Hey burger lovers! Want to learn How To Make Perfect Smash Burgers On The Grill? This juicy burger with a perfectly crispy crust will instantly become your new favorite - and it cooks in less than 10 minutes! Top your burger with homemade burger sauce and caramelized onions - and you will never go back to plain old burgers again!
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If you're a fan of burger joints, you've probably heard of the most delicious burger - the flavorful smashed burger - which is the easiest burger to make!
The secret to the deliciousness of a good smash burger is in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients, you can create the best burger ever. And you don't need a special grill or equipment to do it!
It's just like a burger you would buy in a restaurant - but way better! The delicious burger is served on a toasted bun with homemade burger sauce and fried onions - I'm drooling just thinking about it!
When it comes to serving these homemade smashed burgers, the possibilities are endless. You can keep it classic with traditional toppings like lettuce, tomato, and cheese, or get creative with unique toppings like bacon, avocado, and caramelized onions.
Pair your burger with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, Smoked Baked Beans, or Strawberry Spinach Salad, Watermelon Basil Salad, or Old-Fashioned Cucumber Salad With Mayo for a well-rounded meal.
Whether grilling for a crowd or a relaxing family dinner, grilled smashed burgers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Jump to:
❓ What Is A Smash Burger?
A smash burger is a hamburger made by smashing a ball of ground beef onto a hot griddle, flattening it into a thin patty, and allowing it to cook quickly to create a crispy, caramelized crust on the outside while still remaining juicy on the inside.
The beef used for smash burgers is typically higher in fat content to produce a more flavorful, tender patty. The thinness and crispy edges of the smash burger make it a popular choice for burger lovers.
The smash burger gained popularity in the United States through fast-food chains but is now served in many restaurants. It can also be quickly made at home using a grill, griddle, or skillet.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Deliciously flavorful: With its crispy edges and juicy, tender patty, the smash burger has a mouthwatering taste that will satisfy any meat lover.
- Hassle-free clean up: Cooking your burgers outside on a grill means less time spent cleaning up in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.
- Lightning-fast cook time: The thin patty of a smash burger takes just a few minutes to cook on a hot grill, making it the ultimate quick and easy meal.
- Timeless and classic: The smash burger is an iconic American favorite that has stood the test of time, loved by generations for its simplicity and deliciousness.
- Perfect for summer grilling: Grilling outside on a grill is everyone's favorite activity, and what better way to celebrate than with a juicy and delicious smash burger?
- Fun to make: The uniqueness of smashing the beef ball onto the grill is a fun way to cook a burger.
- Great for sharing: Smash burgers can be easily made in large batches, making them a perfect choice for summer barbecues, family gatherings, or any occasion where you want to feed a crowd.
- Great for meal prep: These burgers can be made in large batches- making them great for meal prep or busy weeknights!
🧀 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
- Ground beef, preferably ground chuck (ideally 80/20, which means 80% lean and 20% fat), to ensure a juicy and flavorful patty with crispy edges when cooked. I recommend making each patty out of a quarter pound of ground beef. I used two pounds of ground beef, which makes about eight burgers.
- Seasoning and spices include seasoning salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. These are used to season the beef before cooking and to add more flavor to the burger.
- Hamburger buns. Choose a bun that can hold up to the juicy patty and toppings without falling apart. Brioche or potato buns work well. My easy-to-make Dinner Buns also work well. Gluten-free buns can be used for those with gluten intolerance.
- Cheese slices. Optional, but add great flavor. I used white cheddar cheese, but you could use American cheese, Swiss cheese, or Gouda Cheese - any cheese will work!
- Special sauce: I have included an easy recipe for homemade burger sauce made with mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, and chopped pickles. It is better than any sauce at your local burger joint!
- Fried onions: I fried some yellow onion sliced thin on the grill while the homemade smash burgers were cooking. So good!
- Burger toppings: The possibilities are endless! Choose toppings such as lettuce, tomato, bacon, pickles, and condiments to add flavor.
