Do you know can you make smash burgers on a griddle? Griddle smash burgers are the best of both worlds. They’re half-pound, juicy burgers that cook like your mom used to make them on a griddle. And they’re made with smashed patties, which means they have an excellent crusty surface and juicy interior. We recommend giving them a shot soon if you haven’t tried these yet!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (we used 85/15)
- Four buns, split and toasted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
- Condiments of your choice! We like ketchup, mustard, pickles, and sauerkraut. And maybe some avocado if you’re feeling fancy.
Can You Make Smash Burgers On A Griddle | Procedure
Place the smashed burgers on the griddle and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes until done. You’ll know they are done when:
- The outside of your smash burger is golden brown but not burnt
- You can see that there is a light crust on each side
If you want to check if your smash burger has reached its full potential, stick two forks into it and open it up like an impromptu origami project to reveal the perfectly browned inside—a sign that it’s time to flip!
If you follow these steps, you’ll have some delicious burgers ready. Now you know, how can you make smash burgers on a griddle in a detailed procedure.
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Smash Burger Variations: Exploring Creative Options for Delicious Patties
There’s no limit to what you can do with smash burgers, and their versatility means there are lots of tasty variations. Let’s take your smash burger game to the next level with these options:
Cheese Lovers’ Paradise:
Choose from a variety of cheese options to elevate your smash burger. You can use classics like cheddar, Swiss, and American or you can go bold with blue cheese, goat cheese, or pepper jack. Every bite will be rich and creamy thanks to the melting cheese.
Veggie-Packed Bliss:
You can make your smash burger more nutritious by adding veggies. Make your ground meat a little more flavorful by adding mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or spinach. In addition to adding flavor, it also keeps the patty moist.
Stuffed Burgers:
You can stuff your smash burger with anything you want. For a unique twist, mix jalapeo slices and cream cheese, sautéed onions and Swiss cheese, or macaroni and cheese.
Breakfast-Inspired Smash:
With fried eggs, crispy bacon, and American cheese, you can transform your burger into a breakfast delight. Put some maple syrup or hot sauce on it for a sweet and savory combination.
Mediterranean Fusion:
Get Mediterranean with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and tzatziki sauce on your burger. Try it in a pita for a delicious fusion meal.
BBQ Extravaganza:
Make it a barbecue smash burger by slathering it in barbecue sauce and stacking it with onion rings, coleslaw, and melted cheddar cheese. It’s tangy, smoky, and delicious.
Teriyaki Twist:
You can top your burger with pineapple rings glazed in teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. You’ll get a sweet and savory feeling.
Tex-Mex Fiesta:
Add Tex-Mex toppings like guacamole, jalapeos, pepper jack cheese, and sour cream to spice things up. You’ll love the burst of flavors and the heat.
Surf and Turf Indulgence:
You can get the best of both worlds by adding seafood to your burger. For a luxurious surf and turf experience, top it with a crab cake, aioli, and lettuce.
Sweet and Spicy Delight:
A honey mustard sauce complements the sweet and spicy flavors of grilled pineapple and jalapenos. There’s a nice contrast of flavors.
Tips for Making the Perfect Griddle Smash Burgers
- Use a lump of good-quality meat. Your best bet is organic, grass-fed beef, but any good burger will work.
- Add salt and pepper to the meat before cooking it. Salt will help draw out moisture from the burger, which helps it cook faster, so you don’t have to wait for the patty to brown before you flip it over.
- Ensure your griddle is hot enough before laying down your patties—but not too hot! If it’s too hot, your burgers might burn on one side without properly searing through (which isn’t ideal). Once they hit the griddle look for some hot action and begin testing how they feel with your finger—you want them firm enough that they bounce back when pressed down with a spatula but still give off some heat when touched by hand. Also, keep in mind what kind of surface material you are using: cast iron holds heat longer than stainless steel or aluminum pans; thus, if using cast iron, make sure not to overheat them (a slight redness is okay!).
- Flip once! I repeat: only flip once! This will ensure that each side gets equal time on the pan as well as keeping juices inside where we want the most delicious fried toppings later on rather than outside where they will be lost and make for a dry burger. Don’t press the burgers with a spatula while cooking!
