How To Make Smash Burgers - Crispy Juicy Perfection

There's something truly special about a smash burger, isn't there? That incredible, having a nice crunch, browned to a sweet finish outer edge, paired with a full of savory liquid inside part, makes for a burger experience like no other. It’s a quick-cooking marvel, too, it's almost, that you’ll want to savor the moment it comes off the warm flat cooking surface, making a soft hissing sound with its juices and with cheese wonderfully melted and soft.

This simple yet incredibly satisfying way of preparing a burger has captured the hearts of many home cooks and restaurant goers. It’s about getting that perfect browned surface, that delicious outer layer that gives so much taste. You really just need a few basic things, and a hot frying pan, to make these at home, you know?

We’re going to walk through the main idea of making these delicious, slim patties. From how to shape the meat to what tools work best, and even some fun ideas for different versions, we’ll cover it all. You'll soon be making your own tasty smash burgers that everyone will remember, so.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Smash Burger So Good?

Have you ever wondered what makes a smash burger different from other burgers? It’s pretty simple, actually. A smash burger is a slim patty that gets pushed down onto a very warm cooking surface. This pushing down, or "smashing," creates a lot of contact between the meat and the heat. That contact is what gives you those wonderful browned small pieces, which turn into a truly tasty outer layer. This outer layer gives the burger a pleasing feel and plenty of good taste that you don't always get with a thicker burger, you know?

The idea behind the smash burger, in some respects, became quite well-liked thanks to a certain hamburger group of restaurants. They really showed everyone how much flavor you could get from this way of cooking. It’s all about that quick preparation time, which means the meat gets a delicious browned finish without drying out. The way it gets that great outer layer is what truly sets it apart, giving it a unique character that's hard to beat, very.

Getting Ready to Make Smash Burgers - Your Prep Checklist

Before you put them on the heat, it’s really helpful to have everything close by. This way, the moment your meat shapes come off the warm cooking surface, you’ll be prepared to put together your burgers without delay. This helps you get the most from the hot, fresh taste. Having all your food items, your cheese, and any extra items ready to go means you can work without interruption, which is pretty important for these quick-cooking delights, so.

Think about your burger sauce, for example. You’ll want to stir everything together for that ahead of time and put it to the side in the fridge. This makes sure it’s cool and ready when the burgers are done. Getting everything organized beforehand makes the whole process smooth and enjoyable, you know, rather than rushing around when the patties are ready. It’s a small step that makes a big difference, actually.

How to Make Smash Burgers - The Patty Perfection

The main idea of making a good smash burger is to work without delay and savor the taste while the burgers are still warm off the cooking surface. Their juices will be making a soft hissing sound, and the cheese will be wonderfully melted and soft. The way of doing things, the mixture of meats, the things you put on top, and the equipment you need are all part of making these at home, very. It's an easy and quick way to get delicious burgers in a very short time.

Forming the Meat for Your Smash Burgers

You only need minced beef, cheese, baking paper, and a warm flat cooking surface or frying pan to create full of savory liquid and having a nice crunch burgers in minutes. When it comes to the meat, a good choice is minced shoulder meat, perhaps with some flavor additions and cheese on a hot frying pan. The key is the meat itself, you know? You’ll want meat with a minimum of twenty percent fat. This fat helps keep the burger full of savory liquid and adds plenty of good taste as it cooks.

First, you’ll want to split up your minced beef into individual amounts, about two ounces each. You can get about eight of these from a typical package of meat. Then, gently shape each amount into a round shape. This is where a common mistake can happen: don't squish together too much! You want to gently shape them into a ball, making sure to not tightly pack the meat. If you pack it too much, you might end up with a less tender burger, which is something we want to avoid, basically. Once they’re shaped, keep them cool until you’re ready to cook, that is that.

Smashing Your Way to a Better Burger

The name "smash burger" tells you a lot about how it’s made. These burgers are pushed down onto a hot cooking surface to create that well-known having a nice crunch outer layer and a full of savory liquid inside part. If you have one, a patty squasher can help you flatten the burgers without bumps, which makes for a better cooked burger. The secret is to get your cooking surface really warm. We suggest warming up your frying pan for a complete three minutes before adding the meat, so.

