Easy Smash Burgers

Yield: 4 burgers

Time: 15 minutes

Ever been to a restaurant that puts their “secret” or “special” sauce on a burger? Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s a 90% chance that that secret sauce is just a mixture of ketchup, mayo, and mustard. But it’s so good, right?! This recipe is a super simple at home smash burger that you can smother in special sauce then tell all your friends it’s your “secret” recipe. Top these burgers with whatever you got on hand, you can’t go wrong!

Burger Ingredients:

• 1 lb. 80/20 ground beef

• Kosher salt

• Black pepepr

• Garlic powder (optional)

• Neutral oil

• 4 hamburger buns (or your buns of choice)

• Unsalted butter

• Kewpie mayo

Sauce Ingredients:

• Ketchup

• Yellow mustard

• Kewpie mayo

• Bread & butter pickles

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced cheese (cheddar, Colby jack, pepper jack, etc)

• Lettuce

• Tomato

• Caramelized onions

• Avocado

• Red Onion

Special Equipment:

• Flat top grill/griddle, cast iron skillet, or cast iron crepe pan

• Grill press or any heavy flat object to press the burgers (I used a pan!)

Directions

Step One:

In a small mixing bowl whisk together equal parts ketchup, mayo, and mustard. Roughly chop about 1/3 cup of bread and butter pickles and mix. Taste for balance. It shouldn’t need any salt but feel free to add whatever seasonings you like! Set aside.

Step Two:

Season beef to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder if desired.

True smash purists say you only season the meat once it’s on the flat iron but I like to also season from within because that’s my business.

Step Three:

Separate meat into 4 equal pieces. Do NOT form them into patties. The more craggily edges you have the better the crisp!

Heat a flat top or skillet over high heat, brush with oil. Place each burger on the grill and press flat with grill press or pan. Sprinkle each patty with a pinch of kosher salt. Cook 2-3 minutes undisturbed, flip, and season other side with salt. Cook another 1-2 minutes or until desired doneness.

If adding cheese, place slice on patty for the last minute of cooking.

Step Four:

Spread a thin layer of mayo on buns. Melt a knob of butter onto flat top and toast mayo side down until golden.

Step Five:

Assemble! Spread a generous helping of special sauce onto bottom bun, place patty on sauce, top with desired toppings! I used lettuce, tomato, and caramelized onions, and of course an extra helping of special sauce. Enjoy!