Juicy Homemade Smash Burgers Recipe for Fun Family Dinners

Sizzling beef patties with a crispy zest bursting through smash burgers recipe techniques create magic on your home griddle.

These mouthwatering burger delights deliver restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen.

Each thin, caramelized patty promises an incredible crunch with juicy interior that melts in your mouth.

Professional chefs and backyard grill masters swear by this simple yet transformative cooking method.

The secret lies in pressing beef onto screaming hot surfaces, creating delectable golden edges.

Restaurants have long cherished this technique for producing incredibly flavorful burgers with maximum surface browning.

One bite, and you’ll understand why these smashed patties have become a culinary sensation among burger enthusiasts.

Make Smash Burgers in Simple Steps

• Seasoning Blend Prep

Mix together salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to create a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Beef Shaping

Gently form ground beef into loose, imperfect balls – don’t overwork the meat. Sprinkle the magical seasoning mix generously over each ball.

• Skillet Magic

Heat your trusty cast-iron skillet until it’s scorching hot. Splash a touch of oil and drop those beef balls onto the surface. Use a spatula to smash them into thin, crispy-edged patties that will make your mouth water.

• Cooking Perfection

Let the patties sizzle for about 3 minutes until the edges get super crispy. Flip them over and add a slice of cheese if you’re feeling indulgent. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese turns gloriously melty.

• Burger Assembly

Slide those gorgeous patties onto toasted buns and pile on your favorite toppings. Get ready for a burger experience that’ll blow your mind.

Tips for Burger Crust, Juiciness, and Add-Ons

• Achieve restaurant-worthy smash burgers at home with these pro tips.
• Choose ground chuck with 20% fat content for juiciest, most flavorful patties that won't dry out during cooking.
• Use a heavy cast-iron skillet for perfect crispy edges and maximize browning by pressing patties super thin with firm, quick spatula movements.
• Place cheese on hot patties immediately after flipping and cover briefly with a lid to create ultimate melty, gooey texture without overcooking meat.
• Lightly butter and toast burger buns for added crunch and flavor that elevates the entire sandwich experience.

Serve Easy Smash Burgers for Any Meal

• Burger Buddies Plate: Pair these juicy smash burgers with crispy golden french fries or sweet potato wedges for a classic comfort meal that satisfies every craving.
• Gourmet Topping Extravaganza: Load up your burger with caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, tangy pickles, and a dollop of zesty special sauce to elevate the flavor profile.
• Sidekick Sensations: Create a complete dinner experience by adding a fresh coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or a light garden salad to balance the richness of the burger and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Beverage Pairing Perfection: Complement the savory burger with an ice-cold craft beer, a crisp root beer, or a refreshing iced tea to cut through the meat's richness and cleanse the palate.

Reheat and Store Smash Burgers with Ease

• Smart Portioning: Wrap individual burger patties in parchment paper or plastic wrap before refrigerating. This technique prevents sticking and helps maintain their shape for easy future cooking.
• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep raw seasoned beef balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Always place on the bottom shelf to prevent potential cross-contamination with other foods.
• Quick Meal Prep: Create burger patties in advance and stack them between wax paper sheets. Freeze flat in a sealed container for up to one month, allowing fast weeknight dinner options.
• Leftover Love: Store cooked burgers wrapped tightly in aluminum foil in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a skillet or air fryer to maintain crispy edges and prevent drying out within 3 days of original cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Easy Smash Burgers Ingredient Breakdown

• Ground Beef: Choose high-fat content for juicy, flavorful burgers with perfect crispy edges that guarantee delicious results.

• Kosher Salt, Seasoned Salt: Enhances meat's natural flavor and helps create a delectable crust on burger surface.
• Black Pepper: Adds sharp, aromatic warmth that complements beef's rich taste.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces subtle savory depth and classic burger complexity.

• Canola Oil: Provides smooth, even heating surface for achieving golden-brown burger exterior.
• Hamburger Buns: Select fresh, soft buns that can hold burger's weight without falling apart.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Optional ingredient that melts beautifully and adds tangy, creamy dimension.
• Pickles: Brings zesty, crisp contrast to rich meat flavor.
• Red Onion: Offers sharp, fresh bite and crunchy texture.
• Tomato Slices: Adds juicy, refreshing element to burger composition.
• Lettuce: Provides cool, crisp layer with light, green freshness.

Cooking Tools to Smash the Best Burgers

• Cast-iron skillet: Heavy-duty pan that creates perfect crispy burger edges.
• Spatula: Essential for smashing and flipping burgers with precision.
• Small bowl: Needed for mixing seasonings.
• Measuring spoons: Help create consistent seasoning blend.
• Tongs: Great for flipping and moving burgers around the skillet.

Juicy Smash Burgers Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling smash burgers deliver pure culinary excitement from backyard grills across America. Crispy edges, juicy centers, and melted cheese promise a delicious meal that satisfies your deepest burger cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80% fat / 20% lean)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) canola oil
• 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
• Pickle slices
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Tomato slices
• Lettuce

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Combine kosher salt, seasoned salt, ground black pepper, and granulated garlic powder in a small bowl, creating a robust flavor profile for the burger.
2. Meat Handling: Loosely form ground beef into 4 spherical portions, minimally manipulating the meat to preserve its delicate texture and prevent compacting.
3. Spice Infusion: Distribute the seasoning mixture across each beef portion, gently massaging the spices into the meat to ensure comprehensive flavor penetration.
4. Skillet Preparation: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, ensuring the surface reaches an optimal temperature for creating crispy burger edges.
5. Cooking Surface Treatment: Lightly coat the skillet with neutral cooking oil to prevent sticking and promote even browning of the burger patties.
6. Patty Formation and Initial Cooking: Place beef portions in the hot skillet and immediately flatten with a sturdy spatula, creating thin patties that develop a golden-brown, crispy exterior during 2-3 minutes of initial cooking.
7. Finishing and Cheese Application: Flip the patties, add cheese if desired, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the burger reaches the preferred level of doneness.
8. Serving: Transfer the sizzling burgers onto lightly toasted hamburger buns, embellishing with selected condiments and fresh toppings to complete the culinary experience.

Notes

• Meat Handling Tip: Minimize touching ground beef to prevent tough, dense patties and preserve natural juiciness.
• Heat Management: Ensure cast-iron skillet is scorching hot before adding meat to achieve perfect caramelized exterior and crispy edges.
• Seasoning Strategy: Gently massage spices into meat to enhance flavor penetration without overworking the protein.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Add cheese immediately after flipping for optimal melt and seamless integration with hot burger surface.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg