11 Smash Burger Recipes to Make at Home

Unless you’ve been hiding out in the hills you’ve probably noticed that Smash Burger recipes are all the rage these days. And for good reason! They’re juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and oh-so-messy in the best way.

If there’s a smashed burger on the menu you can bet that’s what I’m ordering. Unlike regular burgers, smashed burgers are loaded with texture and flavor that comes from “smashing” the meat patties into a thin, crusty burger over a hot griddle. And once you’ve had a good griddle burger you’ll understand why they’ve gained a cult-like following.

Today I’m sharing tips for the making the best smashed burgers, ingredient options, must-have kitchen gear to cook them like a pro and the best smash burger recipes I’ve found. 

If you’re looking for a more traditional-style burger, be sure to try my air fryer hamburgers and Greek burgers with feta cheese recipes.

Smash Burger Origins

According to The Daily Meal, the first smash burger was created about 60 years ago at Bill Culvertson’s Dairy Cheer diner in Kentucky. 

After placing meat patties on the grill, an employee applied pressure to them with a large bean, hoping they would cook more quickly. 

And that’s where the magic happened! Smashing the patty with a heavy object gave the meat more contact with the griddle. Which resulted in a those crispy edges we all love. When restaurants like Smashburger came on the scene they were introduced to a wider audience. And now you can make these tasty burgers at home any time a craving hits.

What makes a Smash Burger so good?

I love a good burger as much as the next person but these thin burgers with crispy edges are on a whole different level. Because the meat is smashed the patties are thinner than a traditional burger.

And that means more of the burger surface comes in contact with the hot griddle so you get a crispy crust like no other. And when cooked properly the inside is tender, juicy and flavorful. If you’ve got a Blackstone griddle, now’s the time to fire it up – it’s perfect for making these thin, crispy burgers.

​The Best Meat for Smashed Burgers

Just like with regular hamburgers, it’s important to use a good quality ground beef for the most flavorful burgers. Look for fresh beef in the meat department at your grocery store, staying away from the tubes of mystery meat and frozen burgers. And if you have a friendly butcher this is the time to splurge a little and get a fresh beef grind. 

While a fattier 80/20 blend is a popular choice when making traditional burgers I prefer to use a slightly leaner blend like 85/20 or even 90/20 for smashed patties. The leaner meat tends to hold together better when smashing and you still get a rich, flavorful bite. 

Best Buns for Griddle Burgers

The bun can make or break your burger experience. Look for sturdy, soft buns that can hold up to the juicy patties without falling apart. My go-to is a Brioche bun because the richness of the bread elevates the burger and it holds up really well to the patties and toppings.

You can also use potato buns or try sesame-seed buns for that old school diner vibe. Stay away from breads that are too chewy or hard – they just don’t play well with the thinner burgers.

Our Favorite Toppings and Sauces for Burgers

Griddle-smashed burgers are typically served up with basic toppings like melted cheese, pickles, onion slices and sometimes a special sauce. But when you make these tasty bites at home you can serve them up any way you want to. These are some of our favorites:

• Cheeses: American is the obvious choice because it’s so gooey when it melts. Or get creative and use Swiss, pepper jack or provolone.
• Veggies: whatever veggies you use, you’ll want to make sure they are thinly sliced. If you want to go beyond the basic onion and pickle try adding shredded iceberg lettuce or thin tomato slices.
• Sauces: this is my favorite part of any burger. Ketchup and mustard are the standard but I love using my homemade Big Mac sauce for burgers.
• Out of the box toppings: take your burgers to the next level by adding a couple slices of crispy bacon or a fried egg if that’s your jam.

Tips for the Perfect Smash Burger

While they are simple to make there are a couple of tricks to ensure you get the best burgers every time. 

• Make sure your pan or griddle is smoking hot – the high heat creates the signature crust.
• Basic technique: roll the beef into balls, place on the hot pan, cover with parchment paper then press down hard for 10 seconds until the patties are thin. The thinner the patty the more lacy edges you’ll get.
• Don’t crowd the pan or you’ll end up with steamed burgers instead of crispy ones. 
• Use a heavy duty spatula or burger press for easiest smashing.
• Press just once – smash the beef ball and hold it for 10 seconds, then leave it alone. Do NOT smash again after flipping or you’ll lose all those tasty juices. 

​Level Up Your Smash Burgers

• Don’t forget to butter the buns and toast them until golden brown. This adds more flavor, texture and helps the buns hold up to the juicy burgers and toppings.
• I use a basic Monterrey Steak seasoning blend with salt, black pepper and garlic powder when I make burgers at home. 
• For the perfect melt, add the cheese slices right after you flip the burgers.
• Go for a double stack – the patties are thin and you won’t regret it.

​Essential Tools for Smashing Burgers

You don’t need anything fancy but these gadgets will help you achieve the best results.

• Cast iron skillet or flat griddle: these hold the heat the best and make searing a breeze. If you have a Blackstone, it’s your best friend for making larger batches or feeding a crowd.
• Heavy, flat spatula: to press the burger balls and scraping the edges.
• Burger press (optional): will give your patties a more consistent thickness.
• Parchment paper squares: I place a square of paper between the beef and the burger press or spatula to prevent sticking. You can cut down larger pieces of parchment paper or if you’re lazy like me just by the pre-cut squares.

What to Serve with Smash Burgers

The right side dish turns burger night into a feast. The classic choice is French fries but it’s always fun to have extra options at the table. Some of our favorite burger sides are sweet potato wedges, homemade coleslaw, air fryer onion rings, and even a zesty Italian pasta salad.

Are you ready for burger night? Grab one of the best smash burger recipes from my blogging friends and give it a whirl. Make your burger, add your toppings and see what all the hype is about!