Ingredients
- Ground beef (80/20 for juiciness), 500 g
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Neutral oil (sunflower or canola), a few drops
- Burger buns, 4, split
- Cheddar or American-style cheese slices, 4
- Onion, very thinly sliced, optional
- Butter, a small amount for toasting buns
Instructions
- Divide the ground beef into 4 loose balls (about 125 g each). Do not overpack.
- Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over high heat until very hot; lightly oil the surface.
- Place beef balls on the hot surface and immediately smash flat with a sturdy spatula.
- Season with salt and pepper; cook 1–2 minutes until deep brown and crispy edges form.
- Flip once, add cheese, and cook 30–60 seconds until melted.
- Toast buns lightly with butter in a separate pan or on the griddle.
- Assemble burgers with patties and optional onions; serve immediately.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Optional tips
- For extra crust, press the patty only once and don’t move it while cooking.
- A very hot pan is key to achieving the signature smash burger flavor.