Description
This Juicy Smashed Patty Burger with Secret Sauce recipe delivers a perfectly crispy, flavorful burger with a tangy, creamy secret sauce. Using an 80/20 ground beef blend, the patties are smashed on a hot skillet to create a delicious crust while keeping the inside juicy. Topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles on toasted buns, this classic American burger is quick and easy to make, perfect for a satisfying meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Patty
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for ideal juiciness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Secret Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
For Assembling the Burger
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Tomato slices
- Thinly sliced onions
- Pickle slices
Instructions
- Prepare the Secret Sauce: In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until well combined. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld and enhance.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a skillet over high heat until very hot. Divide the ground beef into four equal-sized balls. Season each ball generously with salt and pepper. Place each beef ball onto the hot skillet and immediately smash it down with a spatula or burger press to form thin patties. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, or until a crispy, caramelized crust forms. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until fully cooked through.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spread a generous amount of secret sauce on the bottom half of each toasted burger bun. Layer fresh lettuce leaves and a slice of tomato on top of the sauce. Place the hot smashed beef patty over the vegetables, then add thinly sliced onions and pickle slices. Top each burger with the upper half of the bun. Serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio for juicy burgers.
- Smashing the patty ensures a crispy crust and deeper flavor through the Maillard reaction.
- Chilling the secret sauce before assembling helps the flavors develop better.
- Toast the buns lightly to prevent sogginess from the sauce and juiciness of the patty.
- Feel free to add cheese slices during the last minute of cooking for a cheeseburger variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
