This Smash Burger recipe features juicy, crispy-edged beef patties cooked on a grill or skillet, topped with melted American cheese, and served on soft brioche buns with fresh toppings and an easy-to-make secret sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful burger night at home.
Total Time:18 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Beef Patties
1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 slices American cheese
Buns and Toppings
4 brioche buns
lettuce leaves
tomato slices
pickles
onions
Secret Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
Preheat Cooking Surface: Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat to ensure a perfect sear and crispy edges on the patties.
Prepare Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
Form and Season Patties: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls. Season each ball generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
Smash and Cook Patties: Place each ball onto the hot grill or skillet. Using a spatula or burger press, smash the balls down firmly to form thin patties. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until crispy edges form.
Flip and Add Cheese: Carefully flip each patty and immediately place a slice of American cheese on top. Cook for an additional 1 minute, or until the cheese melts.
Assemble Burgers: Spread the secret sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the brioche buns. Layer the patties with cheese on the bottom bun, then add desired toppings like lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onions. Finish with the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for optimal juiciness and flavor.
For extra crispy edges, avoid moving the patties once smashed on the grill or skillet during the initial cooking phase.
Feel free to customize toppings to your preference; caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms make great additions.
If you don't have brioche buns, soft potato buns or classic sesame buns are good alternatives.
The secret sauce can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.
