Ultimate Wagyu Beef Smash Burger
Crispy Bacon

By CookFrames
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Experience the ultimate smash burger with juicy Wagyu beef, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and creamy house sauce on a perfectly toasted bun.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

The smash burger technique is the pinnacle of burger engineering, prioritizing high-heat caramelization for maximum flavor. By using premium Wagyu beef, this recipe elevates the humble diner staple into a gourmet experience that balances rich, rendered fat with the smoky crunch of fresh bacon.

A gourmet Wagyu beef smash burger with double patties, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and creamy sauce.
A gourmet Wagyu beef smash burger with double patties, melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and creamy sauce.
Prep15 mins
Cook10 mins
Total25 mins
Yield1 burger
DifficultyEasy
Calories850 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Chop the bacon
    A gloved hand using a knife to chop raw bacon strips on a wooden checkered cutting board.

    Using a sharp knife, carefully chop the strips of bacon into small, even pieces on a cutting board. Cutting the bacon into smaller pieces helps it render its fat more quickly and crisp up evenly when fried.

    Tip: Chilled bacon is much easier to cut cleanly than room-temperature bacon.
  2. 2Portion the wagyu beef
    Two perfectly round, raw wagyu beef meatballs being held in black-gloved hands over a metal tray.

    Divide the wagyu beef mince and gently shape it into two equal 75g portions. Roll them lightly into round balls without overworking the meat, which helps keep the burgers tender.

    Tip: Keep the beef balls cold until they are ready to hit the hot grill to ensure the fat does not melt prematurely.
  3. 3Fry the bacon
    Crispy bacon pieces frying on a hot flat-top grill.

    Empty the chopped bacon onto the preheated flat-top grill. Spread the pieces out evenly and fry until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.

    Tip: Keep the bacon in a single layer for even, crispy results.
  4. 4Fry the seasoned fries
    Golden brown, crispy fries being lifted from the deep fryer in a metal basket.

    Carefully lower the basket of seasoned fries into the hot oil of the deep fryer. Allow them to cook until they reach a golden brown color and a crispy texture, ensuring they are cooked evenly throughout.

    Tip: Do not overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
  5. 5Toast the burger buns
    Two halves of a soft burger bun, showing a golden toasted interior, held up by gloved hands.

    Slice the burger buns in half and lightly toast the cut sides until they develop a crisp, golden-brown crust. Toasting the buns creates a barrier that prevents the burger sauce and meat juices from making the bread soggy.

    Tip: You can toast the buns directly in the residual bacon fat for extra flavor.
  6. 6Smash the wagyu patties
    A heavy metal smasher pressing down on a ball of raw beef on a hot flat-top grill.

    Place the wagyu beef balls onto the very hot flat-top grill and immediately press them down firmly using a heavy metal spatula. Flattening them maximizes contact with the cooking surface, creating a beautifully caramelized, savory crust. Season the smashed patties with sea salt and black pepper.

    Tip: Only smash the patties right when they hit the grill; pressing them later will squeeze out their flavorful juices.
  7. 7Melt the cheese
    Cheddar cheese slices melting over Wagyu beef patties on a hot grill.

    Once the Wagyu beef patties are cooked, place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of each patty. Allow the cheese to melt fully from the heat of the grill.

    Tip: Cover the patties with a metal dome or lid for a few seconds to help the cheese melt perfectly.
  8. 8Prepare the bun
    Burger sauce being spread onto a toasted bun half.

    Place the bottom toasted burger bun on a cutting board. Spoon a generous amount of burger sauce onto the center of the bun.

    Tip: Ensure the bun is toasted well so it does not get soggy from the sauce.
  9. 9Add tomatoes
    Fresh tomato slices placed on top of the sauce on the burger bun.

    Layer two slices of fresh tomato directly onto the sauce-covered bottom bun.

    Tip: Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel before placing them to keep the burger firm.
  10. 10Assemble the burger
    Cheesy beef patties stacked on tomato slices on the burger bun.

    Carefully stack the cooked Wagyu beef patties, now topped with melted cheddar cheese, onto the tomato slices on the prepared bottom bun.

    Tip: Handle the patties gently to keep the cheese and toppings intact during assembly.
  11. 11Add crispy bacon
    Close-up of crispy bacon bits being sprinkled over melted cheddar cheese on a burger patty.

    Take the prepared crispy bacon pieces and generously sprinkle them over the top of the cheese-covered Wagyu beef patties. This adds a smoky, crunchy contrast to the juicy beef and melted cheese.

    Tip: Ensure the bacon is extra crispy for the best texture contrast against the soft bun and juicy patty.

Storage Instructions

Leftovers
1-2 days
Store components separately and assemble fresh for best texture

Burn It Off

Running
~80 minutes at a vigorous pace (~11 km/h).
Hyrox
~90 minutes of high-intensity functional training.
Pickleball
~2 hours of active competitive play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can substitute Wagyu with high-quality ground beef, ideally with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio to ensure the patties remain juicy.
Toasting creates a protective layer that prevents the fats and sauces from soaking into the bread, keeping the burger structured and easy to hold.
Chop the bacon into small, even pieces and fry it in a single layer. This allows the fat to render completely and ensures even crisping across every piece.
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