When we think of a smash burger, we think of a classic restaurant with a burger grilled on a flat top grill. Grease and fries in the air, and a sloppy plate at the end of the meal. Please, yes!
Smash Burgers, served on a golden-brown, crispy bread and topped with gooey cheese and all of your favorite sweet and savory toppings, will offer you joy no matter the season! The process of smashing the hamburger on the grill with a large spatula or bacon press gives it its name.
You’ll never go back once you’ve learned how to cook a smash burger! This quick and simple burger is juicy and not overly thick, with crispy edges and crust. To prepare the ultimate smash burgers, you’ll need a few techniques. A large spatula is essential. You can also use a grill press. Simply avoid using a spatula with holes on the top.
The grilling surface is another key to making outstanding smash burgers. These cannot be cooked on standard grill grates. They fall through the gaps, causing flare-ups, and that will not work. You can substitute a griddle or cast-iron skillet for your typical grill. Flat top grills are ideal for smashing burgers if you have one.
This Juicy Smash Burger Recipe is incredibly simple to make and has a deliciously crispy crust! The most delicious flat top griddle burger is made from super thin burgers topped with seasonings and cheese! Enough with the introduction. Let’s get started on making the flavor-packed taco smash burger on a flat top grill.
How to Make Pico De Gallo for Taco Burgers
Contents
The Pico de Gallo Burger tastes just how it looks. It is quite simple to prepare. Pico de Gallo is always made using fresh, chopped ingredients. It’s less moist, and it lends a great chunky texture and substance to tacos and other dishes.
Ingredients
- Ripe red tomatoes
- White onion
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Chopped garlic and
- Salt
- Burger buns of choice
In a bowl, add diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, cilantro, chopped garlic, and the juice of 1/2 a lime. Toss together all of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least a couple hours before serving.
How to Make Chorizo Taco Smash Burgers
Ingredients
- Ground beef (1⅓ cups)
- Chorizo (⅔cup)
- 2-3 slices cheddar cheese
- (2 Tbsp) canned chopped green chilis
Toppings for Taco Smash Burgers
- Sour cream
- Lettuce
- Avocado slices
- Cheese slices
- Pickles(optional)
- Tomato slices
- Pica de Gallo
Instructions
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Step 1: Get Your Flat Top Grill Ready
Preheat a cast iron griddle to 400-425 degrees F and place the griddle (or pan) over the direct heat. This allows browning to occur. Browning actually burns before the burger is done at temperatures above 450 degrees.
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Step 2: Prepare Chorizo Burgers
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chorizo, and taco seasoning. Mix the beef mixture with your hands until evenly blended, then form the beef mixture into 4 big meatballs, about 4 ounces each.
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Step 3: Preheat Your Flat Top Grill and Place Your Burger Balls on It
Assemble the ground beef ball on the hot flat top grill for about 2-3 minutes to let the beef fat to drain out, which is necessary because we haven’t put any oil to the grill yet. When you break down your burgers, the fat from the burger balls will act as the frying agent, so your taco smash burgers will essentially be cooking in their own savory chorizo-beef. Then, using your burger press or spatula, firmly press down to flatten the patties. Take care not to pierce your meat. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to simmer. The burger’s thin thickness and hot griddle create a crispy crust texture on the outside. Cook undisturbed (once is enough), until the edges are browned, about minutes.
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Step 4: Flip Chorizo Burger and Keep Cooking Until Done
When the sides begin to brown, or when you can see browning on the bottom of the burger, it’s time to flip. Remember, you can only do this one. If you smash it thin enough, there’s no need to shatter it again. Then sprinkle with the cheese and cover with your covering tool. This will finish the steak with steam and swiftly melt the cheese. After 2 minutes, the burger should be done and the cheese melted. The burger will shrink as it cooks. This will take approximately 6 – 8 minutes to complete. Remove the burger and prepare your toppings.
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Step 5: Assemble Your Chorizo Smash Burgers
It’s time to put your burgers together. Place the sauce on both sides of the buns and top with lettuce, Pico de Gallo, avocado slices, sliced tomatoes, and red onion slices. Top with the patty and cheese slices, fill the bottom bun with pickles and then the top with the toasted buns. Grab a bite! Your burger is ready!
Taco Smash Burger Recipe
Taco Smash Burger Recipe
This smash burger recipe is so easy to make, as it delivers juicy tender beef with melted cheese on top. The main idea behind Smash Burgers is to take a large handful of minced beef, loosely packed so that you don't wind up with a beef-puck, and pound it into a very hot, flat surface. Then, using a spatula, squash the lump of steak as flat as you can to get that thin patty to have that crispy touch.
Ingredients
- Breads - Buns of your preference
- Cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Ground beef (1⅓ cups)
- Chorizo (⅔cup)
- Ripe red tomatoes
- White onion
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Chopped garlic and
- Salt
- (2 Tbsp) canned chopped green chilis
- Lettuce
- Avocado slices
- Pickles(optional)
- Pica de Gallo
Instructions
- Combine the ground beef, chorizo, and taco seasoning in a large mixing basin.
- Mix the beef mixture with your hands until it is uniformly blended.
- Form the beef mixture into 4 big meatballs, about 4 ounces each, with your hands.
- Place the patties in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes and up to 24 hours (covered).
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or flat-top grill to medium-high.
- Cook the ground beef ball for roughly 2-3 minutes on a hot flat top grill.
- Then, using your burger press or spatula, firmly press down on the patties to flatten them.
- Make sure not to pierce the meat. Set aside to simmer and season with salt and pepper.
- Allow the patties to brown and crust on the bottom for about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the burgers and top with cheese; cook for 2 minutes for medium-rare to medium-medium burgers or 3 minutes for medium-medium-well burgers.
- This will take about 6 to 8 minutes to complete. Prepare your toppings while the burger is removed.
- It's time to assemble your burgers. Place lettuce, Pico de Gallo, avocado slices, sliced tomatoes, and red onion slices on both sides of the buns and top with the sauce. Top with the meat and cheese slices, then the bottom bun with pickles and the toasted buns.
- Your taco smash burger is ready.
Notes
- If you don't have the ideal spatula for smashing burgers, use a plastic pancake spatula and pound it with the back of a wooden spoon! No expensive equipment, such as heavy smashers used in restaurants, are needed.
- Do not pack the meat balls together when making them. Roll them loosely into balls to make them simpler to smash.
- Select your bread/ bun carefully, as it can enhance the flavor of your burger.
- On the grill, you'll need a level surface. To cook more at once, use a large cast iron skillet or a flat cast iron griddle.
- Because these burgers cook quickly, it's best to make them one at a time. If you're creating numerous burgers, keep them warm beneath a foil tent while you make the next ones.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 2 burger pattiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 520Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 999mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 25g
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary depending on cooking methods and ingredient brands utilized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To produce good smash burgers, use ground chuck or 80% lean ground beef; anything leaner will result in dry burgers. Before cooking, make sure the patties are completely cold. When you put the burgers in the pan, smash them quickly and don’t smash them again.
A smash burger is made by pressing a hamburger patty with a heavy spatula onto a flat top grill. The patty will be thinly crushed and produce a crispy tasty brown crust, which is its finest feature.
Conclusion
Basically, a smash burger is made by pressing ground beef thinly onto a hot griddle. The pressing flattens the food and accelerates the cooking process. After flipping once, the burger is topped with cheese and covered to steam the smash burger and melt the cheese.
It is then placed on a bun with your preferred toppings. The outside is crusty and crunchy. There are no spices, mix-ins, or other ingredients. They’re fairly straightforward. Just a little salt & pepper and you are good to go and have your tasty and luscious burger.