Description
A juicy and crispy smash burger with melted cheese and fresh toppings, perfect for Father’s Day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for best juiciness)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 slices American or cheddar cheese
- 4 soft burger buns (brioche recommended)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for toasting buns)
- Optional Toppings:
- Leafy lettuce
- Sliced ripe tomato
- Thinly sliced red onions
- Dill pickle slices
- Your favorite burger sauce or mayonnaise
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into four equal portions and loosely form into balls; avoid overhandling.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until smoking hot.
- Place one beef ball on the skillet, then immediately press down firmly with a spatula or a heavy pan scraper until the patty is about ¼-inch thick. Hold the pressure for 10 seconds to ensure a crisp crust forms.
- Season the patty generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes without disturbing, until the edges are golden brown and crispy.
- Flip the patty, add a slice of cheese on top, and cook for another 1–2 minutes. The cheese should melt beautifully while the patty cooks through.
- While the second side cooks, toast the buns buttered-side down in a separate pan or on a griddle until golden and slightly crisp.
- Assemble the burger by spreading sauce on the bun bottom, layering the cheesy patty, then piling on lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles as desired.
- Top with the bun crown and serve immediately, savoring the rich aroma and enticing texture.
Notes
- Use fresh, cold ground beef with around 20% fat content for juicy, flavorful patties.
- Do not press down on the burger after flipping to avoid squeezing out juices.
- Make sure your skillet is hot before smashing to achieve that perfect crust.
- Use a thin, sturdy spatula to press the patties evenly and scrape them off easily.
- Toast buns in butter for that golden, rich finish and added texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: smash burger, Father's Day, beef burger, crispy crust, juicy burger, homemade burger