Smashburgers are a delicious and popular type of burger known for their crispy, seared exterior and juicy interior. Making an ultimate smashburger on your griddle is a fantastic choice, and it's relatively simple. Here's a recipe to create the perfect smashburger:
Ingredients:
For the Patties:
- 1 pound of ground beef (80% lean is recommended for juiciness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sliced American cheese (or your cheese of choice)
For the Burger:
- Burger buns
- Butter, for toasting the buns
- Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and other condiments
- Sliced onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes
- Optional toppings like bacon, sautéed mushrooms, or fried eggs
Instructions:
-
Preheat Your Griddle: Start by preheating your griddle to medium-high heat. You want it nice and hot for the perfect sear.
-
Prepare Your Patties:
- Divide the ground beef into equal portions, each about 2-3 ounces. Don't overwork the meat; gently shape them into loose balls.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper. It's important to season right before cooking to retain the meat's moisture.
-
Toast the Buns:
- While your griddle is heating, butter the burger buns and toast them on the griddle until they're golden brown. Set them aside.
-
Smash the Patties:
- Place each meat ball on the griddle, leaving enough space between them.
- Using a sturdy spatula or a burger press, firmly press down on each meat ball to create a thin patty. The goal is to create a seared, crispy exterior, so don't be afraid to press hard. As you press, the edges will become thin and lacy, which adds to the burger's appeal.
-
Cook the Patties:
- Cook the patties for about 2-3 minutes on one side until they're nicely seared, and the edges are brown and crispy.
- Flip the patties and immediately add a slice of cheese to each patty. This will allow the cheese to melt as the second side cooks, giving you that perfect cheeseburger.
-
Build Your Burger:
- While the second side is cooking, prepare your burger buns with your favorite condiments and toppings.
- Once the cheese has melted and the second side is seared to your liking, transfer the patties onto the prepared buns.
-
Add Toppings:
- Top your burgers with sliced onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, or any other toppings you desire.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Close your burger with the other toasted bun half, and you're ready to serve your ultimate smashburger.
These smashburgers are incredibly flavorful and have a wonderful textural contrast between the crispy edges and juicy interior. Customize your ultimate smashburger with your favorite condiments and toppings, and savor the deliciousness that comes from cooking on a griddle.