Crispy Classic American Smash Burgers Recipe Easy Homemade Special Sauce
A quick and easy recipe for crispy smash burgers with a tangy homemade special sauce, perfect for casual gatherings and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- Salt and pepper, to season
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 soft hamburger buns or potato rolls
- 1 tablespoon butter, softened
- Special Sauce:
- 1/4 cup (60ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon dill pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Optional toppings: thinly sliced onions, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickles
Instructions
- Prep the special sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls, about 4 ounces (113g) each. Loosely pack to keep the burgers tender.
- Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-duty griddle over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until very hot.
- Butter the insides of the buns lightly and toast them on a separate pan or the edges of the skillet until golden and slightly crispy. Set aside.
- Place one beef ball on the hot skillet and smash it down firmly into a thin patty about 1/4 inch (6mm) thick using a metal spatula. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook without moving for 2-3 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- Flip the patty, place a slice of cheese on top, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and burger is cooked through.
- Repeat with remaining patties, cooking in batches if needed to maintain heat.
- Assemble the burgers by spreading a generous spoonful of special sauce on the bottom bun, adding the cheesy patty, then preferred toppings, and capping with the top bun.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
Do not press down on the burgers after flipping to avoid squeezing out juices. Use a very hot skillet for a crispy crust. Season patties immediately after smashing. Toast buns while skillet heats. Special sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, omit cheese or use plant-based alternatives and vegan mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: smash burgers, classic burger, homemade special sauce, crispy burger, easy burger recipe, American burger