Smash Burger Sloppy Joes (Printable)
Smash burger meets Sloppy Joe in a cheesy, saucy ground beef sandwich the whole family will love.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat & Base
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend preferred
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, finely chopped
→ Sauce & Seasonings
06 - 1/2 cup ketchup
07 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
12 - Salt to taste
→ For Serving
13 - 4 hamburger buns
14 - 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
15 - Sliced tomato (optional)
16 - Shredded lettuce (optional)
17 - Butter for toasting buns
# Steps:
01 - Set a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and allow it to fully melt across the cooking surface.
02 - Add the ground beef to the skillet, spreading it into an even layer. Press down firmly with a spatula to achieve the signature smash burger crust. Let it cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until a deep brown sear forms, then break the meat apart into crumbles.
03 - Add the finely diced onion to the beef and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the chopped pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened and saucy.
05 - While the meat simmers, butter the cut sides of each hamburger bun. Toast them on a separate pan or griddle over medium heat until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Lay a slice of cheese over the hot beef mixture in the skillet. Allow it to melt gently for about 1 minute, then remove the skillet from heat.
07 - Spoon the cheesy beef mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Layer with sliced tomato and shredded lettuce if desired. Cap with the top bun and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It gives you all the big, bold smash burger flavor without needing a grill or a patio.
- The sauce comes together from pantry staples you probably already have sitting next to your stove.
- Kids devour it without realizing they are eating something homemade from scratch.
02 -
- Do not stir the beef right away when it hits the pan because that crust is where all the burger flavor lives.
- The sauce will look thin at first but thickens quickly once it starts bubbling, so trust the process and resist adding extra ketchup.
03 -
- Press the beef as thin as you can in the first step because more surface area means more caramelization and more flavor.
- A splash of pickle juice added to the sauce right at the end is the move that makes people ask what your secret is.