Description
This Smash Burger recipe delivers crispy, flavorful burgers with melted cheddar cheese, savory bacon, and buttery caramelized onions. Ground beef patties are seasoned and smashed on a hot flat-top grill for optimal browning and juiciness. Finished with BBQ sauce and layered buns, these burgers offer a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors ideal for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Burgers
- 24 ounces ground beef (80/20)
- 8 slices sliced Cheddar Cheese
Toppings and Extras
- 8 strips bacon
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 small onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside for use in seasoning the meat and onions.
- Form Meat Balls: Divide the ground beef into eight 3-ounce portions and roll each into a tight ball. These will become your patties after smashing.
- Cook the Bacon: Preheat a flat-top grill to medium heat. Lay the bacon strips on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes until crispy. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Prepare Onions: Add butter to the grill and allow it to melt thoroughly. Add the thinly sliced onions and toss to coat them evenly in the butter.
- Season and Sauté Onions: Sprinkle about a quarter of the seasoning mix over the onions. Continuously toss them with a spatula until they soften and start to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove onions from the heat and set aside.
- Preheat Grill for Patties: Increase grill heat to high and grease the flat-top surface with vegetable oil to prevent sticking during patties cooking.
- Season Meat Balls: Lightly season the top of each meat ball with the prepared seasoning mix before smashing.
- Smash Patties: Place each seasoned meat ball seasoning side down on the hot grill. Using parchment paper and a weight, firmly smash each ball into a very thin patty, focusing on spreading the edges to create crispy edges.
- Season Patties After Smashing: Sprinkle seasoning on the top surface of each smashed patty immediately after pressing them down.
- Cook First Side: Let the patties cook until their surface appears lacy and the edges are browned and crispy, approximately 2 minutes.
- Flip Patties: Using a scraper, carefully lift and flip each patty to the other side.
- Flavor with BBQ Sauce: Brush the freshly flipped side of each patty generously with BBQ sauce.
- Add Cheese: Immediately place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty to allow it to melt fully.
- Cook Until Cheese Melts: Continue cooking the patties for about 2 more minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Stack Patties (Optional): For double burgers, stack one cooked patty on top of the other.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the patties from the grill and assemble on buns of your choice, topped with crispy bacon and buttery caramelized onions. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use parchment paper when smashing patties to prevent sticking and to get an even thin press.
- Cooking time is approximate and may vary based on grill temperature—adjust accordingly for desired level of doneness.
- For juicier burgers, avoid pressing down on patties while cooking beyond the initial smash.
- Serve with your favorite burger buns and condiments to customize flavors.
- If you prefer, you can substitute the flat-top grill with a heavy skillet or cast iron pan on the stovetop.
