Andy Montoya
Smash burgers are made by forming balls of ground beef and pressing or smashing them into thin patties on a hot griddle or skillet. This creates a crispy, browned exterior while maintaining the patty's juiciness. A slice of cheese is added to one patty, and the second patty is stacked on top, allowing the cheese to melt and bind the patties together. While American cheese is commonly used, other options such as cheddar, Swiss, or Pepper Jack can also be used to add a creamy or melty element to the burger. The key to a successful smash burger is achieving a thin patty with a high surface area-to-volume ratio, which ensures even cooking and allows for a generous amount of cheese and toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | American, Cheddar, Swiss, Pepper Jack, Havarti, or any other melty cheese |
| How to cook the patty | Place ground beef balls on a hot, unoiled griddle and smash down with a stiff metal spatula to form a thin patty |
| When to add cheese | After flipping the patty, place the cheese on top of one patty and stack the other on top |
| How to serve | Place the patties on a bun and serve with toppings and sauces of choice |
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What You'll Learn
Using American cheese
Smash burgers are a great way to feed a crowd. They are quick and easy to make, and have the iconic flavour profile of classic cheeseburgers. The key to a smash burger is to form balls of ground beef and then press or smash them with a burger press or spatula into thin patties as soon as they hit the hot grill or pan. This creates extra browning and flavour on the outside while maintaining the patty's juiciness.
When it comes to cheese, American cheese is a great option for smash burgers. It melts beautifully over the patties and helps to bind the two patties together. Go for deli-sliced American cheese, which will melt over the patties like a creamy dream. It's much better than individually wrapped slices.
To assemble your smash burger with American cheese, start by dividing your ground beef into equal portions and forming them into balls. You can make these ahead of time and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to cook. Place the balls of beef onto a hot, unoiled griddle or skillet and smash them down firmly into flat, thin disks. Season the patties with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and add a dab of sauce. After about 2 minutes, flip the patties, making sure to scrape up the crust from the bottom. Top each patty with a slice of American cheese and place the second patty directly on top. This way, the cheese melts from both sides simultaneously, helping the patties stay together.
Finally, transfer the stacked patties to the bottom bun halves and top with your desired toppings. Serve immediately. Enjoy the perfect combination of juicy meat, gooey cheese, and a crisp, lacy crust!
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Using cheddar cheese
When making smash burgers, you can use thick-sliced medium cheddar cheese. It's best to use a melty cheese, as this will help bind the patties together.
To make the burger, form balls of ground beef and place them on a hot, unoiled griddle. Smash the balls down firmly into flat, thin disks. This increases the contact points between the meat and the griddle, delivering maximum crust and flavour. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Once the patties have been flipped, add a slice of cheddar cheese to one patty and stack the other on top. This way, the cheese will melt from the heat of both patties, helping them stay together.
You can also add toppings such as mayonnaise, mustard, shredded lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and pickles.
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Using Swiss cheese
Swiss cheese is a great option for smash burgers, and it pairs especially well with mushrooms. Swiss cheese has a mild, nutty flavour and a creamy texture, making it a tasty addition to any burger. Here's a step-by-step guide to making delicious Swiss cheese smash burgers:
Prepare the Beef
Start by dividing your ground beef into equal portions, rolling each into a ball. A typical smash burger uses about 3-4 ounces of beef per patty, so divide your beef accordingly. You can use ground chuck for a juicier burger, as it has a higher fat content.
Smash and Season
Place a ball of beef onto a hot, unoiled griddle or skillet. Use a stiff metal spatula or a burger press to smash the beef into a thin, flat patty. You can use wax paper or parchment paper between the press and the meat to make this step easier. Season the patty with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and any other seasonings you like.
Cook the Patty
Let the patty cook for about 2-3 minutes, then flip it over with a metal spatula. The edges should be starting to caramelize and get crispy. Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes, until it reaches your desired doneness.
Add Swiss Cheese
Once the patty is cooked, place a slice of Swiss cheese on top. Aged Swiss cheese is a great option for its stronger flavour. You can spritz a little water around the patty to create steam, which will help melt the cheese.
Stack and Top
Place a second patty on top of the first, with the cheese in between. This will help keep the burgers moist and hold them together. Top the stacked patties with sautéed mushrooms and any other toppings you like. Transfer the burgers to a soft, slightly toasted brioche bun or your favourite bun.
Serve
Smash burgers are best served immediately, while the cheese is still melted and the toppings are hot. Enjoy the juicy, tender, and tasty Swiss cheese smash burgers!
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Using Pepper Jack cheese
To make a smash burger with Pepper Jack cheese, start by dividing your ground beef into equal portions to form balls. The number of portions will depend on how many burgers you want to make. For example, if you're making four double-patty burgers, you'll need to divide 1.5 lbs of ground beef into eight 3-oz portions.
Next, preheat your cooking surface. You can use a skillet, griddle, or grill. Place two to four balls of beef onto the hot surface, depending on your surface area. Cover each ball with a sheet of parchment paper and smash it into a thin patty. Remove the parchment paper and season the patties with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add a dab of sauce at this point.
After searing the patties for about 2 minutes on the first side, flip them over. Add a slice of Pepper Jack cheese to half of the patties and top each with a second patty. The cheese will melt from the heat of the burger, helping the two patties stick together.
Remove the burgers from the heat and serve them on toasted buns with your desired toppings and sauces. Some popular toppings for smash burgers include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
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Melting cheese between two patties
To make a smash burger with cheese melted between two patties, start by forming balls of ground beef. Place 2 to 4 cold pieces of meat onto a hot surface. Cover each piece with a sheet of parchment paper and smash into a thin patty. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then add a dab of sauce and flip.
After flipping the patty, add a slice of cheese. American or cheddar cheese is recommended, but you can use your favourite sliced cheese. The cheese will melt quickly as it is heated from both sides simultaneously. Place the second patty directly on top. This will help the patties stay together when you assemble the burger.
You can also try adding toppings like thinly sliced onions to the uncooked side of the patty before flipping. This will give you delicious griddled onions stuck to the patty.
Finally, place the patties on a toasted bun and add your desired toppings and sauces. Serve immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any cheese you like, but American cheese slices are a popular choice as they melt quickly and smoothly. Deli-sliced cheese is preferable to pre-wrapped slices. Other options include sharp cheddar, Swiss, Pepper Jack, and Havarti.
Add cheese immediately after flipping your patty. Place a slice of cheese on one of the patties and stack the second patty on top. This way, the cheese melts from both sides, helping the patties stay together.
To make smash burgers, divide ground beef into balls. Heat a skillet or griddle to a high temperature. Place the beef balls on the hot surface, cover with parchment paper, and smash them into thin patties. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Flip the patties and add cheese as described above. Place the cheeseburger on a toasted bun and serve with your desired toppings and sauces.
