Go Back

Best Smashed Cheeseburger

Classic smash cheeseburgers with crispy edges, melty American cheese, and toasted potato buns, ready fast and better than takeout.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 14
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Smashburgers
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20
  • fine sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 4 potato buns
  • 1 tablespoon butter for toasting
  • thin sliced onion optional
  • dill pickle chips
  • shredded lettuce and tomato optional
  • Simple Burger Sauce Optional
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pickles or relish
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch of black pepper

Method
 

  1. Make the sauce (optional). Stir all sauce ingredients together and chill while you cook.
  2. Prep the beef. Divide beef into 4 loose balls, about 4 ounces each. Do not pack them tight.
  3. Toast the buns. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast until golden. Set aside.
  4. Heat the pan. Place a cast iron skillet or heavy pan over high heat until very hot. A drop of water should sizzle and vanish quickly.
  5. Smash. Add a beef ball to the hot pan. Immediately smash firmly with a sturdy spatula until very thin. Season with salt and pepper. If using onions, add them on top right after smashing and press lightly so they stick.
  6. Cook and flip. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until edges are deeply browned. Scrape under the patty and flip. Add a slice of cheese. Cook 45 to 60 seconds more. Cover the pan for 20 to 30 seconds if you want extra melt.
  7. Build burgers. Add sauce to buns, then pickles, burger, and any extras like lettuce and tomato. Serve immediately.

Notes

If your spatula sticks, put a small square of parchment between the beef and spatula when smashing.
Smashburgers are best eaten right away while the edges are crisp.