• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Girl With The Iron Cast
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Shop
  • Contact Me
    • Subscribe to my newsletter!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Follow GWTIC on Social Media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Shop
    • Contact Me
      • Subscribe to my newsletter!
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
  • Follow GWTIC on Social Media!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Grilling » Smash Burgers

    Smash Burgers

    May 6, 2021

    3654 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These smash burgers cooked in a grilled cast-iron skillet will be the only way you’ll want to make a burger from here on out. They’re so simple and leave you with tender, juicy beef patties covered in melted cheese and topped with a special sauce for the ultimate burger recipe!

    double smash burgers with cheese, special sauce on top, and lettuce on a wooden plate

    What’s a smash burger?

    close up of double smash burgers with special sauce on top and lettuce

    Smash burgers are when you flatten beef burger patties on a flat hot surface. By doing this, you are left with a browned crispy-edged beef patty- but still juicy!

    Since smash burgers are so thin, they also cook very quickly.

    What is the difference between a smash burger and a regular burger?

    The biggest difference between these smash burgers and a regular hamburger is how they are cooked. The ingredients are pretty much the same.

    With a smash burger, you literally smash it down on the hot cooking surface to have a really tin patty. To make a regular hamburger, you just add a beef patty to your hot surface and cook it.

    Smash burger ingredients

    To make these delicious burgers, you will need:

    • Ground chuck (80/20)
    • Vegetable oil (or high smoke oil)
    • Kosher salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • Sliced American cheese
    • Brioche burger buns
    • Lettuce
    • Parchment paper

    Best type of beef to use for smash burgers

    balls of ground beef with salt and pepper on top

    This smash burger recipe seems almost too simple to live up to the hype, but sometimes less is more. For the beef, I use 80/20 ground chuck. 80% lean beef to 20% fat, the extra fat gives these burgers extra flavor.

    If you’re feeling adventurous, you can do a mixture of half ground chuck and half ground brisket if you can find some. Seasoning is just kosher salt and ground black pepper.

    What is the best surface for smash burgers?

    raw burger on cast iron on a grill

    To ensure you get your burgers smashed thin enough, you’ll need a flat surface. I like to use a big cast iron skillet on my grill, but you can use a flat cast iron griddle instead. You’ll be able to cook more burgers at a time that way.

    Grill tip:

    The grill needs to be VERY hot to achieve the browned flavorful crust on your smash burgers. The grill should be 450F and once to temperature, allow the cast iron to heat up for 5 minutes prior to adding the beef.

    How to make smash burgers

    1. Use a piece of parchment paper between the beef and the spatula. This will keep the spatula from sticking to the meat.
    2. Once you’ve smashed the burger down, due to the high heat and thin patty, it will cook quickly. Repeat with another patty alongside.

    Grilling tip:

    Some spatulas aren’t strong enough to smash the meat down all the way, so I recommend using two to help press it down (or a burger press is ideal if you have one).

    smashing burger pattys thin with a spatula and parchment paper on cast iron skillet
    1. Cook the smash burger on the first side for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
    2. Flip the smash burger and immediately put the cheese on, cook 30 more seconds for the cheese to melt. I use fresh American cheese from the deli, it melts great on these burgers. Repeat steps with remaining beef.
    melting cheese on a burger on the cast iron

    Can you cook this recipe inside?

    Due to the high heat needed for these burgers, it will be very smokey. So if you don’t mind your smoke alarm going off, you can cook them inside. However, I suggest grilling them or cooking them outside.

    Special sauce ingredients

    As good as these smash burgers are on their own, this special sauce takes them to the next level! This special burger sauce is so easy to make and only four ingredients:

    • Mayonnaise 
    • Ketchup
    • Yellow mustard
    • Chopped dill pickles

    To make the special sauce:

    Add the ketchup, mayo, and mustard to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Add in the chopped pickles and mix into the sauce. Taste and adjust the condiments if necessary.

    Sauce tip:

    If making ahead, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    mayo, mustard, and ketchup being whisked together with diced pickles

    Skeptical of the combination of condiments? Don’t be! This special sauce will change your burger game forever.

    bowl of special sauce to go on hamburger

    Assembling your burger

    I like to keep it simple with these burgers, using a brioche bun that I toasted on the grill and lettuce. Feel free to add toppings, but remember less is more.

    These smash burgers are meant to be served as a double patty since they are so thin!

    close up of a double smash burger with melted cheese on a brioche bun

    Creative burger recipe ideas

    Be creative when you make smash burgers. That’s the fun part of cooking!

    • Add some caramelized onions and BBQ sauce.
    • Put a few onion rings on the burger for a bit of crunch!
    • If you like spicy foods, top the burger with some jalapeno slices and use spicy cheese!

    There are so many different ways to make these burgers. You can even get more ideas from restaurant menus – they are pretty easy to recreate.

    double stacked hamburger with special sauce on a wooden plank

    What to serve with thin smash burger recipe

    What goes better with cheeseburgers than salty french fries? How about crispy roasted potatoes?

    Depending on the type of burger, I sometimes will also serve them with some 3 cheese baked mac and cheese or some Brussel sprouts caesar salad!

    double smash burgers with cheese, special sauce on top, and lettuce on a wooden plate

    Looking for more grilling recipes?

