Get ready to revolutionize your burger experience! This isn’t just any hamburger; it’s the ultimate Blackstone Smash Burger, featuring intensely caramelized, crispy edges and an irresistibly juicy center. Perfect for summer grilling sessions, these burgers are surprisingly easy to make and cook up in mere minutes, transforming your backyard into a gourmet burger joint.
Imagine sizzling beef patties on a scorching hot Blackstone flat-top griddle, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. You might think such culinary masterpieces are reserved for your favorite burger restaurant, but with our straightforward technique, you can master the art of the smash burger right in your own backyard. The secret lies in using ground beef with the perfect fat ratio and ensuring your griddle is screaming hot, ready to deliver that signature sear.
Blackstone Smash Burgers are renowned for their unique qualities. As the thinly pressed patties hit the searing surface, their delicate edges transform into a lacy, crispy crust, bursting with concentrated beefy flavor. The intense heat locks in the juices, leaving the center incredibly moist and tender. This combination of crispy exterior and succulent interior is what makes the smash burger an unparalleled culinary delight. Get ready to impress your family and friends; once you try these homemade Blackstone Smash Burgers, you’ll never go back to ordinary patties!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Blackstone Smash Burgers
- Explosive Flavor and Texture: These thin burgers boast incredibly crispy, caramelized edges and a profoundly beefy, juicy interior. Every bite is a flavor adventure!
- Effortlessly Delicious: A truly easy burger to master, these smash burgers consistently deliver crowd-pleasing results that everyone raves about.
- Superior to Restaurant Versions: Achieve a taste and quality that rivals, or even surpasses, your favorite burger joints. Plus, you get to customize them with all your preferred toppings!
- Lightning-Fast Cooking: From raw beef to ready-to-eat in under 10 minutes, making them perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impromptu gatherings.
What Exactly Are Blackstone Smash Burgers?
Blackstone Smash Burgers are a culinary phenomenon defined by their preparation method. They consist of small, roughly 2-ounce balls of ground beef that are dramatically smashed thin onto a preheated, high-temperature flat-top griddle, such as a Blackstone. This aggressive smashing technique maximizes surface contact with the hot griddle, leading to an accelerated Maillard reaction. The result is a patty with intensely caramelized, deeply savory sides and distinctively crispy, lacy edges, while the interior remains remarkably juicy. They are typically served as double or even triple patties on soft, toasted buns.
How Long Does It Take to Make Blackstone Smash Burgers?
One of the greatest advantages of Blackstone Smash Burgers is their incredible speed. Because they are cooked thin on a scorching hot griddle, they cook remarkably fast. From the moment the patty hits the griddle to when it’s ready to flip and then serve, the entire cooking process can be completed in as little as 4-5 minutes per patty. Factoring in prep time for forming the beef balls and assembling your toppings, you can have a gourmet smash burger ready in under 15 minutes!
The Essential Ingredients for Perfect Smash Burgers
Creating the perfect smash burger requires simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that coveted flavor and texture profile.
- Ground Beef: This is the star of the show. Opt for an 80/20 ground beef blend (80% lean, 20% fat). The higher fat content is absolutely essential for creating those signature crispy, caramelized edges and keeping the patty incredibly juicy. Leaner beef will result in a dry, less flavorful burger with a minimal crust.
- Salt: Simple yet critical. Kosher salt is preferred for its coarser texture, which adheres well to the patty and provides a balanced seasoning.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper offers a superior aroma and flavor compared to pre-ground varieties. It adds a subtle spice that complements the rich beef.
- Onion Powder: A fantastic flavor enhancer that adds a savory depth without the moisture of fresh onions (which would inhibit the crust).
- Garlic Powder: Similar to onion powder, garlic powder provides a foundational layer of savory, aromatic flavor.
- Buns: The foundation of any great burger. Look for soft, bakery-fresh burger buns that can stand up to the juicy patties without falling apart. Potato buns are a classic choice, offering a slight sweetness and excellent texture. Brioche buns also work wonderfully for a richer experience.
- Toppings: This is where you can truly personalize your smash burger! Common favorites include sliced tomato, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, creamy mayonnaise, and classic ketchup. Don’t be afraid to experiment with grilled onions, bacon, a fried egg, or a special burger sauce for an elevated experience.
Essential Equipment You’ll Need
While the ingredients are simple, having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving smash burger perfection.
- A Heavy Bacon or Burger Press: This is non-negotiable for achieving that ultra-thin, crispy patty. A heavy, flat press (like a cast iron bacon press) is ideal for applying even, firm pressure. Look for one that is robust enough to truly flatten the beef without it sticking. My personal favorite is a round, heavy cast iron press that works perfectly for both keeping bacon flat and achieving the ideal smash.
- Parchment Paper: Crucial for preventing the ground beef from sticking to your burger press. Do NOT use waxed paper, as it can melt and stick to your burger under the high heat. Parchment paper forms a protective barrier, allowing you to smash the patties incredibly thin without any mess or tearing.