Griddle Smash Burgers Are Easy To Make And Packed With Flavor.
Griddle smash burgers are a great way to use up leftover vegetables. You can also add fresh vegetables or use the griddle for cooking veggies that you’ll chop and sauté. For example, if you’re making smashed burgers with mushrooms as your protein base, you have to sauté them on the griddle until they get nice and browned, then toss them in with the ground beef and seasonings!
This technique is also great for cooking eggs: crack open an egg onto your prepped pan, and cook it until it’s how you like it!
Customizing Your Smash Burgers: Flavorful Variations and Toppings
Smash burgers can be customized with flavorful toppings and variations. Here’s how to make griddled smash burgers even better:
Classic Cheeseburger:
When the patty is done, add a slice of your favorite cheese (American, cheddar, Swiss, or blue cheese) and let it melt over it. Cheeseburgers are classics when you top them with lettuce, tomato, onion, and ketchup.
Bacon Lover’s Delight:
On the griddle, cook bacon strips until they’re crispy before smashing your patty. Add the bacon to the smashed patty, then melt the cheese. Put lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on it for a mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger.
Spicy Southwest Twist:
Make your ground beef southwest-inspired by adding chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. You can top the smashed patty with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, jalapenos, and salsa.
Mushroom Swiss Smash:
You need to caramelize and tenderize mushrooms and onions on the griddle. Stack these savory toppings on your patty and melt your Swiss cheese. The gourmet mushroom Swiss burger is best served with garlic aioli.
Breakfast Smash Burger:
Put a fried egg, crispy bacon, and some American cheese on your burger patty for a breakfast-inspired burger. You can drizzle maple syrup or hot sauce on it for a sweet and savory twist.
Veggie Delight:
You can make a smash burger from plant-based patty if you’re vegetarian. Arugula, avocado slices, roasted red peppers, and hummus make this burger delicious and nutritious.
BBQ Bacon Ranch:
Stack your patty with cheddar cheese, bacon, and barbecue sauce, and then drizzle with ranch dressing. You can add some onion rings for extra crunch.
Hawaiian Luau Burger:
You can add grilled pineapple rings, teriyaki sauce, Swiss cheese, and shredded coconut to your patty for a tropical twist.
Mediterranean Fusion:
You can up your burger game by adding feta cheese, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, and tzatziki sauce. For a unique twist, serve it in a pita.
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The Griddle Advantage: Why Smash Burgers Shine on a Griddle
Smash burgers are incredibly flavorful and easy to make, so they’ve gained immense popularity. What makes them shine on a griddle? Here’s why griddles are the perfect tool for making smash burgers:
Maximum Surface Contact:
Griddles have a big, flat surface that makes sure the patty gets the most contact with the hot surface. A thin, crispy crust forms when you press the meat onto the griddle, creating a perfect balance between tenderness and deliciousness.
Even Heat Distribution:
The griddles distribute heat evenly, so you don’t get hot spots. By making sure every part of the patty cooks evenly, you can make a burger that’s perfect from top to bottom.
Caramelization and Maillard Reaction:
A hot griddle encourages caramelization of sugars in meat and the Maillard reaction, which creates a complex flavor web and a golden brown crust. You’ll get layers of deliciousness with smash burgers.
Retention of Juices:
You can make a great crust on the griddle and keep the juices in the patty. Even at high temperatures, your smash burgers stay juicy and tasty.
Quick Cooking Time:
You can whip up smash burgers in no time thanks to griddles that heat up fast. If you’re hungry and craving a satisfying burger but don’t want to wait, this speed is perfect.
Ideal for High-Volume Cooking:
Multiple smash burgers can be cooked at the same time on a griddle. A griddle can handle everything, from a family dinner to a backyard barbecue.
Easy Cleanup:
You don’t have to worry about cleaning a griddle since it’s flat and grease drains. Griddles usually have grease management systems that collect excess oil, so cleaning is easy.
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Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this recipe for griddle smash burgers. Remember, there are many ways to make them, which is up to you. Try out some of our tips and tricks and see which ones work best for your family. We hope now you know “can you make smash burgers on a griddle.”