Irresistible Smash Burger Recipe with Easy Secret Sauce Recipe
This irresistible Smash Burger recipe features juicy, crispy-edged beef patties cooked on a grill or skillet, topped with melted American cheese and served on soft brioche buns with a tangy and creamy secret sauce. Perfectly seasoned and garnished with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, these burgers deliver classic American flavors with a delightful homemade touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Burger 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
Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat grill or skillet: Heat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for smashing the burgers and creating crispy edges.
- Prepare secret sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice until combined. Set aside for assembly.
- Form and season beef balls: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls, then season each generously with salt and black pepper for flavor.
- Smash and cook patties: Place each beef ball on the hot grill or skillet and press down firmly with a spatula or burger press to flatten into patties. Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes until the edges become crispy and browned.
- Flip and add cheese: Flip the patties over and immediately top each patty with a slice of American cheese. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Assemble the burgers: Spread the secret sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the brioche buns. Layer the cooked patties on the bottom bun, then add desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onions. Top with the other bun half and serve hot.
Notes
- For the best smash burger texture, use 80/20 ground beef to ensure juiciness and flavor.
- Make sure the skillet or grill is very hot before smashing the patties to get crispy, caramelized edges.
- Do not press down on the patties after flipping to maintain juiciness and melt the cheese properly.
- You can customize toppings as preferred; some popular additions include sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, or different cheese varieties.
- The secret sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Keywords: smash burger, American cheese burger, homemade burger, secret sauce burger, grilled burgers, brioche buns, easy burger recipe
