Smash Burger
Smash Burgers are a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious, homemade burger in just 20 minutes. These burgers are known for their crispy edges, juicy center, and melty cheese, making them a crowd favorite.
Enjoy a mouthwatering burger with seasoned ground beef, melted American cheese, toasted buns, and fresh toppings.
Smash Burger Recipe Highlights
- Ready in 20 minutes
- Crispy edges and juicy center
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- Perfect for a quick dinner
- Uses simple, everyday ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
BEEF – An 80/20 blend is recommended for these burgers because it provides a perfect balance of flavor and juiciness, with enough fat to keep the patties moist. If you prefer, you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
SEASONING – A blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce adds depth and richness to the patties. The salt and black pepper enhance the natural flavor of the beef, while garlic powder and onion powder bring savory and sweet notes. Smoked paprika adds a hint of smokiness, and Worcestershire sauce offers umami and a slight tang.
AMERICAN CHEESE – Melts perfectly over the patties, creating a creamy and gooey texture that complements the crispy edges of the burgers. If you don’y like American cheese, you can also experiment with other cheeses such as Pepper Jack.
BUNS – Toasting the buns to a light golden brown adds a nice crunch and contrast to the juicy patties. I recommend using classic white hamburger buns, but brioche buns add a sweeter flavor, and whole wheat buns are a healthier choice.
BURGER TOPPINGS – Customize your burgers with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and any other toppings you prefer. These add freshness and crunch to each bite.
CONDIMENTS – Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or any other sauces you like can enhance the flavor of the burgers and make them more enjoyable.
How To Make Smash Burgers
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Preheat a large skillet or grill over medium-high heat. Mix ground beef with seasonings and form into 8 balls.
- Smash each ball on the skillet or grill to ⅓-inch thickness. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, adding a slice of cheese in the last minute.
- Toast the buns on the grill or skillet until lightly golden.
- Assemble burgers with buns, patties, and your favorite toppings and condiments. Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
CRISPY FRIES – Pair your burgers with classic crispy fries or sweet potato fries for a perfect match.
ONION RINGS – Serve with crunchy onion rings for an extra indulgent side.
COLESLAW – Add a refreshing crunch with a side of traditional Creamy Coleslaw or try a Broccoli Slaw for a twist.
SIDE SALAD – Enjoy with a fresh side salad like popular Oma’s German Cucumber Salad (just 4 ingredients) or our delicious Creamy Cucumber Salad.
VEGGIES – Balance your meal with a side of vegetables like our Air Fryer Zucchini, grilled bell peppers, and asparagus.
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – Refrigerate the leftover burgers for up to 3 days. Disassemble them to prevent soggy buns and toppings.
REHEAT – To reheat, place the patties in a microwave or skillet until heated through. Reassemble the burgers and enjoy.
Recipe Success Tips
MAKE IT SPICY – Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to suit your taste preferences. Add chili powder for a spicy kick or smoked sea salt for extra smokiness. And if you like it really hot, add a bit of hot sauce.
USE A SPATULA – If you have a stiff metal spatula you’ll find that these are the easiest to use. Smash the patties firmly to get those crispy edges. Press down with some muscle to achieve a thin patty with a great crust.
THICKNESS – Pressing down firmly creates a thin patty with crispy edges, so put some muscle into pressing them. Cook in batches if you are tight on space.
DON’T OVERMIX – Mix the beef just until combined to keep the patties tender. Overmixing can make the burgers dense and tough.
PREHEAT PROPERLY – Make sure your skillet or grill is fully heated before cooking the patties. This ensures a great sear and helps lock in the juices.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Cook A Smash Burger On The Stove Top?
Yes, you can! If using a skillet just make sure to drizzle it with olive or avocado oil to prevent the burgers from sticking.
What Are The Best Buns for a Smash Burger?
Opt for sturdy burger buns that can withstand the juicy patties and toppings without becoming soggy. Brioche buns, pretzel buns, or potato buns are all great choices. I used a brioche bun for this recipe.
What Other Toppings Could I Add To This Burger?
Get creative with your burger toppings! Classic options include lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and bacon, but you can also experiment with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, yellow mustard, or a fried egg.
My Oven Has a Griddle Can I Use That Instead of a Grill or Skillet?
Absolutely, if you oven is like mine and has a griddle insert, this is probably the best choice for indoor ‘grilling’. Just make sure that the you work with a hot griddle before you cook the balls of meat.
Smash Burger
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend recommended
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 Brioche buns sliced in half, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.*
- Combine and mix the ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl.
- Section the meat mixture into 8 equal sections and then shape it into balls of meat.
- Place the balls of meat onto the preheated grill.*
- Use a flat spatula to firmly smash each ball down to about ⅓-inch thick. Cook in batches if you are short on space.
- Cook the smashed patties for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of American cheese on each patty and allow it to melt.
- While the patties are cooking, place the burger buns on the grill or skillet, cut side down, and toast until lightly golden brown and crisp.
- Assemble the burgers by adding lettuce and tomato to the bottom bun and then adding 2 patties per burger. Continue to layer toppings and condiments to your preference. Close the burgers with the top halves of the buns and serve immediately.
Notes
STOVE TOP INSTRUCTIONS
- If you are using a the stovetop to cook the burgers preheat a large skillet until hot.
- Cook the over medium-high heat.
- Drizzle a bit (about 1 tablespoon) of olive oil or avocado oil to make sure the burgers aren’t sticking to the skillet.
- Use a large heavy skillet and make sure to avoid over-crowding the pan. You will have to work in batches.
EXTRAS
BURGER TOPPINGS – lettuce, tomatoes, pickles etcCONIDMENTS – ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc Nutrition Calculations do not include toppings and/or additional condiments.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.