What if I want to make these outdoors? Because, well, summer!

While we typically make these inside on the stove using this griddle (affiliate link) , you could also use the griddle out on the grill. OR if you want to really invest in the al fresco vibes, you could get this flat top grill (affiliate link) .

Are Smash Burgers really worth the hype?

If you're wondering u0022are they really that good?u0022 we can confidently say that YES, they are. What makes them so good: the sauce mixed into the meat for a flavor explosion, and the texture of the patties themselves - crispy-edged but still incredibly juicy and flavorful.

How do you keep the burgers from sticking when you smash them?

The secret is in the parchment paper! Don't skip that step. Cut a small piece of parchment and use that between the meat and the press/spatula - this will keep the patties from sticking.

How can I make these for a crowd?

These are pretty simple to scale up recipe-wise! And for cooking a large number of patties, you'll either have to do them in batches and keep them warm in the oven, or invest in something like the flat top grill linked above to make a large batch at once.

Smash Burgers with House Sauce Recipe

Description

The famous Smash Burger! Deeply crisped, craggy, juicy, squashed patties covered with melty cheese, piled on a buttery bun, and topped with a dreamy zip of secret sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Smash Burger Sauce (for mixing with the ground beef)

4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
a couple swishes of fish sauce (about 1 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Burger Essentials

1 lb. ground beef (80/20 is ideal)
4 Brioche buns
4 slices American cheese (the good kind from the deli)
House Sauce (see notes for recipe – do not skip! this stuff is magical)

Toppings You Might Like

1/2 onion, diced or sliced (sautéed for an extra level up)
4 lettuce leaves
1 tomato
12 pickle slices

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Instructions

Mix the smash burger sauce in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, place the ground beef and pour the sauce over. Mix with your hands to get it well-distributed through the meat. Form into 4 balls. Place the balls in the fridge for 20-30 minutes while you prep everything else. You can even pop it in the freezer for a few minutes – you just want them to be pretty cold so the butter mixture doesn’t immediately melt out everywhere once you start cooking them.
Butter the buns and toast them on your skillet or griddle until golden.
Prep the toppings and house sauce (see notes).
Cut a small piece of parchment paper that you’ll use on top of the burgers to prevent sticking.
Heat a cast iron skillet or flat griddle until it’s very hot; place a few of the burgers on the hot surface. Sprinkle them with a big pinch of salt and let them sit and sizzle for about 20 seconds.
Place the parchment paper on top of each burger and then, using a heavy, flat tool, press the burgers down as flat as you can get them in one swift motion. They’ll be super sizzly and splattery, but they should make a nice, round, thin smash burger shape on the griddle. (The ideal tool for this is a cast iron grill press, but a flat spatula can work in a pinch). Cook for a few minutes and then flip and top with cheese right away. Leave them undisturbed for another 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese and get a max amount of flavorful browning on the back side.
Assemble your burgers! Mine is always a toasted brioche buns, mega flavorful smash burger patty (or 2), cheese, crispy lettuce, and a thick smear of that house sauce. Happy, happy summer.

Equipment

Flat Top Grill

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Cast Iron Press

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Cast Iron Griddle

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The equipment section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.

Notes

House Sauce: Mix 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon horseradish, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire, a quick squeeze of sriracha, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, half of a shallot, minced or grated (or sub a clove of grated garlic). Season with salt to taste. NEXT LEVEL.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: smash burgers, smash sauce, smash burger recipe, best burger recipe