Smash burgers are the popular type of burger that is known for their crispy edges and juicy center.
Smash burger has gained popularity in recent years. The name comes from the process of smashing the ground beef onto the cooking surface, creating a thin patty with crispy edges and a juicy center.
One of the keys to making a great smash burger is to use high-quality ground beef that has a good ratio of fat to lean meat. An 80/20 blend of ground beef (80% lean meat and 20% fat) is a popular choice because it results in a juicy, flavorful burger.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make smash burgers:
Ingredients:
- Ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Hamburger buns
- Cheese (optional)
- Toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes.
- Divide the ground beef into small, palm-sized balls (around 2-3 oz. each).
- Generously season one side of each ball with salt and pepper.
- Using a flat spatula or a large, sturdy metal object (like a heavy-duty metal scraper), place one ball onto the skillet and press down firmly with the spatula until it’s about 1/4 inch thick.
- Let the patty cook for about 2-3 minutes until the edges start to crisp up and turn brown.
- Using the spatula, scrape under the patty and flip it over.
- Immediately add cheese to the patty, if using.
- Let the patty cook for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the burger is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the burger from the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining ground beef balls.
- Toast the hamburger buns on the skillet for a few seconds until they are lightly browned.
- Assemble the burgers with your desired toppings and enjoy!
Note: Don’t press down on the patty too hard or too long, or it will become too thin and dry out. Also, avoid overcrowding the skillet or griddle with too many patties at once, or they won’t cook evenly.
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