Name: The Easiest Homemade Smashed Burgers Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound 85/15 ground chuck; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 4 hamburger buns; 4 teaspoons mayonnaise; 4 teaspoons ketchup; 4 teaspoons mustard; 4 slices tomato; 4 slices cheddar cheese; 1/4 cup pickle slices; 1/4 white onion sliced

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The classic hamburger is a must for every home cook to learn how to make, but this homemade smashed burgers recipe takes it up another notch. Not just any burger, but a thin and fast-cooked beef patty that is all about the beef flavor. You'll love how easy these are to make and how much better they taste!

single cheeseburger on sesame seed bun with white sauce under burger and topped with onion tomato and pickle

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Smash Burgers Recipe
How Do You Make Smash Burgers Stay Together?
What is the Best Meat for Smash Burgers?
What Do You Serve with Smashed Burgers?
Can I Serve Hamburgers Medium Rare?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Homemade Smashed Burgers
Do I Have to Use a Cast Iron Pan to Cook Burgers?
What Goes on a Smash Burger?
More Delicious Recipes
📖 Recipe

Smash Burgers Recipe

Whether you call it a smash burger or smashed burger doesn't matter. The principle behind this is to make the patty very thin to toss onto a griddle or in a skillet and fry quickly.

Unlike the and thicker hamburger steak recipe, this is a fast and easy weeknight meal that pairs great with popular sides and is sure to leave a smile on everyone's face at the dinner table.

How Do You Make Smash Burgers Stay Together?

One issue I have seen with this recipe is that when made ahead of time, because they are so thin, they tend to fall apart. Instead of making a thicker burger, time serving so you can make them fast and put them directly onto the bun before serving.

If for some reason you have to make the burgers in advance and leave on a tray or platter to serve, it is recommended by many to place a sheet of wax paper between each patty to keep them together and not crumbling apart.

What is the Best Meat for Smash Burgers?

Ground beef is the standard option for making any hamburger. Smashed burgers use a nice quality ground beef for the best flavor. Ground chuck is readily available and has a good marbling of fat and rich flavor so you don't need a lot of seasoning.

While most reach for the 80/20 meat, I like to use 85/15 for less fat. It still has plenty of fat for keeping the burger moist, but isn't overly greasy and maintains that beefy flavor you want in a quality burger.

Three hamburgers with sesame buns sitting on cutting board that's on striped napkin

What Do You Serve with Smashed Burgers?

Most often, hamburgers are served with a side of potato chips or French fries. You can serve them with anything though, and that includes things like a good mustard potato salad or a side of creamy corn salad.

I love these baked accordion waffle fries and the simple cottage fries to go alongside these in place of traditional fried potatoes. But, my neighbors to the North would tell me Canadian poutine is the only thing to serve with your smash burger.

Can I Serve Hamburgers Medium Rare?

Depending upon the culinary circle you are in, there is great controversy about this. My husband would say yes to a medium-rare hamburger, while I would say absolutely not.

The thing is, while a medium or medium-rare burger may have a bit more flavor and be juicier, in my opinion, it is not worth the risk of e coli. So, I only recommend cooking ground meat in any form to a minimum of 160°F internally. I use an instant-read thermometer to verify the internal temperature when cooking.

The directions below are for a well-done hamburger. If you should prefer a medium-rare burger, you will cook the meat for 1 minute on one side and 30 to 34 seconds on the other side.

cheeseburger with sesame seed bun tomato and pickle on cutting board

Ingredients

Ground beef
Salt
Black pepper
Vegetable oil
Hamburger buns

Optional: ½ teaspoon total addition of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or a generic hamburger seasoning blend

raw hamburger in glass bowl next to white ramkins of seasonings on gray table

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Homemade Smashed Burgers

Divide the ground beef into 4 portions. Lightly oil your hands and form into thin patties around 2 inches thick.

Season both sides of the burger patties generously with salt and black pepper. Add additional seasonings at this time if desired.

In a large cast-iron pan, heat vegetable oil over high heat.

Place the burger patty into the hot skillet and smash down until 1" or less thick.

Metal spatula smashing burger in cast iron skillet

Cook for 2 minutes per side until 160°F internally.

Add cheese for the last 30-seconds to melt if desired.

Serve with favorite hamburger toppings and condiments on a toasted bun.

hamburger on wood board with top off showing onions and cheese

Do I Have to Use a Cast Iron Pan to Cook Burgers?

No, you do not have to use cast iron, however, it is an excellent conductor of heat and tends to cook most evenly. Another benefit to the cast iron pan is how nicely it adds the crisp on the outside of the burgers while keeping them juicy inside.

You can use any skillet or griddle for making these burgers. I even recommend looking into a flat top griddle for outdoors if you plan to make a lot of burgers like this on a regular basis.

What Goes on a Smash Burger?

A classic burger has a bun, mustard, ketchup, and pickle. You may also see them with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Below are some other options you can add to your burger to make it unique.

Dill relish, jalapeno slices, or pickled onions.
Sliced raw onions, grilled onions, or grilled mushrooms.
Avocado slices.
Crispy bacon.
Mayonnaise, sriracha mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or thousand island dressing.
American cheese, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, or swiss cheese.
Iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, Bibb lettuce, green leaf lettuce, or arugala.

Single hamburger in bun with slice of onion on side sitting on wooden cutting board

More Delicious Recipes

If you like easy sandwich ideas for your family meals, then there are a few more below to add to your menu. These make a great main course alongside your favorite easy side dishes! Make sure to bookmark, print, or pin these recipes for future use!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4