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Smash Burgers · Classic Double

Diner-Style Double Smash Burgers

Thin patties smashed onto a screaming-hot skillet for crispy, lacy edges, stacked with melty cheese and a tangy burger sauce. Diner magic at home in 20 minutes.

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Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Serves
4 · 4 double burgers
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Burger sauce

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard

Burgers

  • 1 ½ lb ground chuck, 80% lean, cold
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 8 slices American or cheddar cheese
  • 4 hamburger buns, soft
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, for the buns
  • pickles, sliced onion, lettuce, tomato (optional)

Cook to 160°F inside (check with a thermometer).

Steps

  1. Stir together the sauce ingredients. Divide the beef into 8 loose balls (3 oz each) without packing them, and keep them in the fridge.
  2. Spread butter on the cut sides of the buns. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and toast the buns cut side down until golden. Set aside.
  3. Turn the heat to high and let the skillet get very hot, about 3 minutes. Turn on your vent fan.
  4. Put 2 or 3 beef balls in the pan, lay a square of parchment on one and smash it flat with a sturdy metal spatula, pressing hard to about 1/4 inch thick. Peel off the paper and repeat. Season the tops with salt and pepper.
  5. Cook without moving until the edges are deeply browned and crispy.
  6. Scrape under each patty with the spatula to keep the crust, flip and top with a slice of cheese. Cook until the cheese melts and the patties reach 160°F (71°C).
  7. Stack two patties on each bun, add sauce and toppings and serve right away. Repeat with the remaining beef.

Tip: Smash once, within the first 30 seconds. Pressing again later just squeezes out the juices.

Tip: Ground beef should always be cooked to 160°F. Thin smashed patties get there fast, so check one with a thermometer.

Storage: Best right away. Refrigerate cooked patties up to 3 days and reheat until hot.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 870 calories · protein 41 g · carbohydrates 26 g · fiber <1 g · sugars 6 g · fat 66 g (saturated 25 g) · sodium 1,680 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 10 of 10 ingredients.