Classic American Smash Burger

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The ultimate American smash burger featuring ultra-crispy double beef patties, melted cheddar, grilled pineapple, and savory orange sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

The American smash burger is celebrated for its signature lacy, caramelized edges achieved by pressing a ball of seasoned ground beef firmly onto an intensely hot griddle. This high-heat method locks in juices while maximizing the savory crust, creating an unbeatable texture contrast against soft brioche and melted cheese.

Two freshly assembled American smash burgers with double beef patties, melted cheese, and grilled pineapple on toasted brioche buns
Two freshly assembled American smash burgers with double beef patties, melted cheese, and grilled pineapple on toasted brioche buns
Prep15 mins
Cook10 mins
Total25 mins
Yield2 servings
DifficultyEasy
Calories750 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Press and Sear Ground Beef Balls
    A metal press tool flattening a ground beef ball on a hot stainless steel flat griddle.

    Place the prepared ground beef balls onto a hot, ungreased flat iron griddle. Position a metal press tool or spatula over each ball and press down firmly and thinly to form a wide patty with a craggy edge.

    Tip: Do not press the patties down after the initial smash, as this squeezes out the flavorful juices.
  2. 2Assemble Burger Components
    Searing burger patties with melted cheese next to prepared hamburger buns, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes.

    Sear the smashed patties on high heat until a crispy crust forms, then flip and top with cheese. Arrange toasted hamburger buns on the griddle alongside, layering them with shredded lettuce and fresh sliced tomatoes in preparation for final assembly.

    Tip: Toast the bun interiors with a thin layer of butter to prevent them from becoming soggy from the sauces.
  3. 3Place Patty onto Bun
    A metal spatula transferring a grilled burger patty with melted cheese and a pineapple slice onto a bun base.

    Use a spatula to lift the hot, cheese-topped burger patty and carefully transfer it onto the prepared hamburger bun base. Ensure the patty aligns properly with the lettuce and tomato layers underneath.

    Tip: Handle the patty gently with a thin metal spatula to keep the crispy cheese crust intact.

Storage & Reheating

Room Temperature
Consume immediately
Smash burgers are best enjoyed fresh off the griddle while the crust is crispy and cheese is melted.

Burn It Off

Running
~75 minutes at a vigorous pace (~11 km/h).
Hyrox
~80 minutes of high-intensity functional training.
Pickleball
~1 hour 45 minutes of active competitive play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pressing the beef ball firmly right when it hits the hot griddle creates the signature lacy, crispy crust. Pressing it later in the cooking process squeezes out all the natural juices, resulting in a dry burger.
An eighty-twenty or seventy-thirty lean-to-fat ratio is ideal. The extra fat renders out on the hot griddle to fry the edges of the patty and keep the meat tender.
Yes, American cheese or any good melting cheese like cheddar or Swiss works wonderfully because they melt quickly over the hot patty during the final seconds of cooking.
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