Like most everyone else, we can’t seem to get enough of the smash burger, with a lacy griddled patty (or two, actually, to maximize that crispy exterior). But, like drinking an Aperol spritz, cooking it is best done outside. Our grilled version won’t smoke out your kitchen, blanket your stove with grease, or ask you to spend even one more minute of this sweet summer night indoors. We found that a three-ounce patty hits the sweet spot: big enough to fill out the bun when smashed but small enough that two patties aren’t overkill.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare a grill for high heat. Place a cast-iron griddle, flat side up, on grate; heat until very hot, at least 20 minutes.
Step 2
Mix together pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, adobo sauce, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl; set special sauce aside.
Step 3
Divide beef into eight 3-oz. portions (don’t form into patties). Place 4 portions between 2 sheets of parchment paper, spacing 6" apart, and, using a meat mallet or skillet, firmly smash to create thin patties, about 5" across. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining portions and fresh parchment paper.
Step 4
Wrap all the buns together in a large sheet of foil to make a packet (this will keep buns soft and from getting too toasted on the grill). Place packet on grate and grill, turning once, until buns are warmed through, about 1 minute. Spread sauce over cut sides of buns. Place 3–4 pieces of lettuce on bottom buns and top each with some onion and a tomato slice, if using.
Step 5
Drizzle oil over griddle and use paper towels to evenly coat surface. The oil needs to be hot; you should see smoke almost instantly. Season patties lightly with salt. Place 4 on griddle, seasoned side down, and season top sides lightly with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until outer edges are brown and undersides are very crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and place a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Cook until cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. Transfer patties to buns with toppings, stacking 2 patties on each bun. Repeat with remaining 4 patties, scraping off any cheese stuck to griddle in between batches.
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Reviews (9)
Back to TopThis method gives you a lot of taste in a small amount. Burgers are crispy but juicy without a lot of meat...just the way I like them. The patties should be very thin, less than 1/2 an inch with ragged edges. I used the backside of a small plate to flatten and it worked great. Didn't have time to make the sauce but sounds yummy as pickles can make a big difference.
mksweh
Rye, NY
8/23/2019
Hate people who write reviews w/o trying recipe, but after checking nutritional info, feel morally obligated to tell readers up front (shouldn’t Epicurious?) that consuming this delicious-sounding concoction may result in cardiac arrest, seriously ... each burger = Calories 3213, Carbs 223g (74% RDA), Fat 179g (275%), Sat Fat 58g (288%), Sodium 3146mg (131%), Cholesterol 481mg (160%). Should have warning: Could be hazardous to your health! (Prefer no forks, but couldn't submit this comment without choosing at least one.)
Cambridge, MA
8/31/2019
Perhaps it's because I'm from Chicago, but I found this burger a delicious (and yes, decadent) option for a lazy summer dinner with my family. I love vegetables, eating healthy and daily physical activity the majority of the time, but you also have to let go and enjoy life, fat and a good burger once in a while. Prepared exactly to the recipe's specs, this burger received rave reviews from an all-ages crowd. The sauce did have a kick to it, though not overly spicy. My only warning here is that it can get to be a little messy, bring extra napkins to the table!
Anonymous
Chicago, IL
9/1/2019
Update to my earlier review beginning "Hate people who write reviews w/o trying recipe." Apologies, but I missed the fact that the Nutritional Info was for FOUR servings, not one! Still very high calorie, but 803 is certainly better than 3213 calories! Apologies.
Anonymous
Cambridge, MA
9/1/2019
This dunce literally left TWO one fork reviews because they A. Couldn't understand the nutrition facts, and B. Felt it was necessary to bring the rating down FURTHUR by trying to look less like they're a monkey using the internet for the first time. As a follow up, the "nutritional info" for these are usually decently wrong, especially in cases like this. They are robotically generated, and don't realize the oiling your pan with 2 Tablespoons of oil doesn't mean you drain out the oil and down shots of it before eating your burger. Next time, don't be one of those people who "write reviews w/o trying recipe". It makes you look like someone who thinks one average burger has 3000 calories.
Anonymous
Kansas City, MO
9/11/2019
Tasted great and that sauce was amaaaziiiiing!!!! Would definitely make this again.
Trashpanda420
San Diego, California
9/12/2019
Teenagers loved this. The sauce and cheese and double stack... a big hit.
maxandbebe@me.com
Pensacola, FL
9/23/2019
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