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Smash burger
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The Smash Burger

The Smash burger, is a diner style burger made on a griddle or a cast iron pan that is juicy with crispy edges paired with grilled onions and secret sauce - its the ultimate burger recipe to have in your burger repertoire!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Burgers, Smash Burger
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to make smash burger
Servings: 8 burgers
Author: Robyn (GrillGirl)

Ingredients

For the Burgers

  • 9 ” cast iron skillet or grill grates flipped to the flat side
  • 2 lbs ground chuck roast 80% lean, 20% fat
  • ½ stick butter divided in half
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. kosher sea salt divided
  • ½ Tbsp. coarsely ground pepper divided

For the Secret Sauce

  • ½ cup mayo
  • 2 tbsp. ketchup
  • 1 tbsp. mustard
  • 1 tbsp. pickle relish either sweet or dill is okay
  • 1 dash onion powder
  • 1 dash smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Mix secret sauce ingredients and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. 
  • Very gently, form the ground beef into rough balls — just enough to give them shape without compressing the beef. (These burgers will be flattened straight on the grill to create crispy edges from cooking).
  • Heat your grill to 400 degrees on medium-high direct heat. 
  • Place a large cast iron skillet on the grill or, use the flat, griddle side of grill grates. Give your surface a few minutes to get nice and hot. 
  • Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add onions and let them cook until translucent. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside. 
  • Add more butter. Working in batches, place burgers on the skillet and flatten with a metal spatula to ½-inch thick. Sprinkle the burgers with salt and pepper.
  • Flip the burgers when the edges begin to form a nice, crispy crust. 
  • Add cheese and continue to cook. Remove the burgers once both sides have achieved those crispy griddled edges. 
  • To assemble burgers, slather the bun in secret sauce. Next, add a patty and top with grilled onions. Optionally, add tomato and pickles. 

Notes

I've used affiliate links in this post. I only recommend products I use myself!