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Juicy smash burger with fresh toppings on a wooden board

Smash Burger

Enjoy thick, juicy patties with crispy bacon and melty cheese in this easy smash burger recipe; it's a quick and delicious meal perfect for any family.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Burger Patties
  • 24 ounces ground beef (80/20) Aim for an 80/20 blend for juicy burgers.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings
  • 8 strips bacon Cook until crispy.
  • 4 small onions, thinly sliced Cook with butter until browned.
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese Add on top of the burger patties.
  • 3 tablespoons butter Used for cooking onions.
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Used to grease the grill.
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce Brush on the burger for added flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. Portion the ground beef into 3-ounce sections and roll them into balls, resulting in 8 portions.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your flat-top grill to medium. Cook the bacon until crispy, about 8-10 minutes, then place on a paper towel-lined plate.
  2. Add the butter to the grill and let it melt.
  3. Toss in the onions, coating them in the melted butter. Season with a quarter of the seasoning mixture. Cook until they wilt and start to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Turn the heat to high and grease the flat-top with oil.
  5. Season the balls of meat with some of the seasoning mixture on top.
  6. Place the balls on the grill, seasoning side down.
  7. Using a piece of parchment paper and a weight, smash each ball down as thin as you can, focusing on the edges.
  8. Season the smashed side, and let it cook until lacy and brown around the edges, about 2 minutes.
  9. Carefully flip the patty over using a scraper.
  10. Brush the flipped side with BBQ sauce and immediately add a slice of cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
  11. For doubles, stack one patty on top of another.
  12. Remove from the grill and serve immediately with bacon and onions on your choice of buns.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge, or freeze cooked patties for up to a month. Allow meat to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking for optimal searing.