while you let some frozen fries bake in the oven.
What’s to Love?
A Double Decker Pesto Papi Burger is a dream come true with its juicy patties, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and a burst of flavorful sauce. These burgers are quick, easy, and packed with crispy, cheesy goodness. The ultra-thin patties cook up fast, eliminating the worry of overcooking or undercooking, leaving you with juicy perfection. Every bite delivers more cheese, more crunch, and more satisfaction. Plus, the golden-brown edges of the patties and the high cheese-to-beef ratio elevate the burger’s flavor to new heights.
Essential Ingredients for Smash Burgers
- Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef, which shrinks less as it cooks, ensuring a juicy patty that holds its shape and flavor.
- Cheese: Deli-sliced American cheese is the top choice for that melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s far better than those processed, individually wrapped slices.
- Hamburger Bun: A soft, squishy bun is essential for a perfect Smash Burger. Martin’s potato buns are ideal for the best texture, though any soft bun works well. Avoid heavy options like brioche or pretzel buns, as they can overpower the burger’s flavor
- Toppings: Keep it simple with burger sauce and pickle chips, or add a little lettuce, tomato, and onion for a complete Smash Burger experience.
How to Make Smash Burgers
- Toast the Buns: Start by heating a large cast iron skillet and toasting 4 buttered hamburger buns, cut-side down, until golden-brown. If needed, toast them in batches. Place the buns on a serving platter with the cut sides facing up.
- Prepare the Beef: Divide 1 pound of ground beef into 4 equal portions. Shape each into a ball and season with kosher salt and black pepper for flavor.
- Heat the Skillet: Crank up the skillet to a high heat and place two beef balls in the pan, spaced apart. Use a metal spatula to press each ball flat, ensuring even flattening. Let them cook until the bottom is nicely browned, with the edges showing some grey color.
- Add the Cheese: Place a slice of American cheese on each patty before flipping. Gently flip each patty, scraping up any caramelized crust, and cook until the other side is browned and the cheese is melted. Place the cooked patties on the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Repeat the process for the remaining two patties.
Assemble and Serve: Add your favorite toppings and enjoy your Smash Burger right away.
Alternate Options
If you’re craving something a little different, consider experimenting with other proteins like chicken, turkey, or even plant-based options for your Smash Burger. You can also make your patties thinner by splitting the ground beef into 8 smaller balls and pressing them into ultra-thin patties. These cook super fast—about 1 minute per side. Top half of these thin patties with cheese, and stack two patties per bun for even more crispy goodness. You can also skip the cheese or swap it out for other varieties like cheddar, Gouda, Muenster, or Swiss.
For extra flavor, try pressing super-thin slices of onion into the patties just before flipping. This will create a perfect caramelized onion crust when you turn them over.
Storing and Preparing Ahead Tips
Preparing your toppings ahead of time is a great time-saver. Store your prepped burger toppings in airtight containers in the refrigerator, and you’ll be all set when it’s time to assemble your Smash Burgers. Leftover burger patties can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but make sure to store them separately from the buns and toppings to keep everything fresh.
Extra Tasty Toppings for Smash Burgers
- Caramelized onions for a sweet and savory kick
- Savory sautéed mushrooms
- Crunchy, crispy bacon strips
- Sliced avocado for creamy richness
- Tangy pickled or crispy raw jalapeños for an added zing
- Sunny-side-up eggs for extra richness
Burger sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, or Big Mac sauce for extra flavor
Perfect Pairings for Smash Burgers
- Crispy shoestring fries
- Zesty Cajun fries
- Flavorful potato salad
- Sweet potato fries for a twist
- Comforting and creamy coleslaw
- Cool and crisp cucumber salad
Smush Burger Recipe
Craving a juicy, crispy-edged burger? This Smush Burger recipe delivers bold flavors in every bite, making it the perfect choice for your next dinner.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 610 kcal per serving
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 slices deli-style American cheese
- 4 soft hamburger buns (Martin’s potato buns recommended)
- Burger sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Pickle chips
- Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato slices, thinly sliced red onion
Instructions:
- Toast the Buns: Toast your buttered buns on a hot skillet until they’re golden-brown.
- Shape the Beef: Divide the beef into 4 portions, shaping them into balls, and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Patties: Heat your skillet and cook the beef balls, pressing them flat until the bottom is browned. Add cheese before flipping the patties and cook until the cheese melts
- Assemble and Serve: Place the cheese-covered patties on the bottom halves of the buns, add your toppings, and enjoy!
Notes:
- Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 610 kcal
Total Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Sugar: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Sodium: 810mg
Common Questions About Smash Burgers
- What is a Smash Burger?
Smash Burgers are made by pressing a ground beef ball onto a hot griddle or skillet, creating a crispy, flavorful crust. The process enhances the flavor through the Maillard reaction, giving you a burger with a caramelized exterior and a juicy center. - Can I use different types of meat?
Absolutely! You can try using ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even plant-based meat options for your Smash Burgers. Just keep an eye on cooking times and fat content to ensure the patties cook properly. - Why shape the meat into a ball before smashing it?
Shaping the meat into a ball before pressing it ensures that the patty is evenly spread out and cooks consistently, achieving the perfect crispy crust on the outside and a juicy interior. - How do I keep my Smash Burgers from sticking to the pan?
Make sure your skillet is preheated to a high temperature before adding the patties. A light coating of oil will help prevent sticking and ensure a smooth flip. - What’s the trick to getting that perfect “smash”?
The key is to press the meatball down firmly and evenly on the hot skillet, creating a large surface area that enhances the burger’s sear. Press down for about 10-15 seconds to create that signature crispy, flavorful crust.
Smash Burgers are quick, easy, and incredibly delicious—perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend treat. Enjoy the crispy edges, juicy centers, and all the mouthwatering flavors!