Description
Smash-style burgers cooked in a skillet with melty cheese and crispy edges—these crack burgers are juicy, fast, and seriously crave-worthy.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio)
4 slices American cheese (or preferred melting cheese)
4 burger buns, toasted
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: sliced onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo
Instructions
Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Divide ground beef into 4 loose balls. Season with salt and pepper.
Melt 1 tbsp butter in the skillet. Place 2 beef balls and smash flat.
Cook 2 minutes undisturbed, then flip, add cheese, and stack with remaining beef balls.
Smash again, cook 1–2 more minutes, until cheese is melted and patties are cooked.
Toast buns with remaining butter until golden.
Assemble burgers with condiments, toppings, and patties. Serve hot.
Notes
Use cheddar, pepper jack, or add bacon/fried egg for variations.
Reheat patties in skillet or oven; toast fresh buns for best texture.
80/20 beef yields juiciest results with crisp seared edges.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American
