Description
This Smash Burger recipe features juicy 80/20 ground beef patties smashed on a hot grill or skillet for crispy edges and topped with melted American cheese. It is served on buttery brioche buns with a flavorful, easy-to-make secret sauce combining mayo, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice. Customize with classic toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions for a delicious, satisfying burger experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Burgers
- 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
Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough to create a nice sear and crispy edges on the patties.
- Make Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice; mix well to create a flavorful secret sauce to spread on the buns.
- Prepare Beef Balls: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls, then season each generously with salt and black pepper for maximum flavor.
- Smash and Cook Patties: Place each beef ball onto the hot grill or skillet and firmly smash them down with a spatula into thin patties. Cook for about 3 minutes without disturbing until crispy, caramelized edges form.
- Flip and Melt Cheese: Flip each patty carefully and immediately place a slice of American cheese on top. Cook for another minute until the cheese melts perfectly.
- Assemble Burgers: Spread the secret sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the brioche buns. Layer each bottom bun with a cheesy patty and desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions. Top with the bun lids and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for juiciness and flavor.
- Don’t press the patties too thin; just enough to get crispy edges while keeping some thickness for juiciness.
- Toast the brioche buns on the skillet or grill for extra texture and flavor.
- The secret sauce can be adjusted with more or less pickle juice depending on your preferred tanginess.
- Customize your toppings to taste – add onions, pickles, tomato, or lettuce as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Smash burger, homemade burger, secret sauce, grill burger, American cheese burger, brioche buns, classic burger recipe
