Skip to content

Dinner - Smash Burgers

Smash Burgers are juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Perfect for cookouts or quick weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers diner-style results at home.

image.png

🍔 Course

Main Course

🌍 Cuisine

American

⏱ Time

  • Prep: 5 minutes
  • Cook: 10 minutes
  • Chill: 20 minutes
  • Total: 35 minutes

🍽 Servings

4 servings

🧄 Ingredients

Ingredient Amount (Imperial) Amount (Metric)
Ground beef (80/20) 1½ pounds 675 g
Burger buns 4 buns ~213 g total
Salt 1 teaspoon, divided ~6 g
Ground black pepper 1 teaspoon, divided ~2 g
Cheddar or American cheese 4 slices ~76 g
Toppings (optional) Tomato, onion, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, mustard As desired

🍳 Instructions

  1. Shape the Patties
    Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and place on a plate.
    Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 6 hours).

  2. Prep the Buns
    Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
    If toasting the buns, brush the cut sides with melted butter and toast for ~1 minute until golden brown.

  3. Cook the Patties
    Increase heat to high. Add 2–4 beef balls at a time to the hot surface, leaving room between each.
    Smash each one flat with a spatula. (Use parchment between the spatula and meat if it sticks.)
    Season the top side with salt and pepper.

  4. Flip & Stack
    Cook ~2 minutes until browned and crisp. Flip and season the second side.
    Cook ~1 minute more.
    Place a cheese slice on half the patties and top each with a second plain patty. Remove from heat.

  5. Assemble & Serve
    Place each double patty on a bun. Add toppings as desired and serve immediately.

📝 Notes

  • Why chill the patties?
    Chilling helps form a better crust and keeps the inside from overcooking — key to juicy smash burgers.

  • No sticking when smashing:
    Use parchment paper to prevent patties from sticking to your spatula, especially if it has slots.

  • Cheese tips:
    American cheese melts easiest and delivers classic flavor, but sharp cheddar adds more bite.

  • Make it extra crispy:
    Use a wide, heavy spatula and really press the beef down flat for maximum crust.

🔬 Nutrition (per serving)

  • Calories: 756 kcal
  • Carbs: 31 g
  • Protein: 39 g
  • Fat: 52 g
  • Saturated: 18 g
  • Monounsaturated: 19 g
  • Polyunsaturated: 8 g
  • Trans: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 144 mg
  • Sodium: 1430 mg
  • Potassium: 714 mg
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Vitamin A: 596 IU
  • Vitamin C: 7 mg
  • Calcium: 238 mg
  • Iron: 5 mg

Source: Preppy Kitchen – Smash Burgers