Smash Burger

While we were taking a road trip cross country, we stumbled upon this burger joint in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As I watched my husband take a bite and saw his eyes roll into the back of his head, I just knew he was a fan. This was back in 2012. There were no Smash Burgers in California that we were aware of. When we got home we did realize they had one in San Diego. Since then, we got one in Thousand Oaks and we have been back. Both locations are quite the drive, so I wanted to attempt this at home. My husband was a fan. Happy to know I can make Smash Burger at home! Check out the how to video below.

Yields: 3 large burgers

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

BURGER INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound ground beef - I used 96% lean, 4% fat

3 large hamburger buns

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Optional toppings: Sliced red onion, Sliced tomato, Fresh lettuce, pickles, Crispy bacon, Sliced cheddar cheese

BURGER SEASONING: 
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt such as Lawry’s or garlic salt

SPECIAL BURGER SAUCE:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons pickle juice
1 tablespoon diced pickle

HELPFUL EQUIPMENT: 2 Cast Iron Skillets, one small and one large or a cast iron burger smasher

DIRECTIONS: 

For sauce, dice pickle very fine and stir ingredients together. Store in refrigerator until needed.

For seasononing, combine the 3 ingredients and shake to combine. Can store in seasoning container for months.

Portion out three 6-oz. burgers and roll them into loose balls.

Heat your large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes until it's very hot. While it's heating prepare the second cast iron skillet (smaller) and wrap some foil around the bottom of it. Or just use a burger smasher.

When you're ready to cook a burger, add some butter to the hot pan and let it melt. Then add a burger ball and press it down hard with the second skillet. Try to press down straight from above so create an even circle. Press down on the burger for 10 long seconds. Metal to metal.

Remove the top skillet and season the burger with seasoning mix. When the juices start to bubble up from the burger, flip it slowly. There should be a sear on the bottom. 

If you're adding cheese, add it after the flip and cover the burger with a metal bowl to steam the cheese.

Cook the burger on the second side until the burger reaches 165 degrees F. in the center, about 90 seconds or so. Total cooking time will be about 1.5 minutes per side. 3 minutes total for a medium rare burger.

Serve the burger on a toasted bun with your favorite sauce and condiments. 

French Fries & Fry Sauce Recipe:  
http://neighborchicks.blogspot.com/2014/09/double-fried-french-fries.html

Helpful burger prepping video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g4Kkc0jXWk

Burger Smasher: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/smash-n-sear-burger-tool/

Inspired by: http://www.macheesmo.com/2013/10/smashed-burger/

Visit a Smash Burger near you: http://locations.smashburger.com/