Description
Bring restaurant-quality burgers to your kitchen with crispy, lacey edges and melted cheese in every bite. The smash technique creates irresistible caramelized crusts on screaming-hot skillets. Ready in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- Butter for toasting buns
- Optional: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, burger sauce
Instructions
1. Divide ground beef into 4 equal balls, about 4 ounces each. Loosely form into balls without packing too tightly.
2. Heat cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat until smoking hot, about 5 minutes.
3. Place a beef ball on the hot skillet and immediately smash down hard with your spatula or heavy pot until about 1/4 inch thick. Season generously with salt and pepper.
4. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
5. Flip the patty, immediately top with a slice of cheddar cheese, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
6. Butter the buns and toast them cut-side down in the same skillet.
7. Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Never press burgers more than once or you’ll squeeze out all the juices.
Your skillet must be scorching hot before adding meat or burgers will steam instead of sear.
Season burgers AFTER smashing onto the skillet so seasoning sticks to the crispy crust.
Use 80/20 ground beef for the perfect fat-to-meat ratio.
Don’t refrigerate the meat – room temperature cooks more evenly.
Press parchment paper on top before smashing for easier cleanup.
Save those crispy bits in the pan for your next batch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American