Description
These smash burgers are a delicious, quick-to-make take on classic American-style burgers featuring crispy, thin patties pressed on a hot skillet, topped with melted cheddar, fresh vegetables, and served on toasted buns. Perfect for a satisfying homemade burger experience with perfectly caramelized crust and juicy interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Buns & Sauces
- 4 burger buns, sesame topped or brioche
- Mayonnaise, ketchup and American mustard, or your preferred sauces, to serve
Burger Patties & Toppings
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 500g steak mince, 15-20% fat
- 4 slices mild cheddar or burger cheese
- 1 red onion, finely sliced
- Handfuls of iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 large gherkin, sliced lengthways
Instructions
- Prepare the buns: Slice the burger buns in half and toast or grill the cut sides until lightly browned. Set aside to keep warm.
- Preheat oven and season meat: Heat the oven to 100°C (80°C fan, gas mark ¼). Divide the mince into four loose piles and season each generously with salt.
- Heat the skillet and oil: Heat ¼ tbsp of sunflower oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over high heat until very hot.
- Form and smash the patties: Place one pile of mince in the pan. Quickly cover with a square of baking parchment and press down firmly and evenly using another smaller pan or a rolling pin wrapped in oven gloves, being careful of heat and steam. Cook for 2 minutes to develop a crust.
- Flip, press and add cheese: Remove the parchment and flip the patty over. Press down firmly with a spatula, place a slice of cheese on top, and cook for another 1 minute to melt the cheese.
- Keep patties warm: Transfer the cooked patty to a baking tray and keep warm in the preheated oven while cooking the other patties in the same manner.
- Assemble the burgers: On the bottom half of each bun, layer the finely sliced red onion, shredded iceberg lettuce, and tomato slices. Add the smashed patty topped with melted cheese, then layer with gherkin slices. Cover with the bun top.
- Serve: Serve the assembled burgers immediately with mayonnaise, ketchup, American mustard, or your preferred sauces on the side.
Notes
- Use high-fat mince (15-20%) for juicy and flavorful patties with a good crust.
- Pressing the patties thin and cooking on high heat is essential for the iconic smash burger crust.
- Keep cooked patties warm in a low oven while preparing the others to serve all burgers hot.
- Choose sesame or brioche buns based on your texture and flavor preference.
- You can customize toppings and sauces based on personal taste.
- Be careful when pressing the patties to avoid steam burns.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Burger
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: smash burgers, classic burgers, skillet burgers, cheeseburger recipe, quick burgers, homemade burgers, easy burger recipe
