Description
This Smash Burger recipe offers a deliciously crispy-edged burger cooked on a hot grill or skillet, topped with melted American cheese and a tangy, creamy secret sauce. Paired with classic toppings and soft brioche buns, these burgers deliver maximum flavor with a simple and quick cooking process.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 brioche buns
- Toppings: lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions
For the Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat Grill or Skillet: Heat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat to ensure a hot cooking surface for perfect burger searing.
- Mix Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice to blend the secret sauce with a tangy and creamy flavor.
- Form Beef Balls and Season: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls and season each generously with salt and black pepper for flavorful patties.
- Smash and Cook Patties: Place each beef ball on the hot grill or skillet, then smash down firmly with a spatula to form thin patties. Cook for about 3 minutes until crispy edges develop.
- Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the patties, then immediately place a slice of American cheese on each. Cook for an additional minute until the cheese melts perfectly.
- Assemble Burgers: Spread the secret sauce on both sides of brioche buns, then layer with the cheese-topped patties and your choice of toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Using 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat) creates juicy burgers with great flavor.
- Smashing the patties thin helps develop crisp edges and quick cooking.
- You can customize toppings based on preference or what’s available.
- Grilling adds a smoky flavor, but a cast iron skillet works well for indoor cooking.
- Serve with fries or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: smash burger, easy burger recipe, secret sauce burger, American cheese burger, grilled burgers, homemade burgers
