The Perfect Smash Burger Recipe
About this recipe
If you're craving a burger that's crispy on the edges and juicy in the center, this Perfect Smash Burger recipe is your answer. With a combination of high-quality ground beef, a special sauce, and fluffy potato buns, this burger is all about technique and flavor.
Nick from Nick's Kitchen shows us how to achieve that perfect balance with an 80/20 beef ratio, ensuring each bite is packed with taste. Plus, his unique toasting method for the buns adds a game-changing touch that elevates the whole experience.
Ingredient notes
- 680 g ground beef (80/20) is recommended for flavor and texture.
- 4 slices of American cheese and 4 slices of cheddar cheese for a delicious cheese blend.
- Potato buns are fluffy and soft, perfect for holding the burger together.
- A squeeze of lemon juice can be substituted with pickle juice.
Tips from Nick's Kitchen’s video
- Shape the beef into balls between the size of a golf ball and a mandarin orange to ensure even cooking.
- Throw the beef balls between your hands to remove air bubbles and create a shiny surface before refrigerating.
- Toast the buns in the pan to steam the inside and enhance their fluffiness while cooking the patties.
- Use a cast iron pan for even cooking and a great sear on the patties.
Good to know
- What type of ground beef should I use for the smash burger?
- Use ground beef with an 80/20 ratio, which means 80% lean beef and 20% fat for the best flavor and texture.
- How do I make the special sauce?
- Combine minced pickles, mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, ketchup, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- What kind of cheese is recommended for the smash burger?
- Use American cheese for melting and cheddar cheese for added sharpness.
- How long does it take to prepare and cook the smash burgers?
- The total time for preparing and cooking the smash burgers is about 30 minutes.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Nick's Kitchen: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Prepare the ground beef by shaping it into balls the size of a golf ball to mandarin orange.
- 2
Throw the beef balls between your hands to remove air bubbles and make them shiny.
- 3
Place the beef balls on a sheet and refrigerate while preparing the sauce.
- 4
Chop pickles into thin slices for the burgers and mince some for the special sauce.
- 5
In a bowl, combine minced pickles, mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, ketchup, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to make the special sauce.
- 6
Preheat a cast iron pan for cooking the patties.
- 7
Toast the potato buns in the pan to steam the inside and top side.
- 8
Prepare three slices of cheese for a triple stack burger.
- 9
Oil the bottom of the burger smasher and place the first beef patty down, smashing it flat.
- 10
Repeat for the other two patties, ensuring to push around the edges while smashing.
- 11
Season the patties with salt and pepper before flipping them.
- 12
Flip the patties and add cheese immediately after flipping to melt.
- 13
Assemble the burger by stacking the patties with cheese on the toasted buns, adding pickles and special sauce, mustard, and ketchup.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The quantity of ground beef is inferred based on typical serving sizes for burgers.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from Nick's Kitchen’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
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