Name: Smash Burgers
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 4 count hamburger buns; 4 slice American cheese; 1 tbsp butter; 4 leaf lettuce; 1 medium tomato; 0.5 medium onion; 0.5 cup dill pickle chips

← Recipes · Comfort Food · Smash Burgers

520 cal28g protein28g carbs32g fat680mg sodium

Estimated, per serving — stays per-serving no matter how many you cook for.

Everyday 25nothing beyond the everyday cabinet

Smash Burgers

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Comfort Food20 minBeginner friendly

Serves−4+· written for 4 — change it and the ingredients follow

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Ingredients

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ground beef (80/20)1 lb

kosher salt1 tsp

black pepper0.5 tsp

hamburger bunspotato buns are the classic; brioche or sesame work too4 count

American cheeseor cheddar4 slices

butterfor toasting buns1 tbsp

lettuceoptional4 leaves

tomatosliced, optional1 medium

onionthinly sliced, optional0.5 medium

dill pickle chipsoptional0.5 cups

Cook it to

Ground beef160°F / 71°C

USDA minimum internal temperatures. Measure at the thickest part, away from bone.

Allergies at the table? The final check is always yours. Ingredients and "may contain" warnings vary by brand — read every label, every time.

Goes well with

Most sides finish faster than the main — start the quick ones last so everything lands hot.

Need a conversion?Cups to grams, Fahrenheit to fan — convert anything at BetterCalculator.

Steps

1Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each). Do not form them into balls—just make loose piles on a piece of parchment.

2Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until it's smoking hot (about 3 minutes).

3Working one at a time, place a beef portion on the hot skillet, then immediately press it flat with a burger press or the bottom of a measuring cup with real force—hold the pressure for 15–20 seconds. You want a thin, flat patty about the size of your bun. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

4Cook without moving for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is deeply browned and crispy. Flip once.

5Immediately top with a slice of cheese, cook for another 60–90 seconds, then transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining patties.

6Toast the buns in the same skillet with a little butter until golden.

7Build your burgers with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, or just cheese and bread—whatever you like.