Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Willa's›Smash Cheeseburger Recipe

Smash Cheeseburger Recipe

Inspired by Willa's
Time30m
Serves2

Make Smash Cheeseburger Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties

Toppings

Cooking Fat

Method

Preparing the Patties

  1. 1

    Seasoning the Beef

    In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with salt and black pepper. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.

  2. 2

    Forming the Patties

    Divide the seasoned beef into two equal portions and shape them into loose balls, about 3-4 ounces each.

Cooking the Burgers

  1. 3

    Heating the Pan

    Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it heat until shimmering.

  2. 4

    Smashing the Patties

    Place the beef balls in the hot skillet, spacing them apart. Use a spatula to smash each ball down firmly to form a thin patty.

  3. 5

    Cooking the Patties

    Cook the patties for about 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned. Flip the patties and immediately place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty.

  4. 6

    Finishing the Cooking

    Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked to your desired doneness.

Assembling the Burgers

  1. 7

    Preparing the Buns

    While the patties are cooking, slice the burger buns in half and toast them lightly on the skillet if desired.

  2. 8

    Adding Toppings

    Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each toasted bun, followed by the smashed cheeseburger patty. Add a slice of tomato, pickles, ketchup, and mustard to taste before topping with the other half of the bun.

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