Smash Burger Night Done Right
Thin patties, crispy edges, melty cheddar, quick onions, pickles, and a smoky burger sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb ground beef, 80/20 if possible
- 4 soft burger buns, split and toasted
- 8 cheddar slices
- Dill pickles and shaved white onion
- 2 tbsp butter or beef tallow for the pan
- 1/3 cup mayo, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika, pickle juice, salt, and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Stir mayo, ketchup, mustard, smoked paprika, a splash of pickle juice, salt, and pepper into a quick burger sauce. Chill it while the grill or griddle heats.
- Divide the beef into eight loose balls. Do not overwork them; rough edges become crispy edges.
- Heat a cast iron pan or flat top until very hot. Add butter or tallow, place down two beef balls, and smash hard with parchment and a spatula.
- Season the patties, cook until the edges are deeply browned, then scrape and flip. Add cheddar immediately and let it melt.
- Stack two patties per bun with sauce, pickles, shaved onion, and the toasted top bun. Press once so everything gets friendly.