- Sturdy Metal Spatula/Scraper: An extra-wide, sturdy metal spatula with a thin, sharp edge is invaluable for scraping the cooked patties off the griddle, ensuring you capture every bit of that delicious, crispy crust.
How to Make the Best Blackstone Smash Burgers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to create restaurant-quality smash burgers at home. Consistency and high heat are your best friends here!
- Preheat Your Griddle: Turn your Blackstone griddle to high heat. Allow it to preheat thoroughly for at least 10-15 minutes. The griddle needs to be screaming hot to achieve the perfect sear. Use as many sections as needed, depending on your griddle’s size and the number of patties you’re cooking.
- Prepare the Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well. This simple seasoning blend enhances the natural beef flavor without overpowering it.
- Form the Beef Balls: Divide your pound of 80/20 ground beef into eight equal 2-ounce balls. Gently form them, but avoid overworking the meat, as this can lead to tough burgers. Place them on a plate, ready for smashing.
- Place on Griddle: Once the griddle is blazing hot, carefully place a beef ball onto the cooking surface. Immediately lay a piece of parchment paper over the top of the beef ball.
- The Smash: Using your heavy burger press, firmly and quickly press the beef ball down onto the griddle until it is very thin, about ¼ inch thick. Hold the press down for 10-15 seconds to ensure maximum contact and a great crust. Repeat this process for each patty, replacing the parchment paper if it starts to stick or tear.
- Season Generously: Once smashed, sprinkle a pinch of your prepared seasoning blend over the top of each patty.
- Sear and Flip: Allow the patties to cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes. You’ll see the edges turn deep brown and crispy, and juices will start to pool on top. Use a sturdy metal spatula to scrape underneath the patty, ensuring you get all that delicious crust, and flip it. Immediately sprinkle the other side with seasoning.
- Cook Second Side: Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until that side is also beautifully caramelized and crispy. If adding cheese, place a slice on top immediately after flipping so it has time to melt perfectly.
- Assemble and Serve: While the second side cooks, quickly toast your burger buns on a cooler part of the griddle for about 30 seconds until lightly golden. Place two patties on a toasted bun, layer with your favorite toppings, and serve immediately for the ultimate smash burger experience!
Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for Smash Burger Success
Achieving smash burger perfection is easy with a few insider tricks:
- Don’t Rush the Flip: If your smash burgers are sticking to the griddle, they’re not ready to flip. Give them another 30 seconds to a minute of cooking time. The crust needs to fully form and release naturally from the surface. Forcing it too early will tear the patty and leave delicious bits behind.
- Embrace the Fat: Always use an 80/20 blend of ground beef. The fat renders, creating steam that cooks the patty and helps develop those incredibly crispy, flavorful edges. It also prevents the thin patty from drying out.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: This is a game-changer! Always place a piece of parchment paper between the raw patty and your burger press. This prevents sticking, allowing you to achieve an ultra-thin smash without any frustration.
- Double Up for Authenticity: Authentic smash burgers are almost always served with two thin patties per bun. This creates a better meat-to-bun ratio and doubles the delicious crispy edges.
- Consider Grilled Onions: For an extra layer of flavor, thinly slice some onions and grill them alongside your burgers until soft and caramelized. They are a classic smash burger topping.
- Toast Your Buns: A quick toast on the griddle adds texture, warmth, and prevents the bun from getting soggy from the juicy patties and condiments.
- Flavor Boost with Special Sauce: Elevate your burgers with a homemade special sauce! This copycat Animal Sauce is a fantastic choice that adds a tangy, creamy kick.
- Turn it into a Bacon Smash Burger: Cook some crispy bacon on the griddle while your burgers are cooking. Layer it on top of your patties with melted cheese for an irresistible Bacon Smash Burger.
Recommended Recipes for Your Griddle
Once you master the smash burger, expand your Blackstone griddle skills with these fantastic recipes:
How Are Smash Burgers Different from Regular Burgers?
The distinction between a smash burger and a regular, thicker burger lies primarily in their preparation technique, which drastically alters their texture, flavor, and cooking time. A **Smash Burger** is made by taking a loose ball of ground beef and forcefully pressing it onto an intensely hot griddle. This high-heat, high-pressure method achieves several key outcomes:
- Thinness and Surface Area: Smash burgers are significantly thinner than regular burgers, maximizing the surface area that comes into direct contact with the searing heat of the griddle.
- Crispy, Lacy Edges: This maximized surface contact, combined with the fat rendering out, creates a glorious, caramelized crust with delicate, crispy, lacy edges that are packed with concentrated beefy flavor.
- Juicy Interior: Despite being thin, the quick, high-heat cooking locks in the moisture, resulting in an incredibly juicy interior.
- Well-Done Cook: Due to their thinness, smash burgers are almost always cooked to a well-done internal temperature, but without sacrificing juiciness thanks to the rapid cooking and fat content.
