Classic Grilled Smash Burgers

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb ground beef, 80/20 fat ratio
• 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
• 8 slices American cheese
• 4 soft hamburger buns
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 dill pickle, sliced
• 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Divide the ground beef into 8 loosely formed balls, about 3 oz each, handling the meat as little as possible; overworking ground beef makes tough, dense patties.
2. Do not season the balls yet; salt will be added right before they hit the grill so it does not draw out moisture too early.
3. Preheat the grill to very high heat, 450-500F, using a flat griddle attachment or a well-oiled cast iron skillet placed directly on the grill grates if you have one, since smash burgers need a solid hot surface rather than open grates.
4. Toast the cut sides of the buns with butter directly on the grill for 30-60 seconds until golden, then set aside.
5. Place a beef ball on the hot surface and immediately press it flat with a sturdy spatula or a smash tool, holding pressure for 10-15 seconds until it spreads to about 4-5 inches wide and very thin.
6. Season the exposed top of each patty immediately with a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Let the patties cook undisturbed for 90 seconds to 2 minutes; you will see a deep brown, crispy, lacy crust forming on the bottom edges, which is the whole point of the smash technique.
8. Flip each patty once with a thin spatula, scraping firmly to capture all the crispy bits, then immediately top with a slice of American cheese.
9. Cook the second side for about 60-90 seconds more, just until the cheese is fully melted and the center is no longer pink; ground beef should reach a safe internal temperature of 160F.
10. Stack two smashed patties together per burger for a classic double, or serve single patties for a smaller portion.
11. While patties finish, stir together mayonnaise and mustard for a quick burger sauce.
12. Spread the sauce on the toasted bottom bun, add the cheesy patties, top with pickle slices and thin onion, and close with the top bun.

Nutrition

Calories	640
Protein	36.0 g
Fat	42.0 g
Carbs	28.0 g
Fiber	1.0 g
Sodium	1080 mg

Nutrition information is an estimate per serving and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.