Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce
Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water
For the Special Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean, divided into 8 equal balls
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 8 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns, split
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Caramelized Onions: In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and softened. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan and scrape up any browned bits. Continue cooking until the liquid evaporates and the onions are tender and sweet. Set aside.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
Make the Special Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet relish, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Preheat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. While the griddle heats, divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls, about 3 ounces each.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Cook the Smash Burgers: Place 2-3 beef balls onto the hot griddle, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Immediately use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash each beef ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season the top side of the patties generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the bottom is deeply seared and a crust has formed. Flip the patties. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each cooked patty. Cook for another 30-60 seconds, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through. Remove the cooked patties to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Toast the Burger Buns: While the last batch of burgers cooks, lightly toast the split burger buns on the griddle until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can toast them in a toaster.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Assemble the Smash Burgers: Take the bottom half of a toasted burger bun. Spread a generous amount of the prepared burger sauce on the bun. Place one cheese-covered smash burger patty on top of the sauce. Add a spoonful of caramelized onions. Place a second cheese-covered smash burger patty on top of the onions. Add another layer of burger sauce. Cover with the top half of the toasted bun to complete the burger. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 6 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce
For the Caramelized Onions
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water
For the Special Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean, divided into 8 equal balls
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 8 American cheese slices
- 4 burger buns, split
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Caramelized Onions: In a large skillet or pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and softened. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan and scrape up any browned bits. Continue cooking until the liquid evaporates and the onions are tender and sweet. Set aside.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
Make the Special Burger Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet relish, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Preheat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. While the griddle heats, divide the ground beef into 8 equal balls, about 3 ounces each.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Cook the Smash Burgers: Place 2-3 beef balls onto the hot griddle, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Immediately use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash each beef ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season the top side of the patties generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until the bottom is deeply seared and a crust has formed. Flip the patties. Immediately place one slice of American cheese on top of each cooked patty. Cook for another 30-60 seconds, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through. Remove the cooked patties to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Toast the Burger Buns: While the last batch of burgers cooks, lightly toast the split burger buns on the griddle until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can toast them in a toaster.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Assemble the Smash Burgers: Take the bottom half of a toasted burger bun. Spread a generous amount of the prepared burger sauce on the bun. Place one cheese-covered smash burger patty on top of the sauce. Add a spoonful of caramelized onions. Place a second cheese-covered smash burger patty on top of the onions. Add another layer of burger sauce. Cover with the top half of the toasted bun to complete the burger. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 6 min