- Seasoning Application: The seasoning is typically applied *after* the patty is smashed onto the griddle, ensuring it adheres directly to the caramelized crust.
In contrast, **regular burgers** are formed into thicker patties and cooked more slowly, often on a grill or in a skillet, to ensure even cooking throughout the thicker meat. They tend to have a less developed crust and a more uniform texture. Regular burgers also allow for various degrees of doneness, from rare to well-done, which is less common for the ultra-thin smash burger.
Make It a Complete Meal: Perfect Pairings for Your Smash Burgers
A phenomenal smash burger deserves an equally impressive supporting cast of side dishes and condiments to truly make it a memorable meal. Beyond our recommended Animal Sauce, consider these pairings to elevate your backyard feast:
- Classic Fries or Onion Rings: You can never go wrong with crispy, golden French fries or perfectly battered onion rings. Their salty crunch provides a delightful contrast to the rich burger.
- Griddle-Cooked Vegetables: For a healthier, yet still delicious, option, utilize your Blackstone for sides like Blackstone Griddled Asparagus, which gets wonderfully tender-crisp, or perfectly grilled corn.
- Creative Corn Dishes: Spice things up with Grilled Elote Corn Ribs, offering a smoky, cheesy, and zesty kick. Or try the savory goodness of Bacon Fried Corn.
- Fresh Salads: A vibrant Potato Salad with Herbs or a crisp coleslaw can add a refreshing balance to the richness of the burger.
- Sweet and Savory Accompaniments: Don’t overlook unique sides like Sweet and Spicy Smoked Pineapple for an unexpected burst of flavor that pairs surprisingly well with beef.
- Beverage Pairings: A cold, crisp lager, a refreshing lemonade, or even a classic milkshake are ideal companions to a hot, juicy smash burger.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftover Smash Burgers
It’s a rare occurrence to have leftover smash burgers, as they are usually devoured instantly! However, if you do find yourself with extra patties, they can be stored and repurposed. Place any leftover patties in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooked patties for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
When reheating, you have a few options: gently warm them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or pop them into the microwave for a quick reheat (though this may compromise the crispy texture). Reheated burger patties are also excellent crumbled into dishes that call for ground beef, such as chili, tacos, or casseroles, adding a wonderful pre-seasoned flavor.
Visual Guide: Step-by-Step Smash Burger Process
Blackstone Smash Burgers Recipe
Loaded with flavor thanks to the special seasoning and a cooking technique that results in thin, crispy caramelized edges, Smash Burgers are something truly special! Easy to make and ready in a jiffy, these tasty hamburgers will definitely up your burger game.
Recipe Details
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Keyword: blackstone griddle, blackstone smash burgers, hamburgers, smash burgers
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield & Nutrition
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 413 kcal per serving
Author
Chef Jenn
Equipment
- 1 heavy bacon press or hamburger press
- Parchment paper (NOT waxed paper)
- Sturdy metal spatula/griddle scraper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground preferred)
- 4 hamburger buns (bakery-fresh)
- Favorite toppings (tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese, bacon, special sauce, etc.)
Instructions
- Fire up your Blackstone griddle to high heat. Allow it to preheat thoroughly for 10-15 minutes. Use as many sections as you need based on your griddle’s size and the number of patties.
- Make the seasoning by combining the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Form the ground beef into 8 equal 2-ounce balls.
- Add a beef ball to the hot griddle. Place a piece of parchment paper over the top of it.
- Press the ball down firmly and quickly with a burger or bacon press until the patty is quite thin (about 1/4 inch thick). Hold the press down for 10-15 seconds. Repeat for each patty, replacing the parchment paper if it starts to stick.
- Sprinkle a generous pinch of the seasoning over the top of each smashed patty.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until a deep, crusty brown forms on the bottom and juices begin to pool on top. Use a sturdy metal spatula to scrape underneath and flip the burgers.
- Immediately sprinkle the other side with seasoning. If adding cheese, place a slice on top of each patty. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the second side is also crispy and the cheese is melted (if using).
- While the burgers cook, lightly toast your buns on a cooler part of the griddle for about 30 seconds.
- Serve the cooked patties (we recommend two per bun!) on a bakery-fresh bun with your favorite burger toppings. Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 burger | Calories: 413 kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1452mg | Potassium: 376mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 4mg
A Note on Nutritional Information: Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Want More Delicious and Easy Recipes for Your Griddle?
If you’ve enjoyed mastering these smash burgers on your Blackstone, there’s a whole world of griddle cooking waiting for you. Expand your repertoire with these other fantastic and easy recipes that are perfect for outdoor cooking:
- Cooking Steaks on a Blackstone Griddle: Achieve Restaurant-Quality Steaks at Home
- How to Make Peameal Bacon: A Canadian Breakfast Classic
- Smoked Lamb Chops: Tender, Flavorful, and Perfectly Cooked
- Smoked Eye of Round: A Lean and Flavorful Roast
- Smoked Shotgun Shells: A Creative and Delicious Appetizer
Happy Griddling!