Juicy Smash Burger (Printable)

Classic American-style smashed patties with golden crispy edges, topped with melty cheese and fresh condiments on toasted buns.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Burgers

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→ For Assembly

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# Steps:

01 - Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls, being careful not to overwork the meat.
02 - Preheat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed griddle over high heat until very hot.
03 - Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them on the skillet until golden brown. Set aside.
04 - Place beef balls onto the hot skillet. Using a sturdy spatula, press down firmly to flatten each ball into a thin patty about ½ inch thick.
05 - Season each patty with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2–2½ minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
06 - Flip the patties, immediately top each with a slice of cheese, and cook for another 1–1½ minutes until cheese is melted and patty is cooked through.
07 - In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and mustard. Spread on both sides of each toasted bun.
08 - Assemble each burger in order: bottom bun, lettuce, tomato, smash burger patty with cheese, onion, pickles, top bun.
09 - Serve immediately while hot and juicy for the best experience.

# Expert Tips:

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  • The crispy lacey edges are impossible to achieve any other way
  • These cook in under 5 minutes total
  • That 80/20 beef blend creates unmatched juiciness
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  • Do not use nonstick pans for this technique. You need the raw heat and surface that cast iron provides.
  • The smashing motion must happen immediately after the beef hits the pan. Hesitation equals uneven cooking.
  • Your smoke detector might go off. Open a window before you start cooking.
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  • Press the spatula at a slight angle while smashing to create an ultra thin edge
  • Season after smashing not before so the salt sticks to the meat surface

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