Smash Burgers with Fried Egg and Bacon
Smash Burgers with Fried Egg and Bacon
Ingredients
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend
- 8 slices bacon, thick-cut
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 4 hamburger buns, brioche or potato
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or other high-smoke point oil
For the Toppings (Optional)
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickles, sliced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, as needed
- 2 tablespoons mustard, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. While the skillet heats, divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each) and gently form them into loose balls. Do not pack them tightly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
Add the bacon to the hot skillet and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet, discarding any excess.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Lightly butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns. Place the buns cut-side down in the hot skillet and toast until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the buns and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Increase the heat to high. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet (if needed, to ensure enough fat for smashing). Place two beef balls in the skillet, leaving space between them. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each beef ball and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash them down into thin patties, about 1/4-inch thick. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Cook the smashed patties for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip the patties, immediately place a slice of American cheese on each, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Repeat with the remaining two beef balls.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Crack the eggs into the skillet, being careful not to break the yolks. Cook for 2-3 minutes for runny yolks, or longer for more set yolks, until the whites are set. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Assemble the burgers: Place a cooked patty on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with two slices of crispy bacon, then a fried egg. Add any desired optional toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, or mustard. Place the top bun on and serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Smash Burgers with Fried Egg and Bacon
For the Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend
- 8 slices bacon, thick-cut
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 4 hamburger buns, brioche or potato
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or other high-smoke point oil
For the Toppings (Optional)
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickles, sliced
- 2 tablespoons ketchup, as needed
- 2 tablespoons mustard, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. While the skillet heats, divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each) and gently form them into loose balls. Do not pack them tightly.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
Add the bacon to the hot skillet and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet, discarding any excess.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Lightly butter the cut sides of the hamburger buns. Place the buns cut-side down in the hot skillet and toast until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the buns and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Increase the heat to high. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet (if needed, to ensure enough fat for smashing). Place two beef balls in the skillet, leaving space between them. Immediately place a piece of parchment paper over each beef ball and use a sturdy spatula or burger press to firmly smash them down into thin patties, about 1/4-inch thick. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Cook the smashed patties for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms on the bottom. Flip the patties, immediately place a slice of American cheese on each, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Repeat with the remaining two beef balls.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Crack the eggs into the skillet, being careful not to break the yolks. Cook for 2-3 minutes for runny yolks, or longer for more set yolks, until the whites are set. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Assemble the burgers: Place a cooked patty on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with two slices of crispy bacon, then a fried egg. Add any desired optional toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, or mustard. Place the top bun on and serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min