Entree: United States – North America – Smash Burger

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 8 min

Cook 4 min

Total 12 min

Ingredients

- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef, divided into eight 2 oz (57 g) loose balls (two patties per sandwich)
- 8 slices American cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil or beef tallow

Instructions

1. Preheat a heavy griddle or cast-iron pan over high heat until very hot; have a sturdy spatula ready.
2. Lightly season each 2 oz (57 g) ball with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Place 2–3 balls on the griddle per sandwich (work in batches), smash each ball immediately with the spatula to form thin patties and hold for 10–15 seconds to create a crisp edge.
4. Cook 1–2 minutes until edges brown and juices appear on the top, flip, then immediately top each patty with a slice of American cheese and cook 30–60 seconds until cheese melts.
5. Stack two cheese-topped patties per toasted bun, close, and serve hot.