Smash Burger Copycat
A crispy-crusted, double-stacked smash burger made at home in under 20 minutes — with that deep caramelized sear and glossy cheese pull that beats any fast food version.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices American cheese
- 2 potato buns toasted
- ¼ cup shredded white onion
- 8 dill pickle chips
- ¼ cup shredded iceberg lettuce
- 3 tablespoon burger sauce mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickle brine, garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat cast iron skillet over high heat for 3 minutes until smoking. Form beef into loose 3-oz balls. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place beef ball on hot skillet. Press down hard with spatula until patty is ¼ inch thin. Hold 10 seconds. Cook 90 seconds undisturbed.
- Flip once. Add cheese immediately. Stack two patties if desired with cheese between layers.
- Toast buns in remaining pan fat. Spread burger sauce on both halves. Build burger with patty stack, pickles, onion, and lettuce. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use parchment paper between spatula and beef for cleaner smash.
Two thin patties always beat one thick patty for crust ratio.
Serve immediately — the crust softens quickly once assembled.
Two thin patties always beat one thick patty for crust ratio.
Serve immediately — the crust softens quickly once assembled.