Classic Smash Burger Recipe

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Refrigerate while preparing burgers to let flavors meld.

Lightly butter the cut sides of the brioche buns with the softened unsalted butter.

Heat a griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place the buttered buns cut-side down and toast until golden, about 30–60 seconds. Remove and set aside.

Wash and dry lettuce leaves, slice tomato into 2 even slices, and thinly slice red onion. Arrange deli pickle slices.

Divide and shape

Divide the 10 oz ground beef into four loosely packed balls of 2.5 oz each (this makes two patties per burger, thin when smashed). Do not overwork the meat; handle gently.

Preheat and oil

Heat the griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (a drop of water should sizzle aggressively). Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and spread.

Smash and season

Place two meat balls on the hot surface for the first burger (and repeat for second burger if cooking sequentially). Using a sturdy spatula or burger press, smash each ball firmly and evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness. Immediately season the exposed surface with about 1/4 tsp kosher salt and a light dusting of black pepper per patty (split the salt/pepper among patties).

Cook first side

Cook without moving until the edges brown and juices rise to the surface, about 2–3 minutes.

Flip and cheese

Using a thin spatula, scrape underneath and flip each patty. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on each patty. Cook 30–60 seconds more until cheese melts and patties are cooked through (smash patties are very thin; total cook time ~3–4 minutes).

Repeat

Repeat smash, season, cook, flip and cheese for the second burger if not cooking both simultaneously.

Assemble: Spread about 1 tablespoon of smash sauce on the bottom bun. Place one cheese-topped patty on the sauce, then the second patty on top (stack two patties). Add 3 pickle slices, a piece of lettuce, 1 tomato slice and 1–2 red onion slices. Spoon a little more smash sauce on the top bun (about 1 tsp) if desired. Close the burger and serve immediately.