.How to Make the Perfect Smashburger at Home
Craving a restaurant-quality Smashburger from the comfort of your own kitchen? With the right technique, it’s surprisingly simple to recreate. Here’s how you can achieve those crispy, lacy edges and juicy, flavorful bites right at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
2 balls of ground beef (2 ¼ ounces each)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Brisket and chuck blend with plenty of fat
American cheese slices
Burger buns
Butter or clarified butter for toasting
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Slivered onions
Kosher dill pickles
Mayo (homemade or store-bought)
For homemade mayo:
Egg yolks, lemon juice, garlic, canola oil, olive oil, and salt
Step-by-Step Smashburger Guide
1. Toast the Buns First
Start by toasting your burger buns. This should be done first because the burger cooks faster than the buns can toast. Ideally, use clarified butter for quick browning, but regular butter works just fine.
2. Prepare the Beef
Form two balls of ground beef, each weighing about 2 ¼ ounces. Use a coarse grind of brisket and chuck with a good fat ratio. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Smash It Right
Heat a cast-iron skillet, stainless steel pan, or flat-top griddle until it’s sizzling hot. Place the beef balls on the hot surface with the seasoned side facing down.
Cover each ball with parchment paper and smash them flat using a sturdy spatula and a weight. Focus on pressing the edges to achieve that signature crispy, lacy texture. The parchment prevents sticking, though a little stickiness is okay—American cheese will save the day!
4. Flip and Finish
Let the patties cook 90% of the way through on the first side. This ensures the best crust. Then, use a razor scraper to lift the patties, keeping that crispy crust intact.
Add a slice of American cheese to each patty while they're still hot.
5. Build Your Burger
Spread mayo on the toasted buns. A simple homemade mayo can be made with egg yolks, lemon juice, garlic, canola oil, olive oil, and salt.
On the bottom bun, layer:
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Slivered onions
Plenty of kosher dill pickles
Finally, place the cheesy patties on top and crown them with the top bun.
Enjoy the Ultimate Smashburger!
And there you have it—the perfect Smashburger, packed with crispy, juicy, cheesy goodness and layers of flavor.
Try this recipe at home and taste the difference!
Would you like more burger recipes like this? Let me know in the comments!
