Smash Cheeseburgers

Thin, crispy-edged beef patties with melted cheese, diner style.

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 10 min · Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80 percent lean)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 slices American cheese
• 4 hamburger buns
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• Dill pickle slices, thinly sliced onion and shredded lettuce

Instructions

1. Divide the beef into 8 loose balls, 2 ounces each. Do not pack them tightly.
2. Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard to make the sauce.
3. Butter the buns and toast them cut side down in a skillet until golden.
4. Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Place 4 balls in the pan and immediately press each one flat with a sturdy spatula.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, until the edges are deep brown and crisp.
6. Flip, top each with a slice of cheese, and cook for 1 minute, until the cheese melts and the patties reach 160°F.
7. Repeat with the remaining beef. Stack two patties on each bun with sauce, pickles, onion and lettuce.

Tip: Press hard in the first 30 seconds only. Pressing later squeezes out the juices.