Smash Burgers Recipe

Ground beef: The main component of the burger, providing the rich, meaty flavor. Opt for an 80/20 blend for the best results.

Burger buns: Soft and slightly sweet, these buns will hold your burger and toppings together.

American cheese: Melts perfectly over the hot burger, adding a creamy texture and mild flavor.

Cheddar cheese: An alternative to American cheese, offering a sharper taste.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the beef.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the burger.

Lettuce: Provides a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich beef.

Tomato: Adds juiciness and a slight tang.

Pickles: Offers a crunchy, tangy bite that complements the savory burger.

When smashing the ground beef balls, use a sturdy spatula and apply firm, even pressure to ensure the patties are thin and cook evenly. This technique helps achieve the signature crispy edges and juicy interior of a perfect smash burger.

• ground beef (80/20) - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can still provide a juicy burger when cooked properly.

• ground beef (80/20) - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is another lean alternative that can be seasoned well to mimic the flavor of beef.

• burger buns - Substitute with lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, use large lettuce leaves to wrap the burger.

• burger buns - Substitute with whole wheat buns: Whole wheat buns offer more fiber and nutrients compared to regular burger buns.

• american or cheddar cheese - Substitute with Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese melts well and provides a slightly nutty flavor.

• american or cheddar cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts smoothly and adds a mild, creamy flavor.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor and reduce the need for additional salt.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick and can enhance the overall flavor of the burger.

• lettuce - Substitute with spinach: Spinach provides more nutrients and a slightly different texture.

• tomato - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor to the burger.

• pickles - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños add a spicy and tangy flavor, giving the burger a bit of heat.

• Allow the burger patties to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.

• Wrap each burger patty individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.

• Place the wrapped patties in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.

• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of their freshness. Smash burgers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

• To reheat refrigerated smash burgers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the patties on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

• For frozen patties, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by increasing the oven time to 20-25 minutes.

• If you prefer using a microwave, place the patty on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

• To maintain the crispy edges of the smash burgers, you can reheat them on a griddle or cast iron skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side.

• Store burger buns separately in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them and thaw at room temperature before use.

• Keep toppings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles fresh by storing them in separate containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the smash burgers with fresh toppings just before serving for the best taste and texture.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each burger patty in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the burger patty on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to avoid overcooking.
• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the burger patty in the basket and heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through for even reheating.
• To reheat on the stovetop, preheat a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or beef broth to the skillet to create steam, then place the burger patty in the skillet. Cover with a lid and heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping once.
• For the burger buns, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds to soften. Alternatively, you can toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes or until warm and slightly crispy.

• Griddle: A flat cooking surface that provides even heat distribution, perfect for cooking smash burgers.

• Cast iron skillet: An alternative to a griddle, it retains heat well and gives a nice sear to the burgers.

• Spatula: Used to smash the beef balls flat and to flip the burgers.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the buns and handling the burgers.

• Meat thermometer: Optional, but useful for checking the internal temperature of the burgers to ensure they are cooked to your preference.

• Cutting board: A surface to divide and roll the ground beef into balls.

• Knife: For slicing any optional toppings like lettuce, tomato, or pickles.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for holding the ground beef before dividing it into portions.

• Plate: To assemble and serve the finished burgers.

• Paper towels: For blotting any excess grease from the burgers or cleaning up spills.

Preheat the skillet: Preheat your griddle or cast iron skillet while you prepare the ground beef to save time.

Prep toppings in advance: Slice your lettuce, tomato, and pickles ahead of time so they are ready to go.

Use parchment paper: Place a piece of parchment paper over the beef balls before smashing to prevent sticking.

Melt cheese faster: Cover the burgers with a lid after adding cheese to speed up melting.

Toast buns together: Toast all burger buns at once on the griddle to save time.