Gooey Cheese Smash Burger
Gooey Cheese Smash Burger
Ingredients
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 chuck
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 16 white American cheese slices
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, freshly ground, as needed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, dill pickle relish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional hot sauce. Whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the beef patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Gently form each portion into a loose ball; do not compress them too much. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper on all sides.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Preheat your cooking surface: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetable oil and spread it evenly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Toast the buns: Brush the cut sides of the brioche buns with melted butter. Place the buns cut-side down on the hot skillet/griddle and toast until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Melt cheese onto buns: Place 2 slices of white American cheese on the cut side of each toasted bun half (4 slices per burger total). Return the bun halves to the skillet, cheese-side up, or place them under a broiler for 30-60 seconds until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Remove and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Smash and cook the patties: Place the seasoned beef balls onto the very hot skillet, leaving space between them. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each ball and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash each ball down into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season the top of the smashed patties with more salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Flip and finish patties: Carefully scrape under each patty with the spatula to release it from the skillet, then flip. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until cooked through. Remove patties from the skillet.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Assemble the burgers: Place one cooked patty on the bottom bun half (which should have melted cheese). Drizzle generously with the special sauce. Top with the other bun half (also with melted cheese). Gently press the burger together to encourage the cheese to meld.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Serve immediately: Enjoy your gooey cheese smash burgers while hot and the cheese is still wonderfully stretchy!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Gooey Cheese Smash Burger
Ingredients
For the Special Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 chuck
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 16 white American cheese slices
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, freshly ground, as needed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, dill pickle relish, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional hot sauce. Whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the beef patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Gently form each portion into a loose ball; do not compress them too much. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper on all sides.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Preheat your cooking surface: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetable oil and spread it evenly.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Toast the buns: Brush the cut sides of the brioche buns with melted butter. Place the buns cut-side down on the hot skillet/griddle and toast until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Melt cheese onto buns: Place 2 slices of white American cheese on the cut side of each toasted bun half (4 slices per burger total). Return the bun halves to the skillet, cheese-side up, or place them under a broiler for 30-60 seconds until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Remove and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Smash and cook the patties: Place the seasoned beef balls onto the very hot skillet, leaving space between them. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each ball and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash each ball down into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Season the top of the smashed patties with more salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Flip and finish patties: Carefully scrape under each patty with the spatula to release it from the skillet, then flip. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until cooked through. Remove patties from the skillet.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Assemble the burgers: Place one cooked patty on the bottom bun half (which should have melted cheese). Drizzle generously with the special sauce. Top with the other bun half (also with melted cheese). Gently press the burger together to encourage the cheese to meld.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Serve immediately: Enjoy your gooey cheese smash burgers while hot and the cheese is still wonderfully stretchy!