Smash Burger Recipe
Recipe: https://recipestripper.com/recipes/dbd37369-e0b6-4ce8-ac6f-f5e35a72283c
Original source: https://sugarspunrun.com/smash-burger/
Recipe image: https://sugarspunrun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Smashburger-1-of-1.jpg

With a caramelized crust and plenty of melty cheese, this is my restaurant-quality smash burger recipe! Just 10 minutes to make on the stove and includes a simple burger sauce too!
Yield: 4
Prep time: PT5M
Cook time: PT5M
Total time: PT10M

Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoons sweet relish
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil (avocado, canola, vegetable, or even olive oil)
- 1 lb 80-85% ground beef
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 4 burger buns
- Sliced cheese (if desired)
- Toppings: Lettuce (tomato slices, onion slices, pickle chips, and/or other desired toppings)

Instructions
1. [For the Sauce] Whisk together mayo, ketchup, relish, and smoked paprika until well-combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use for burgers.
2. [Burgers] Prepare the patties: Line a plate with wax paper. Divide beef into four equal (4oz/113g) pieces. Use your hands to loosely form each into a round ball. Do not overwork the meat, just gently form it into a ball.
3. [Burgers] Season and chill: Place meatballs on a wax paper lined plate and sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper. Keep cold in fridge or freezer while you preheat your pan.
4. [Burgers] Prepare the pan: Drizzle a teaspoon of oil over a cast iron pan and use a paper towel to smear it evenly over the surface. Turn heat to medium-high and heat until pan is smoking.
5. [Burgers] Smash the burgers: Add a ball of meat to the pan. Immediately use your burger press or large spatula to firmly press straight down on the burger and smash it flat (if using a spatula, grip a mallet and use that to help you press into the burger, see photo in post for visual if needed). If meat sticks to the press, you may place a square of parchment paper over it before flattening.
6. [Burgers] Cook for approximately 1 minute, until a crust has formed on the burger (avoid the temptation to re-squish the burger or flip it early!). Sprinkle with more salt and pepper while it cooks.
7. [Burgers] Flip. Use spatula to scrape up the burger (you want to be sure to scrape up all the caramelized crust and not leave anything behind), flip, and add a slice of cheese if desired. Cook through (approximately 45 seconds longer). Transfer burgers to a clean plate and cover with foil while you toast the buns.
8. [Burgers] Toast the buns: Immediately add butter to the hot pan. Once melted, turn off pan and place burger buns cut-side down on the skillet and cook briefly, until warm and toasted on the bottom.
9. [Burgers] Assemble & enjoy: Spread burger sauce onto toasted buns, top with burgers and any additional desired toppings and enjoy immediately.