🍔 How To Make Perfect Smash Burgers On The Grill
To get the perfect smash burger, follow these easy step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: First, preheat your grill to 450 degrees F. Depending on your grill, this could take 5-15 minutes. A flat top grill or a cast iron skillet is ideal for creating a hot griddle surface to get that coveted Maillard reaction (the crispy brown exterior we all love).
Heat your cooking surface over medium-high heat, and ensure it's hot before cooking. You can use a Blackstone griddle, a Traeger Flatrock grill, or a good old cast iron griddle - make sure you give it time to heat up!
I just used a Camp Chef griddle and placed it on my Traeger Ironwood 885 - and it worked perfectly!
You can even use a regular electric griddle or a cast iron pan on the stove to make these yummy burgers!
Step 2: While the grill is preheating, mix together ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon pickle juice, and ¼ cup chopped pickles in a small bowl to make the special sauce. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step 3: Mix 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl.
Add the ground beef to a large bowl and mix in the spice mixture until well combined.
Divide the burger into eight equal portions, each about a quarter pound or 4 ounces. You can eyeball it or use a kitchen scale if you want to be precise.
Tip: Wash your hands well with soap and water before and after touching the raw meat - as well as all surfaces the meat will touch or has touched. Make sure to use different utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked meat to avoid cross-contamination.
Cut a piece of parchment paper into a square slightly larger than your beef balls.
Step 4: Now it's time to smash the burger! Place the ball of ground beef on the hot surface and place a piece of parchment paper on top. Use a sturdy spatula, burger press, or the bottom of a cast iron skillet to flatten it into a thin patty about ½ inch thick.
Make sure to press down hard to create thin patties so you get crispy edges. You may have small holes in the patty, and that's okay - I promise! Cook the patty for 3-5 minutes, until the edges start to brown and the bottom is golden brown and nicely seared.
Repeat with the rest of the beef balls. While the burgers are cooking, add some sliced onions to the grill to cook and caramelize. Close the lid of the grill to trap the heat and cook the burgers more evenly.
When the burgers are almost done cooking, flip the patty over, and add a slice of cheese to the burger to melt. Close the lid and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked.
Remove the patty from the hot surface and let it rest for a few minutes to let the flavorful juices settle.
Tip: Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Step 5: Cut a bun in half and butter it. Place the bun buttered side on the hot grill for about 30 seconds until lightly browned. Keep an eye on it; it cooks quickly!
Step 6: Now it's time to assemble the perfect smash burger! Assemble the burgers by spreading the burger sauce on the bottom bun, then adding the patty with melted cheese, and caramelized onions (if using).
Top your burger patty with any other favorite toppings you like. Finally, add the top bun, and voila! You've just created the most delicious smash burger!
Enjoy these burgers with your favorite sides!
💭 Expert Tips
- Use high heat: To achieve the perfect crispy crust on your smash burger, cook it on a hot surface. Preheat your grill to at least 400°F-450°F or high heat for best results.
- Have everything ready: Prepare your condiments, toppings, sauce, and buns beforehand, as the burger cooks quickly.
- Divide the beef into equal portions: Divide the beef into equal portions using a kitchen scale to ensure that each burger patty is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
- Do not overwork the meat: Overworking the meat can make it tough, so gently shape the meat into balls without working them too much.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands well with soap and water before and after touching the raw meat - as well as all surfaces the meat will touch or has touched. Use different utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked meat to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use a heavy, flat spatula or a cast iron skillet: To smash the burger, use a burger press or a heavy, flat spatula or a cast iron skillet.
- Use cooking oil: If you're using a cast-iron skillet or griddle, make sure to use vegetable cooking spray to prevent the burger from sticking to the pan.
- Press down firmly: Press down hard on the burger ball, using a cast-iron pan or burger press to create a thin patty to get the crispy edges.
- Flip only once: Resist the urge to flip the burger multiple times; allow it to cook undisturbed for around three to five minutes before flipping.
- Melt the cheese: Place a slice over the burger when you flip them to allow it to melt and become gooey.
