Dinner

Smash Burger with Easy Secret Sauce Recipe

ByAndria Russo December 26, 2025December 26, 2025

Introduction

The classic smash burger is all about a crispy, juicy patty with melty cheese and a flavorful secret sauce. This recipe keeps things simple yet satisfying, perfect for a quick homemade burger that tastes like it’s straight from a burger joint.

The image shows a close-up of a juicy burger with a sesame seed bun on a white marbled surface. The burger has four visible layers: at the bottom is a soft, golden bun layer, topped with a row of green pickle slices; above this is a thick, grilled beef patty with a crispy outer texture; on top of the patty is a generous layer of creamy orange sauce with herbs mixed in, slightly dripping over the sides; the top bun is golden brown with sesame seeds scattered evenly across. The lighting highlights the shiny texture of the sauce and the slight glisten on the beef. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 slices American cheese
4 brioche buns
Toppings: lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pickle juice

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat, ensuring it’s hot enough to create a nice sear on the burgers.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice to make the secret sauce. Set aside.
Step 3: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls, then season each one generously with salt and black pepper.
Step 4: Place each beef ball on the hot grill or skillet. Using a spatula, firmly smash each ball down into a thin patty. Cook for about 3 minutes until crispy edges develop.
Step 5: Flip the patties and immediately place a slice of American cheese on each one. Cook for another minute until the cheese melts and the burger is cooked through.
Step 6: Spread the secret sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the brioche buns. Assemble each burger with a patty and your choice of lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onions.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, use a cast-iron skillet and press the patties firmly with a heavy spatula or burger press.
Try swapping American cheese for sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor.
Add sautéed mushrooms or crispy bacon as toppings to elevate the burger further.
Toast the brioche buns lightly in the skillet for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover patties and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat patties gently in a skillet over medium heat to retain juiciness. Assemble fresh burgers with warmed patties and fresh buns before serving.