The technique behind the smash burger transforms your ground beef l’épicier into decadent, crispy, and juicy burgers. Unlike thick patties, this method involves pounding the meat directly onto a very hot surface to create a golden crust that seals in all the juices. The result? Burgers that explode with flavor and cook in less than a minute per side. Discover how to master this technique to cook perfect smash burgers, whether on the BBQ or in a pan.

The secrets of a successful smash burger

Before we dive into the recipes, here are our tips for smash burgers that impress every time.

The type of ground beef
First of all, it is recommended to use your lean ground beef l’épicier and not the extra lean one, because the fat it contains is necessary to obtain juicy burgers.

Meat preparation
Instead of forming the ground beef into patties, form it into balls, 4 per pound of meat. Don't season the meat before forming the balls—the salt and pepper will be added once they're well crushed on the cooking surface.

Cooking tools
Equipment is important for mastering the smash burger technique. Use a cast iron or stainless steel skillet or griddle. Avoid nonstick pans at all costs, as they aren't designed for high-heat cooking. Utensil-wise, a wide, stiff metal spatula will be your best friend—you'll need it to effectively crush the beef and flip the burger and its crust. There are also specialized smash burger presses, which are worth considering if you develop a deep love for them!

Cooking and toppings
Le timing is crucial, so make sure you have all the ingredients and condiments ready to use before cooking, as smash burgers cook very quickly. Since the patty is thin, condiments should be rather minimalist in order to properly enjoy this type of burger: yellow mustard and/or a little mayonnaise, a few thin slices of raw onion and pickles, and voilà!

The heat must be intense!
Cooking will be very quick, and to get a nice crispy crust, your cooking surface must be very hot!

Cooking on a BBQ or griddle plate:

  • Place a cast iron plate on your BBQ grill (or use your griddle!)
  • Lightly oil the surface using a paper towel
  • Preheat the BBQ or griddle to medium temperature for 15 minutes

Cooking in a pan:

  • Lightly oil your cast iron or stainless steel pan using a paper towel
  • Preheat it over medium heat for about 5 minutes
  • When cooking the meatballs, increase the heat to maximum
  • Make sure not to overcrowd your pan so you have enough space to squish the burgers. Typically, you can cook two burgers in a large pan, or cook them individually in smaller pans.
A person presses a ground beef patty on a griddle to cook smash burgers

Classic Cheese Smash Burger Recipe

Ingredients for 4 burgers or 2 double burgers

  • 454 g of lean ground beef l’épicier, divided into 4 balls of approximately 115 g
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 slices of orange cheese
  • 4 soft burger buns, buttered and lightly toasted
  • Toppings of your choice: sliced onions, pickles, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, etc.

Place the dumpling on the hot surface and immediately flatten it with your spatula, using a weight to add pressure if necessary. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook until a dark brown crust develops, about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.

To flip the burger, be sure to scrape under the crust so it separates from the cooking surface—that's where all the flavor is hidden! Add the cheese and cook for 30 more seconds, just long enough to melt the cheese and finish cooking. You can cover the pan with its lid, or use a BBQ cover to speed up the process.

Immediately assemble your burgers on the toasted bun with your favorite toppings!

Roasted Onion Smash Burger

This version incorporates a generous amount of very thinly sliced onions directly onto the patty during cooking. The result is an even more flavorful burger with the delicious taste of onions fried in beef fat.

Ingredients for 4 burgers

  • 454 g of lean ground beef l’épicier, divided into 4 balls of approximately 115 g
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 4 slices of orange cheese
  • 4 soft burger buns
  • 2 medium onions, very thinly sliced
  • Yellow mustard, pickles and other condiments, to taste

Prepare your BBQ, griddle or pan as recommended above

Add the meatballs and flatten them completely with the back of your spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper, then quickly spread the onions evenly over the cooking patties and press them into the meat. Cook without further pressure until the burgers are golden brown, about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds.

Carefully flip with a stiff spatula, making sure to scrape under the crust so it loosens from the cooking surface. Add the cheese and place the top bun on top. Place the bottom bun upside down on top of the top bun to soak up the onion vapors. Cook until the onions begin to soften, about 1 minute.

When the buns are nice and soft, transfer the bottom buns to plates. Add your condiments, then lift the onions, burger, and top bun together to transfer them to the bottom bun.

Thinly sliced onions and balls of ground beef to illustrate the technique for cooking smash burgers

Smash burgers transform a simple BBQ into a memorable feast. This simple technique brings out the true flavor of beef. l’épicier while creating those textural contrasts that make every bite irresistible. Whether you opt for the classic version, the double cheeseburger, or the onion variation, these are recipes that will have your guests talking.

Want to explore more ways to reinvent your burgers? Check out our other burger articles to discover even more tasty techniques that will transform your grilling!

 

sources:
https://www.seriouseats.com/oklahoma-onion-burger-recipe