Description
Homemade smashed patty burger with secret sauce delivers classic American diner flavors in a simple, irresistible package. Crispy edges, juicy center, and tangy sauce make this burger a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 4 slices american cheese
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- ½ onion, sliced
- 2 tomato slices
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 4 pickle slices
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper into a smooth, zesty secret sauce. Refrigerate for flavor infusion and intensification.
- Meat Preparation: Portion ground beef into loose spheres, generously seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Patty Searing: Ignite a cast-iron skillet to smoking temperature. Drop beef spheres onto the scorching surface, immediately smashing with a sturdy spatula to create thin, crispy-edged patties.
- Cooking Process: Sear patties for 2 minutes, developing a golden-brown crust. Flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes, achieving medium doneness with a juicy core and crisp exterior.
- Bun Preparation: Lightly toast brioche or potato buns until golden and crisp. Lavishly coat both bun surfaces with the chilled secret sauce.
- Burger Assembly: Layer crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, delicate red onion rings, and tangy dill pickle rounds on the bottom bun. Position hot smashed patties atop the vegetable foundation.
- Final Touch: Cap the burger with the sauce-laden top bun, gently pressing to harmonize flavors. Slice diagonally and present with extra secret sauce alongside.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose 80/20 ground beef for maximum juiciness and flavor, ensuring fat content creates perfect crispy edges and tender interior.
- Heat Management Critical: Cast-iron skillet must be smoking hot to develop signature crispy crust and achieve restaurant-quality sear on burger patties.
- Seasoning Technique: Apply kosher salt and black pepper generously just before cooking to enhance meat’s natural flavors without drawing out moisture.
- Smashing Method Precision: Press patties firmly with spatula immediately after placing on hot surface, creating thin, crisp edges while maintaining juicy center.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg