Smashed  Burger

The name just sounds fun! Tell your kids you’re serving smashed burgers for dinner and you’ll get a round of "Hooray's!" Kids love anything that sounds like they get to take action with their food. So, what is a smashed burger? It means “smashing” your ground beef into patties right as it hits the heat, this makes for an exceptional juicy burger with a crispy edge. Finish the burger by piling on the fixings so you need to “smash” it down to be able to bite into it. Burgers are best cooked on a cast iron skillet or griddle placed over the grill grates.

Ingredients

80% fresh ground beef chuck
Salt and pepper
Favored cheese
Hamburger buns
Condiments and fixings, see suggestions below

Instructions

Divide beef into equal portions, about a quarter pound each, loosely pressed together, don’t form into perfect balls or a patty, the irregular shape is part of the fun and helps gives it the telltale crisp edge. Season the top with salt and pepper. Garlic powder, onion powder, smokey paprika are other great burger seasonings.

Preheat a cast iron griddle or skillet on the grill until hot. Place hamburger portions seasoned side down on the hot griddle and smash down with your spatula until desired thickness. Once you’ve flattened it, don’t continue to “smash” it, you’ll press out all those flavorful juices. Season as you did the first side. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until nicely browned, flip burger and continue cooking until desired doneness. Toast buns on grill if desired.

Add a slice of your favorite cheese in the last minute of cooking. Remove from grill placing on hamburger bun. Pile on your favorite fixings, lightly “smash” together, enjoy! 

Ideas for building a Smashed Burger

Traditional burgers

American cheese, ketchup, mustard, burger and fry sauce. Pile on the pickles, onions, tomato, and lettuce. Add a few potato chips to the burger, kids will enjoy “smashing” their burger that has a bit of crunch!

Blue cheese burgers

Top burger with blue cheese. Serve with crisp cooked thick sliced bacon, slices of beefsteak tomatoes, red onion, red leaf lettuce, and a garlic aioli or mayo.

Southwest

Add chili powder and cumin to the burger seasonings. Top with sliced pepper jack cheese. Serve with slightly mashed chunky avocado, Pico de Gallo, pepperoncinis or pickled jalapeños, and shredded lettuce. 

Fig and Gruyere

Top burger with gruyere cheese. Serve with fig jam, arugula, sliced red onion, and crisped prosciutto. To crisp prosciutto, make a “nest” with each piece on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook for about 8-10 minutes in 375-degree oven, watch carefully because it can quickly go from just right to overdone ashes.