    • The Best Grilled Chicken Marinade
    • Blue Cheese Burgers
    • Fall-Off-The-Bone Dry Rub Ribs
    • Jerk Chicken Skewers

    For the web story version of this recipe, click here!

    Made this recipe and loved it? Leave a star rating below!

    cast iron 101 e-book for sale
    close up of a double smash burger with melted cheese on a brioche bun

    Smash Burgers

    These cast iron smash burgers, prepared on the grill, will be the only way you make burgers from now on. This smash burger recipe is so simple, but leaves you with juicy tender beef with melted cheese on top. These smash burgers are topped with a special sauce on top, for the ultimate burger recipe.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Beef
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cast iron smash burgers, smash burgers, smashed beef burgers
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings (8 patties)
    Calories: 554kcal
    Author: Tania

    Equipment

    • Outset Heavy Duty Grill Spatula
    • Lodge 13.25 Pre Seasoned Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Large Classic Cast Iron Skillet for Family Size Meals

    Ingredients

    Smash Burgers

    • 1 ½ pounds ground chuck 80/20 or mix of ground chuck and ground brisket
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or high smoke oil
    • Kosher salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • Freshly sliced American cheese
    • Brioche burger buns
    • Butterhead or romaine lettuce
    • Parchment paper

    Special Sauce

    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 3 tablespoons ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
    • 3 tablespoons chopped dill pickles

    Instructions

    Smash Burgers

    • Preheat the grill to 400F. Place cast iron skillet or cast iron grilled on the grates and allow it to preheat for 5 minutes.
    • While the grill preheats, form 2 inch balls with the meat (do not over work), you should have 8 balls. Season the top of each ball of beef with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
    • Raise the grill heat to 450F and brush the tsp of vegetable oil onto the skillet. The skillet will begin smoking.
    • Depending on the size of your skillet, add 2-3 pucks of beef (do not crowd them since we will be smashing them down). Immediately place piece of parchment paper on top of puck and press down with a spatula, smashing the burger thin. (If one spatula isn’t strong enough, use a second to assist). Repeat with other pieces of beef on skillet. Cook for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
    • Flip the burgers and immediately place the sliced American cheese on top. Cook 30 more seconds until the cheese has melted. Remove from the skillet and repeat with remaining beef.
    • Lightly toast the brioche buns on the grill.
    • These burgers are meant to be eaten stacked with two patties per burger. Place bottom of brioche bun down, followed by lettuce, two patties, then spoon special sauce over the top.

    Special Sauce

    • In a small bowl, add the ketchup, mayo, and mustard, whisk to combine. Add in the chopped pickles and mix into the sauce. Taste and adjust condiments if necessary. If making ahead, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    Smash burger tips/FAQ’s

    • Use 80/20 ground chuck. If you’re feeling adventurous, use half ground chuck and half ground brisket.
    • You’ll need a flat surface on the grill. Large cast iron skillet or a flat cast iron griddle to cook more at a time.
    • The grill has to be HOT. 450F, allow the cast iron to heat up for 5 minutes prior to adding the beef.
    • Use a piece of parchment paper between the beef and the spatula. This will keep the spatula from sticking to the meat.
    • Some spatula’s aren’t strong enough to smash the meat enough. Use two spatula’s to help press it down (or a burger press is ideal if you have one). Caution: watch your hands on the lip of the cast iron when smashing since it will be very hot.
    • Cook the smash burger on the first side for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
    • Flip the smash burger and immediately put the cheese on, cook 30 more seconds for the cheese to melt. Use fresh American cheese from the deli, it melts great on the smash burgers.
    • Don’t forget the special sauce!!
    • Can I make this inside? Because of the high heat needed for these burgers, it will be very smokey. So if you don’t mind your smoke alarm going off…

    Nutrition

    Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 517mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg
    Made this recipe?Mention @GirlWithTheIronCast or tag #girlwiththeironcast!
    « Okra Fried Rice
    Herb Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo »
    3654 shares

    Originally Published: May 6, 2021 Post Updated: January 31, 2023 Filed Under: American, Beef, Cast Iron, Dinner, Grilling, Marinades, Sauces, Dressing, Quick Meals, Recipes, Spring Delights, Summer Tagged With: Lettuce

    Subscribe to my newsletter!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Winter Comfort

    close up of lentil bolognese on top of pasta with garlic bread and fresh basil

    Lentil Bolognese

    soufflé dish with mashed potato soufflé being lifted out with a spoon

    Potato Soufflé

    Red dutch oven filled with rigatoni, bell pepper, and eggplant, a white bowl filled with pasta and basil leaves on top

    Roasted Eggplant and Bell Pepper Pasta

    Short Rib Ragu

    white bowl with roasted tomatillo chicken soup topped with cotija cheese, avocado, and fresh diced avocado

    Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Soup

    cast iron skillet with stacked up biscuits and a sliced open biscuit on plate

    Buttermilk Cast Iron Biscuits

    More Winter Recipes...

    Footer

    Follow GWTIC on Social Media!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact GWTIC

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme