The Ultimate Smash Burger Recipe

Step 1

Get everything ready before you start cooking. Prepare your special sauce and keep your seasonings close by. The key to making juicy smash burgers is speed, so you don’t want to be fumbling around once the burgers hit the hot surface.  With your hands, gently mix the beef with the Worcestershire, fish sauce, onion power, smoked paprika, and melted butter. Divide your pound of ground beef into six loose balls. Do not pack them tightly! Keeping them loose helps create that ultra juicy burger texture.

Step 2

For the best results, set your cast iron griddle or flat top grill to high heat. You want it scorching hot—this is what gives your smash burger patties that signature crispy edge. If you’re using a skillet, let it heat up until it’s almost smoking.

Step 3

Place a ball of beef onto the hot skillet, sprinkle it with salt and ground black pepper, cover it with a piece of parchment paper, and press it down firmly using a burger press or bacon press. The goal is to make thin patties that have browned bits around the edges of the smashed burger. Hold the press for 10 seconds to ensure good contact with the hot griddle.

Step 4

Once smashed, resist the urge to move the patty around. Let it cook for 1 - 2 minutes undisturbed. This allows the Maillard reaction to do its thing, creating deep, beefy flavor. When the edges start to look crispy and caramelized, use a spatula to scrape underneath and flip the cooked burger.

Step 5

The second the patty is flipped, slap on a slice of cheese and cook for 2 more minutes. American cheese is the classic choice because it melts beautifully and has a creamy flavor. This is not the time for fancy cheese.

Step 6

Once your smash burger patties finish cooking, set them aside and place brioche buns or potato buns on the leftover cooking fat on the hot griddle for about 30 seconds. A toasted bun makes all the difference—it helps soak up the juices and adds a slight crunch.

Step 7

Stack your crispy burgers on the toasted buns, then pile on your favorite toppings. A smear of special sauce, some crisp lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion take this burger to the next level. Serve with a side of French fries, and you’ve got a meal that rivals any restaurant burger.