Weeknight • Beef
Crispy Smash Burgers with Special Sauce
Achieve restaurant-quality smash burgers at home with crispy edges and a tangy secret sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Say goodbye to bland, thick patties and hello to the glorious, crispy-edged, juicy perfection of a homemade Smash Burger! This isn't just any burger; it's an experience. With simple techniques and a killer special sauce, you'll be creating diner-worthy masterpieces right in your own kitchen, quickly and easily.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
For the Burgers
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 fat ratio is best)
- 4 hamburger buns, buttered and toasted
- 4 slices American cheese (or cheese of choice)
- 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Dill pickle slices, for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste (kosher salt preferred)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter for skillet
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp finely minced dill pickle
- 1/2 tbsp finely minced red onion
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare the special sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 2
Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 3 oz each) and gently form into loose balls. Do not press or overwork the meat. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Step 3
Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works best) or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter.
Step 4
Place two beef balls on the hot skillet, spaced apart. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each ball and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash them flat to about 1/4 inch thickness. Hold for 10-15 seconds to create a good crust.
Step 5
Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove parchment paper and scrape under the patties to release the crust. Flip the patties. Immediately place a slice of cheese on each patty.
Step 6
Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are crispy. Remove from skillet. Repeat with remaining beef balls, cleaning the skillet between batches if necessary.
Step 7
Assemble burgers: Spread special sauce on both halves of toasted buns. Layer two cheeseburger patties on each bottom bun. Top with thinly sliced onion, pickles, and the top bun. Serve immediately.
Tips
- A very hot skillet is key for that crispy 'smash' crust.
- Use fresh ground beef with a good fat content for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Don't skip toasting the buns! It adds crucial texture and prevents sogginess.
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