A big juicy smash burger is calling your name with its jagged edges and browned crust piled high on a toasted bun! You can make these crazed burgers on a griddle or in a cast iron pan in around 20 minutes.
Brush a thin layer of oil on flat top grill. Preheat grill. If using a flat top cast iron pan on the stove, grease the pan with a thin layer of cooking oil or olive oil and preheat over medium-high heat.
Using gloved hands, flatten hamburger meat on a cutting board. Season to taste with garlic salt and pepper.
Divide meat into 4 equal sections. Roll each section into a ball.
Place each ball on the flat top.
Spray the back of a spatula with non-stick cooking spray. Press the back of the spatula onto the meat ball to flatten into a patty. Repeat for each ball. Allow to cook for 5 minutes. If desired, this is a great time to add any additional seasonings, or simply sprinkle with more garlic salt and pepper.
Flip burgers over and flatten again with the back of the spatula. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until desired doneness.
While burgers finish cooking, toast the buns on a clean area of the flat top.
When burgers are almost done, add a slice of cheese to each patty.
When cheese has melted, lift patty with a spatula and place on toasted bottom bun.
NOTE: if you plan to add condiments, don’t add the top bun or the cheese will stick to it. Add all of your toppings and condiments first!
Notes
Our recipe shows a double burger, however, the nutritional analysis is based off of a single patty burger.
We recommend ground beef with an 80/20 ratio of lean beef to fat content. This isn't the recipe to use lean ground beef for. It's known for its juicy interior and crisp brown burger crust on the exterior, in which the fat content plays a huge role in!
According to the USDA, hamburgers should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present. Use a food thermometer to be sure they have reached 160 °F.
Top your smash burger with heaps of your favorite burger additions such as bacon, lettuce, sliced tomato, jalapenos, pickles, onions, the list goes on and on. Can't forget to mention the condiments like BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, chipotle mayo, or a quick burger sauce made with ketchup and mayo. Smash burgers are fantastic on top of a brioche or pretzel bun.