Ultra Juicy, Crispy-Edged Perfection
If you love juicy burgers with irresistibly crispy edges, these smash burgers are about to become your new weeknight favorite. This easy smash burger recipe delivers diner-style flavor with minimal prep and maximum crunch. Perfect for busy evenings, backyard cookouts, or casual family dinners, they cook in minutes and taste like something straight off a flat-top grill. The secret? Pressing the beef thin so it caramelizes beautifully for those signature crispy edges. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and ready fast — this is comfort food done right!
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4 burgers
📝 Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 burger buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter (for toasting buns)
- ½ small onion, thinly sliced
- Dill pickle slices
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large cast iron skillet or flat-top griddle
- Sturdy metal spatula
- Parchment paper squares
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Beef
Divide the ground beef into 8 loosely packed balls (about 3 ounces each). Do not overwork the meat — this keeps the burgers tender.
2️⃣ Heat the Pan
Place your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Let it get very hot — almost smoking. A hot surface is key for crispy edges 🔥
3️⃣ Smash & Season
Place one beef ball in the skillet. Lay a small square of parchment paper on top and press down firmly with a spatula until very thin. Remove parchment. Immediately season with salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining balls.
4️⃣ Cook Until Crispy
Cook for 2–3 minutes until the edges are deeply browned and crispy. You’ll see lacy, caramelized edges forming — that’s perfect!
5️⃣ Flip & Add Cheese
Scrape under the patty firmly to flip. Add a slice of cheddar and cook another 1–2 minutes until melted 🧀
6️⃣ Toast the Buns
While burgers cook, butter the buns and toast them in a separate pan until golden brown.
7️⃣ Assemble the Burgers
Stack two patties per bun for that classic smash burger style. Add onions, pickles, lettuce, and your ketchup-mayo-mustard sauce.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy 🍔✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best texture.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze raw beef balls separated by parchment for quick future meals.
- Extra Crispy Edges: Press thinner than you think — thinner equals crispier!
- Flavor Boost: Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef before forming balls.