Smash Burger Recipe with Easy Secret Sauce Recipe
This Smash Burger recipe delivers juicy, crispy-edged beef patties topped with melted American cheese and a flavorful, easy-to-make secret sauce. Using 80/20 ground beef, the patties are smashed on a hot grill or skillet to achieve the perfect sear, then layered on soft brioche buns with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions. The secret sauce combines mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice for a tangy, creamy finish that elevates the classic burger experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Burger Patties
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 brioche buns
Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Pickles
- Onions
Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat to ensure a hot surface ideal for smashing the patties and achieving crispy edges.
- Prepare Secret Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickle juice. Mix well until smooth and set aside to develop flavor.
- Form Patties: Divide the ground beef into four loose balls, then season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides for even flavor.
- Smash and Cook Patties: Place each beef ball on the hot grill or skillet and firmly smash down to create a thin patty. Cook for about 3 minutes or until crispy edges form and the bottom is well seared.
- Flip and Add Cheese: Flip the patties carefully, add a slice of American cheese on top immediately, and cook for an additional 1 minute until the cheese melts.
- Assemble Burgers: Spread the prepared secret sauce on both the top and bottom of each brioche bun. Layer with lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions, and the cheesy smashed patties. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Smashing the patties thin helps achieve a crispy crust while keeping the inside juicy.
- Preheat the cooking surface thoroughly to prevent sticking and to develop the characteristic crust.
- You can customize toppings based on personal preference or add pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Serve immediately as smashed burgers are best enjoyed fresh off the skillet or grill.
Keywords: smash burger, secret sauce, American cheese burger, crispy edges burger, brioche bun burger, easy burger recipe, classic American burger
