Classic Smash Burgers with Special Sauce
Thin, lacy-edged beef patties smashed on a hot skillet, melted with American cheese and stacked on toasted buns with pickles, lettuce and a tangy homemade burger sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Serves
- 4
Keep the beef cold until the moment it hits the pan and press hard in the first 10 seconds, as that’s what builds the crisp crust. Check the labels on your ketchup, mustard and relish to be sure they have plain ingredient lists.
Method
-
Stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, vinegar and paprika to make the sauce. Chill until needed.
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Butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until golden, about . Set aside.
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Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until smoking hot. Place 2 beef balls in the pan, spaced apart, and immediately press each flat with a sturdy spatula to about 1/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
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Cook for without moving, until the edges are dark and crisp. Scrape under each patty, flip, top with a slice of cheese, and cook more until melted. Repeat with the remaining beef.
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Spread sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer lettuce, tomato and pickles on the bottoms, stack two patties on each, and close with the tops. Serve right away.
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