Once your pan is very warm, put a meat ball onto it. Then, using your patty squasher (or even a strong spatula and baking paper), push down firmly on the meat ball until it's a slim patty. The goal is to get as much of the meat in contact with the hot surface as possible. This is what creates that browned to a sweet finish outer layer. An important tip: try not to push down on the burgers another instance after you’ve turned them over. Pushing down more than once can squeeze out the good juices, making your burger less full of savory liquid, which we don't want, obviously.

Adding Flavor - How to Make Smash Burgers with Great Toppings

After you’ve turned over your burgers, that’s the perfect moment to add cheese. I mean, a thin piece of dairy makes everything better, right? I personally like to use one and a half thin pieces of dairy per burger to get that really wonderfully soft texture. Let the cheese sit on the hot patty for about two to three minutes, or until the burgers are prepared to your preferred level, which is typically cooked to the middle. Because these burgers are so slim, you don't have to use a thermometer to check their internal temperature. If the burger has a nice browning on the outside, it’s probably ready to enjoy, you know.

Beyond the cheese, the things you put on top can truly make your smash burger experience special. Think about fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, or even some pickled onions. And don't forget that burger sauce you made earlier! A good sauce can tie all the tastes together, giving your burger an extra layer of deliciousness. The beauty of the smash burger is its straightforwardness, but that doesn't mean you can't add your own personal touches with different things you put on top, that is that.

What Tools Do You Need to Make Smash Burgers?

While you can certainly make a smash burger with just a frying pan and a sturdy spatula, having a few specific pieces of equipment can make the process even smoother and more enjoyable. For instance, a patty squasher is really helpful for getting that even, slim shape. There are many kinds out there, some are circular and just the right form for a burger, which makes them quite easy to use. I've seen some that are like the one you see in my photo, but there are also types I'd prefer to own, that are perhaps a bit more comfortable to handle, you know?

Beyond the patty squasher, a good, heavy warm flat cooking surface or cast iron frying pan is essential. The heavier it is, the better it holds heat, which is important for getting that quick, hard sear. A sturdy metal spatula is also a must for scraping up those browned small pieces and for turning over the patties. Some people find specific extra items for their outdoor cooking surfaces to be their most liked equipment for making smash burgers, so, it really depends on what you like to use, basically.

Are There Different Ways to Make Smash Burgers?

Absolutely! While the core way of doing things stays the same, there are many different versions you can try to keep things interesting. For example, a popular idea is to use two meat portions and two dairy sheets, which gives you twice the taste. This creates a taller, more satisfying burger experience. Or, for something a little different, you could place a small amount of broken blue cheese on top of the patty and let them soften while the burger finishes cooking. This adds a nice tangy flavor that pairs well with the rich meat, you know?

You can also play with the flavor additions you use on the meat, or even mix in some finely chopped onions or garlic into the mince before shaping it. Just remember the simple guidelines for burgers: use meat with a minimum of twenty percent fat, use a nice mix of meat sections or just minced shoulder, ideally prepared right away. And hold off on adding salt or other flavorings until your meat shapes are ready. Following these simple guidelines will help you create a delicious and satisfying smash burger every time, in a way.

Tips for the Best Smash Burger Experience

Making a smashed burger is quite easy once you get the hang of it, you know. Just follow these simple guidelines. The main idea is that your cooking surface is quite warm. You want your burgers to have a crunchy exterior yet be soft inside, so make sure your pan is really warm. We suggest warming up your frying pan for a complete three minutes before adding the meat. This ensures the surface is hot enough to create that immediate browned finish, which is what gives the smash burger its unique character, pretty much.

Remember, smash burgers are slim and get ready in a very short time, often just a couple of minutes per side. This quick cooking means you need to be ready to put things together as soon as they’re done. Having your buns toasted, your things you put on top sliced, and your sauce ready will make for a smooth transition from cooking surface to plate. The whole point is to savor them while they're hot and fresh, with all those good juices still flowing. It's a simple pleasure, really, that delivers big on taste, so.

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