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Ultra-Smashed Cheeseburger

J. Kenji López-Alt · Serious Eats
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Illustration created with AIGenerated with ImagineArt (Nano Banana)

Two thin 2 oz patties instead of one 4 oz, with cheese between them. Double the browned surface for the same amount of beef.

BeefSmash
The recipe

How to make it

1 serving
Makes1Time10 minSourceJ. Kenji López-Alt · Serious Eats

Ingredients

Burger

  • 4 oz freshly ground beef chuck, rolled into two 2 oz balls
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 slice American or other good melting cheese
  • 1 soft hamburger roll, buttered and toasted
  • Toppings as you like: mayo, mustard, shredded lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles

Method

  1. Set up the bottom bun with your toppings first; the burger cooks in about a minute.
  2. Heat a stainless steel skillet over high heat for 2 minutes.
  3. Add both balls and smash them flat with a stiff spatula, pressing with a second spatula for extra force, to slightly wider than the bun. Season.
  4. Cook about 45 seconds, until well browned and the tops show pale spots. Scrape them up with every bit of crust.
  5. Flip, put the cheese on one patty, stack the other on top and move straight to the bun.

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