Ingredients:

  • 8 oz (225g) Ground Beef, 80/20 blend (chuck is ideal)
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) Black Pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 Brioche Buns, or potato buns
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 2 slices American Cheese (or Cheddar, Swiss, etc.)
  • 1/4 cup (25g) Yellow Onion, thinly sliced
  • Pickles, dill or sweet
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Lettuce, shredded
  • Tomato slices

Instructions:

  1. Gently form the ground beef into two loose balls. Do not overwork the meat! Season generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Brush the cut sides of the buns with melted butter.
  3. Heat your skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until screaming hot. The pan should be smoking slightly.
  4. Place a patty on the hot skillet. Immediately cover with a piece of parchment paper. Use a flat spatula or burger press to aggressively smash the patty as thin as possible (about 1/4 inch thick).
  5. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until a crispy, lacy crust forms around the edges.
  6. Use your metal spatula to scrape underneath the patty, releasing it from the skillet. Flip the patty.
  7. Immediately place a slice of cheese on top of each patty.
  8. While the cheese melts, add the buttered buns, cut-side down, to the skillet to toast until golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside.
  9. Place the cheeseburgers on the bottom buns. Add your desired toppings (onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato). Top with the other half of the bun.
  10. Serve Immediately. Enjoy your perfectly smashed burger!