Description
Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with these juicy smash burgers, featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and your choice of toppings. Ideal for any gathering, these burgers are sure to satisfy your cravings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 4 slices of American cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 4 burger buns (preferably brioche)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- Pickles, for topping
- Ketchup, for serving
- Mustard, for serving
- Lettuce (optional)
- Tomato (optional)
Instructions
- Take the ground beef out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to come to room temperature.
- Season the beef with about 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper for every pound of beef.
- Divide the beef into four equal portions (about 4 ounces each) and gently form each portion into a loose ball.
- Slice the onion thinly. Optionally, caramelize the onions in a skillet with a bit of oil over medium heat until golden brown (about 10-15 minutes) or set aside raw.
- If using, wash the lettuce leaves and slice the tomato into rounds. Set aside for assembly.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.
- Add a little oil to the skillet to coat the bottom lightly.
- Place one beef ball in the skillet and smash it down firmly with a spatula or burger press until about ½ inch thick.
- Season the smashed burger with salt and pepper immediately after smashing.
- Cook the burger for about 2-3 minutes without moving it to form a nice crust.
- Check the bottom of the burger; if its deep golden brown, flip it over.
- Place a slice of cheese on top immediately after flipping and cover the skillet with a lid for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
- Toast the burger buns in a separate skillet with a little butter until golden brown.
- Start with the bottom half of the toasted bun.
- Place the smashed burger with melted cheese on top.
- Add a generous amount of sliced onions (caramelized if preferred).
- If using, add lettuce and tomato.
- Finish with pickles, ketchup, and mustard to taste.
- Place the top half of the bun on the burger and gently press to hold everything together.
- Serve the smash burgers with a side of crispy fries or onion rings, or whip up a quick coleslaw for a refreshing side.
Notes
- For a sweeter flavor, caramelize the onions before adding them to the burger.
- Feel free to customize toppings based on your preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes