The Ultimate Quick & Juicy Smash Burgers Recipe for Burger Lovers

Smash burgers revolutionize the traditional patty with their unique cooking technique that reinvents ordinary ground beef into a culinary sensation.

These incredibly thin, crisp-edged delights capture the essence of quick and satisfying comfort food.

Each burger promises a spectacular blend of textures that dance between crunchy exterior and tender interior.

Restaurant-quality results emerge from a simple kitchen method that maximizes flavor and minimizes preparation time.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the straightforward approach to creating mouthwatering meat masterpieces.

Weekend grill enthusiasts will find these compact creations perfect for spontaneous gatherings and casual meals.

The magic lies in the technique that elevates everyday ingredients into something extraordinary.

How to Cook the Perfect Easy Smash Burgers

Step 1: Prepare Burger Seasoning

Mix kosher salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl to create a flavorful spice blend.

Step 2: Form Beef Patties

Gently divide ground beef into 4 loose balls. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture evenly over each beef ball.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Surface

Place a cast-iron skillet on the stove and heat over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add a light coat of oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Create Smash Burgers

Place the seasoned beef balls into the hot skillet. Use a sturdy spatula to firmly press each ball, transforming them into thin, crispy-edged patties.

Step 5: Cook to Perfection

• Add cheese slices (optional)
• Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and burger reaches desired doneness

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Fresh lettuce
• Sliced tomatoes
• Pickles
• Onions
• Condiments

Serve immediately and savor the delicious smash burger experience.

Tips for Achieving the Ultimate Smash Burger

• Master the Meat Handling: Create loose, barely-packed beef balls to ensure maximum crispy edges and tender texture.
• Preheat Perfectly: Get your cast-iron skillet blazing hot before adding oil to guarantee those signature caramelized burger crusts.
• Press with Purpose: Use a sturdy spatula to smash patties super thin, creating maximum crispy surface area and delicious browned bits.
• Cheese Timing Trick: Add cheese immediately after flipping to help it melt smoothly and integrate with the hot burger surface.
• Season Strategically: Mix salt, pepper, and seasonings beforehand to ensure even flavor distribution throughout the meat.

How to Keep Your Easy Smash Burgers Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store leftover smash burgers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, these patties will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep burgers separate from buns to maintain their crispy texture.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm burgers quickly in a skillet over medium heat. Place patties in the pan for 2-3 minutes, flipping once to ensure even heating. Add a splash of oil to prevent sticking and help restore the original crispy edges.
• Microwave Caution: While convenient, microwaving can make burger patties tough and rubbery. If using this method, cover the burger with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent overcooking. Best to reheat just before serving to maintain flavor and texture.

Best Toppings for Easy Smash Burgers

• Pair with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or a light lager that cuts through the burger's richness, enhancing the meat's savory flavors and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Tangy Coleslaw: Create a zesty side dish with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a creamy dressing to balance the burger's bold and meaty profile, adding a crunchy texture.
• Complement with Thick-Cut Potato Wedges: Serve golden, seasoned potato wedges as a perfect accompaniment, offering a crispy exterior and soft interior that echoes the burger's satisfying crunch.
• Pour Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to stand up to the burger's intense beef flavor, creating a luxurious dining experience with deep, complementary notes.

Fun Variations on Easy Smash Burgers

• Spicy Southwest Smash Burgers: Add diced jalapeños and chili powder to the seasoning mix, topping with pepper jack cheese and fresh salsa.
• Mediterranean Lamb Smash Burgers: Replace ground beef with ground lamb, mix in dried oregano and mint, serve with tzatziki sauce and crumbled feta.
• Smoky BBQ Bacon Smash Burgers: Incorporate BBQ seasoning into the spice blend, top with crispy bacon strips and caramelized onions, drizzle with smoky BBQ sauce.
• Mushroom Swiss Smash Burgers: Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter before adding to the burger, melt Swiss cheese on top, garnish with fresh thyme leaves.

Easy Smash Burgers: Juicy, Flavorful, and Quick

• Speedy Satisfaction: These smash burgers deliver restaurant-quality taste in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick weekend lunches.
• Texture Triumph: The technique of smashing creates an ultra-crispy, caramelized exterior with a juicy interior, giving each bite incredible depth and crunch.
• Flavor Powerhouse: The custom seasoning blend of salt, garlic powder, and spices transforms simple ground beef into a mouthwatering masterpiece that packs serious flavor without complicated ingredients.

What You’ll Need for Easy Smash Burgers

• Ground Beef: Extra-fatty beef with high fat content for juicy, crispy burgers that hold together well.

• Kosher Salt, Seasoned Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic burger seasoning mix for deep, savory flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps create crispy burger crust and prevents sticking in cast-iron skillet.

• Cheese: Melty topping that adds rich, creamy texture to burger.

• Hamburger Buns: Soft, toasted base for holding burger and additional toppings.

Smash Burgers Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling smash burgers deliver irresistible American diner nostalgia with crispy beef edges and juicy interiors. Melted cheese, classic toppings, and a perfectly smashed patty promise a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80% fat / 20% lean)

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking and Assembly:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) canola oil
• 4 split hamburger buns, toasted
• 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

Topping Options:

• Pickle slices
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Tomato slices
• Lettuce

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Instructions

1. Blend the seasoning blend by combining kosher salt, seasoned salt, freshly ground black pepper, and granulated garlic powder in a small mixing bowl.
2. Gently portion the ground beef into 4 loosely formed spherical portions, ensuring minimal handling to maintain tenderness.
3. Evenly sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture across each beef portion, massaging the spices delicately into the meat.
4. Position a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, allowing it to warm thoroughly for approximately 3 minutes until surface is extremely hot.
5. Drizzle neutral cooking oil across the skillet’s surface to create a light, even coating that prevents sticking.
6. Carefully place the seasoned beef portions into the hot skillet, immediately pressing each one flat using a sturdy spatula to create thin, crispy-edged patties.
7. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes, developing a deep golden-brown crust and capturing maximum flavor from the caramelization.
8. Swiftly flip the patties, optionally layering cheese slices atop each burger if desired, and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely.
9. Transfer the sizzling burgers immediately onto lightly toasted hamburger buns, garnishing with preferred condiments and fresh toppings.

Notes

• Create seasoning mix ahead of time to streamline burger preparation.
• Use room temperature ground beef for even cooking and better texture.
• Cast-iron skillet ensures crispy, caramelized edges on burger patties.
• Gentle handling prevents overworking meat, keeping burgers tender and juicy.
• Allow burgers to rest briefly after cooking to retain internal moisture.
• Experiment with different cheese types for unique flavor combinations.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 90mg