Description
A quick and easy smash burger recipe that creates a thin, crispy, lacy crust in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers diner-style flavor at home with simple ingredients like 80/20 ground beef and American cheese.
Ingredients
1 pound Ground beef (80/20 blend)
4 soft Hamburger buns
4 slices American cheese
To taste Salt & black pepper
1/2 small Yellow onion (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup Dill pickle chips
For spreading Yellow mustard & ketchup
1 tablespoon Neutral oil (avocado or canola)
Instructions
- Divide ground beef into 4 equal balls; do not press them
- Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat; add oil until smoking hot
- Place a beef ball on the hot surface; immediately use a strong spatula to smash it flat to about 1/4 inch thi
- Season generously with salt and pepper; cook for exactly 2 minutes without moving
- Add a slice of onion on top before flipping; flip carefully (crust should be deep brown) and immediately top with cheese; cook for another minute
- While patty cooks, toast buns in pan drippings
- Assemble burger: spread mustard and ketchup on bun, add pickles, place cheesy patty, close bun, and enjoy immediately
- Repeat for remaining patties
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for best crust; do not overwork the meat.
Ensure pan is extremely hot (preheat for at least 5 minutes) for a crispy crust.
Press down hard and fast with a paper-thin spatula; do not move patty while cooking.
Toast buns to prevent sogginess; let burgers rest 1 minute before serving.
Store leftover patties separately from buns in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in a hot skillet (not microwave) for 1 minute per side.
Uncooked beef balls can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: smash burger, burger, quick dinner, american, weeknight meal