Crispy Classic American Smash Cheeseburgers
A quick and easy recipe for crispy, juicy smash cheeseburgers with melty American cheese and soft toasted buns, perfect for BBQs and casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices American cheese (Velveeta or store-brand)
- 4 soft potato or brioche burger buns
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Thinly sliced tomatoes
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Pickles (dill or bread-and-butter)
- Ketchup (optional)
- Yellow mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your cast iron skillet or heavy-duty nonstick pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until smoking hot.
- Divide the ground beef into 4 equal balls, about 4 oz (113 g) each, handling gently to avoid overworking.
- Lightly season both sides of each beef ball with salt and pepper just before cooking.
- Place a beef ball in the hot skillet, then immediately press down firmly with a sturdy spatula or burger press until the patty is about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. Hold pressure for 10-15 seconds to form a crispy crust.
- Cook the patty without moving it for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown, crispy crust forms.
- Flip the patty carefully and immediately place a slice of American cheese on top. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and the second side is cooked through.
- While the burgers finish cooking, spread softened butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast them in a separate pan or oven until golden and slightly crisp, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Assemble the burger by placing the cheeseburger on the bottom bun, then add preferred toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Notes
Use cold beef and handle gently to keep patties tender. Preheat pan well for crispy crust. Press firmly but briefly to avoid drying out the burger. Flip only once and add cheese immediately after flipping. Toast buns with butter for extra flavor. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: smash burger, cheeseburger, crispy burger, American cheese, BBQ burger, quick burger recipe, classic burger