- Use a meat thermometer: Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Be careful: To prevent grease fires when cooking burgers, close the lid and monitor the heat. If a fire starts and does not extinguish when you close the lid, turn off the grill and cover the flames with baking soda. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
🥗 Side Dishes
These burgers go with many dishes, including Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon, Smoked Corn on the Cob, Smoked Baked Potatoes, and Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
They also go great with something simple like Easy Coleslaw, Strawberry Spinach Salad With Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, or Easy Watermelon Basil Salad with Feta and Honey Glaze.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use a regular frying pan, griddle, or even an indoor grill to make these smash burgers. Just ensure that you use a pan or griddle that gets really hot (ideally over medium-high heat) and follow the same instructions.
Be sure to use a higher fat content ground beef (such as 80/20) to ensure a juicy, flavorful patty. Also, do not overwork the meat and avoid flipping it more than once during cooking.
Cook the burgers for around 3-5 minutes on each side, or until desired doneness is achieved.
Place leftover smashed burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to freeze the burgers, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. The burgers will keep in the freezer for 2-3 months. To reheat the burgers, you can either microwave them on high for 20-30 seconds or warm them up on a hot grill or in a frying pan for a few minutes until heated through.
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📋 Recipe
How To Make Perfect Smash Burgers On The Grill
Equipment
- Any grill such as a Traeger grill, Blackstone grill, or pellet grill. Even an electric griddle or cast iron skillet on the stove will work
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices of cheese American cheese or cheddar cheese
- 1 large onion sliced, optional
- 8 hamburger buns
For the Homemade Burger Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped pickles
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or griddle to 450°F, or use a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat.
- Make the special sauce by mixing together ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon pickle juice, and ¼ cup chopped pickles in a small bowl. Set aside in the fridge.
- Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon seasoning salt, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to the ground beef in a large bowl. Mix until combined.
- Divide the ground beef into eight equal portions, each about a quarter pound or 4 ounces.
- Once the grill is preheated, place the balls of meat directly on the grill. Use a spatula, burger press, or the bottom of a cast iron skillet to smash each patty down until it is about ½ inch thick.
- Close the lid and let the patties cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the edges start to brown and the bottom is golden brown and nicely seared.
- While the burgers are cooking, you can saute your onions on the grill or in a skillet on your stove.
- Flip the patty over and add a slice of cheese to melt. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked.
- Butter a bun and place it on the hot grill or griddle for about 30 seconds until lightly browned.
- Assemble the burger by spreading the special sauce on the bottom bun, then adding the patty with melted cheese and caramelized onions (optional). Add any other favorite toppings, and top with the other half of the bun.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high heat: To achieve the perfect crispy crust on your smash burger, cook it on a hot surface. Preheat your grill to at least 400°F-450°F or high heat for best results.
- Have everything ready: Prepare your condiments, toppings, sauce, and buns beforehand, as the burger cooks quickly.
- Divide the beef into equal portions: Divide the beef into equal portions using a kitchen scale to ensure that each burger patty is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
- Do not overwork the meat: Overworking the meat can make it tough, so gently shape the meat into balls without working them too much.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands well with soap and water before and after touching the raw meat - as well as all surfaces the meat will touch or has touched. Use different utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked meat to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use a heavy, flat spatula or a cast iron skillet: To smash the burger, use a burger press or a heavy, flat spatula or a cast iron skillet.
- Use cooking oil: If you're using a cast-iron skillet or griddle, make sure to use vegetable cooking spray to prevent the burger from sticking to the pan.
- Press down firmly: Press down hard on the burger ball, using a cast-iron pan or burger press to create a thin patty to get the crispy edges.
- Flip only once: Resist the urge to flip the burger multiple times; allow it to cook undisturbed for around three to five minutes before flipping.
- Melt the cheese: Place a slice over the burger when you flip them to allow it to melt and become gooey.
- Use a meat thermometer: Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Be careful: To prevent grease fires when cooking burgers, close the lid and monitor the heat. If a fire starts and does not extinguish when you close the lid, turn off the grill and cover the flames with baking soda. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
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